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MUSEUM PREPARATOR

Posting Begin Date: 2025/09/26

Posting End Date: 2025/10/13

Category: Museum

Work Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: 24.08

Maximum Salary: 26.91

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Description

Museum Preparator

Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

About Us:

The Idaho State Historical Society is a trusted guide through the state’s history and how it has shaped every aspect of our lives, our land, our communities, our government and our people. Created in 1881 and established as a state agency in 1907, the Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS) is an extraordinary system of cultural and historic resources comprised of the Idaho State Museum, Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historic Preservation Office, Old Idaho Penitentiary and Historic Sites Program.

Be part of an organization that makes History every day! Join a highly motivated team in a fast-paced environment dedicated to inspiring, enriching and engaging all Idahoans by leading the state in preserving, sharing and using history and cultural resources relevant to today to inform and influence the future.

Summary:

The Preparator preforms exhibition and gallery installations/deinstallations and maintenance, works directly with permanent collections for exhibition, transportation, and storage, builds exhibit components, and manages media-based interactive components in our galleries. This position also supports the Capitol Curation Program as directed.

The typical work schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with monthly required prescheduled evening work sessions.

Job Responsibilities:

Installation and Maintenance of Exhibit Spaces

+ Collaborates in a team environment to create superior quality exhibits.

+ Enhances in house capacity for fabrication and repairs of exhibit components.

+ Installs and deinstalls temporary and traveling exhibitions.

+ Selects materials, tools, and equipment to be used in exhibit construction.

+ Operates woodworking, metalworking, and painting equipment.

+ Maintains proper inventory of Collections & Exhibitions program hand tools and power equipment, and orders supplies, and equipment as needed.

+ Designs, fabricates, and maintains exhibit platforms and furniture such as risers, plinths, pedestals, and Plexiglas vitrines.

+ Designs, repairs, and replaces mechanical interactive components.

+ Collaborates with colleagues to prepare, hang, and install historical objects and art for exhibition which may involve cleaning or execution of minor repairs.

+ Maintains exhibits and gallery spaces within museum buildings.

+ Sets lights to illuminate exhibit galleries within preservation metrics.

Digital Interactives and Associated AV Devices

+ Maintains permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibition interactives, including 46 digital multimedia-based components.

+ Collaborates with appropriate IT staff and contracted vendors.

+ Troubleshoots, deploys, and manages media based interactive content.

+ Coordinates performance of preventative maintenance and accountable for facilitating software and hardware updates as recommended by vendors to ensure ongoing functionality of interactives.

+ Tracks and maintains projectors, monitors, computers, and other AV equipment used in exhibitions.

+ Serves as the primary point of contact for contracted exhibit vendors.

Collections Stewardship

+ Works with the ISHS permanent collection of historic artifacts, including handling, transporting, packing/unpacking, and assessing the physical stability of objects for exhibition or long-term storage.

+ Handles artifacts with the highest standard of safety and care by hand and using powered and unpowered machines such as forklifts, electric stackers, hand trucks, and pallet jacks.

+ Prepares custom mounts for artifacts using archival materials such as Ethafoam, wood, metal, and more using hand and power tools.

+ Designs and fabricates custom crates, cribbing, and other solutions for long-term storage or transportation of artifacts.

+ Select appropriate materials to be used in storage, transport, or exhibition housing.

+ Performs basic record keeping in a museum collections management database.

+ Contributes to the staffing and security of museum collections management facilities, with other Collections & Exhibitions team members.

General

+ Works at heights using elevated platforms, such as ladders, scissor lifts, and other approved equipment.

+ Provides support to agency public programs and outreach efforts as assigned.

+ Some weekend and/or evening hours may be scheduled.

+ Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Some knowledge of:

+ Media-based interactives, AV equipment, including projectors, monitors and computers cabinet or exhibit construction and installation, including finish carpentry-Typically, this is gained through completion of formal training (such as in a vocational technical school) with media-based interactives, AV equipment, including projectors, monitors and computers, cabinet or exhibit construction and installation, including finish carpentry; OR 6 months to one year of professional work experience with media-based interactives, AV equipment, including projectors, monitors and computers, cabinet or exhibit construction installation, including finish carpentry.

Good knowledge of:

+ Materials used for construction of cabinets, exhibits, or displays, and restoration methods of exhibits and artifacts-Typically, this is gained through completion of formal training (such as in a vocational technical school) including practical training and hands-on experience becoming familiar with materials used for construction of cabinets, exhibits, or displays and restoration methods of exhibits and artifacts; OR two years of professional work experience with construction materials of cabinets, exhibits, or displays.

Experience:

+ Cleaning, repairing, painting, and refinishing surfaces using various power tools, welders, grinders, and painting equipment-Typically, this is gained through completion of formal training (such as in a vocational technical school) including practical training and experience using this equipment OR at least two years of professional work experience performing all the following with cleaning, repairing, painting, and refinishing surfaces using various power tools, welders, grinders, and painting equipment.

+ Performing minor building and site maintenance on electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems- Typically, this is gained through completion of formal training (such as in a vocational technical school) including practical training and experience performing minor building and site maintenance on electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems. OR at least two years of professional work experience performing minor building and site maintenance on electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

+ Artifact handling and storage standards- Typically gained by at least 1-2 years of work experience or training with artifact handling and storage standards.

+ Designing, fabricating, repairing, and maintaining collections storage and exhibition components- Typically gained by at least 1-2 years of work experience or training with designing, fabricating, repairing, and maintaining collections storage and exhibition components.

Knowledge of:

+ AMX systems- Typically gained by working knowledge of using AMX systems or similar audio video systems.

+ Museum exhibition fabrication materials, including visualize, sketch design storage projects, and exhibit mounts- Typically gained through at least one (1) year of experience assisting with exhibition fabrication materials, including visualize, sketch design storage projects, and exhibit mounts.

+ Curatorial practices and collections storage- T ypically gained through at least three credits of related upper-division coursework, OR at least one (1) year of work experience in following curatorial practices and collections storage standards.

+ Reading of blueprints or schematics-Typically gained through one (1) year of work experience reading blueprint or schematics while in the course of working.

Supplemental Information:

+ Lift, carry, and otherwise manipulate objects weighing 90 pounds by hand or with proper lifting equipment; work in confined spaces while bending, stooping, or climbing ladders with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email[email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.