Collections Cataloguer (Part-Time)

 

The Museum of the City of New York fosters understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the world’s most influential metropolis. It engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the city’s past, present, and future. Founded in 1923, the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY) showcases the city’s unique stories and cultural treasures. The country’s first and largest city museum, MCNY presents immersive exhibitions and programs at the intersection of history, popular culture, and art to 200,000 people annually, including 30,000 students and educators, fostering shared identity, civic pride and engagement, and social cohesion for New Yorkers. MCNY has been recognized as one of the leading museums in New York City by publications such as Condé Nast Traveler and the New York Times, with Time Out New York awarding MCNY “Best Museum” in New York in 2021.

The Museum of the City of New York seeks a Collections Cataloguer to work in their Collections Department.  Working in close collaboration with the Collections Department, this position will support a data cleanup initiative aimed at improving the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of object records in the museum’s collections management system, TMSCollections.  In this capacity, the position involves reviewing, standardizing, updating metadata, as well as pulling objects to align with institutional and industry standards and data integrity.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Audit existing object records in the collections database for accuracy and completeness.
  • Correct inconsistencies in terminology, formatting, and data fields according to established guidelines.
  • Standardize artist names, object titles, dimensions, and other descriptive elements using controlled vocabularies.
  • Identity and resolve duplicate records and missing information.
  • Attach and verify images and object documentation, ensuring proper file naming and rights metadata.
  • Document changes and maintain clear logs of updates for project tracking.
  • Ensure data accuracy and consistency according to museum standards and best practices.
  • Retrieve and return objects from storage in accordance with collections care and object handling protocols, including the use of appropriate supports, materials, and personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, mounts, archival tissue), to facilitate physical verification and cataloguing with assistance from Collections Manager.
  • Maintain confidentiality and security of sensitive collection data.
  • As time allows, assist in ongoing inventories at the direction of the Collections Manager.
  • Cultivate a collaborative and thoughtful work environment that yields success and productivity.
  • And other duties as assigned.

 

A successful candidate will have:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Library Science, or related field (or equivalent experience); Preference will be given to candidates with background in American art, history and material culture.
  • Collections care experience preferred, with familiarity with object handling best practices.
  • Experience with collections management systems (TMS preferred).
  • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
  • Familiarity with museum cataloguing standards; comfort working with large datasets.
  • Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and a passion for advancing equity and addressing structural racism within nonprofit organizations.

 

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

 

This is a part-time position (21 hours a week) which includes one day per week at our off-site storage facility in Brooklyn.  The position involves standing for approximately 30% of working time and requires the ability to climb ladders, bend, stoop, kneel, and lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Benefits:

 

The hourly rate for this position is $35.00. Your employment relationship with the Museum qualifies you for free or discounted admissions to other participating cultural institutions.

 

 

The Museum of the City of New York is committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with staff as diverse as New York City and the audiences who are curious about learning more about its history and engaging in contemporary urban issues. Our staff members are dedicated to working towards a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring city museum in the world.

 

The Museum of the City of New York is an equal opportunity employer. As such, the museum provides equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants without unlawful discrimination with respect to age, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender identification or expression, marital status, military status or veteran, national origin, political association, political/personal convictions, predisposing genetic characteristics, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and style), religion (including attire, clothing or facial hair worn in accordance with religious requirements), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and transgender status), sexual orientation, socio-economic status, geographic location, philosophies, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws, in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, demotion, transfer, lay-off, and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. The Museum complies with applicable state and local law governing nondiscrimination in employment which prohibits discrimination and harassment against any employees, applicants for employment or interns, as well as contractors, subcontractors, vendors, consultants, other individuals providing services in the workplace or their employees in every location in which the Museum has facilities.