Collections Facility Assistant

Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women has an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as Collections Facility Assistant!

To be effective, this position must actively collaborate with and support both internal and external stakeholders on a wide range of tasks. The incumbent must balance building access and security with collections care activities including preservation and care, storage, movement, handling, auditing, tracking and documentation.

When required, the incumbent will assist the Curator, Collections Management and the Collections Services section with the planned, organized and coordinated efforts to care for the Museum's overall collection. This work is conducted at multiple collections facilities.

Undertake activities and duties to ensure the long-term physical preservation of the Royal Alberta Museum's collections at the Acheson Collections Storage Facility
•    where/when required, representing the RAM as tenant liaison with building management companies and providing access and supervision to collections holding spaces during scheduled inspections, building maintenance or repairs and vendor contract work.
•    assisting the Curator, Collections Management and the Head of Conservation with the monitoring of collections intake, quarantine and storage spaces.
•    reporting the status of collection related material handling equipment and storage furnishings to the Curator, Collections Management.

Assist in the accurate documentation and reporting of the Royal Alberta Museum's collection
•    assist in activities and tasks that contribute to the accurate recording of collections information for use in the assemblage of reports, audits, etc.
•    assisting in the completion of the annual collections location audit.
•    reporting damaged collection and/or storage furniture (e.g. cabinets), missing collections pieces, mislabelled or unlabelled collections and inaccurate location data to the relevant Collections Services or Curatorial and Research staff.

Contribute to the overall success of the Collections Services team's goals and priorities
•    assisting the Curator, Collections Management to prepare, implement and regularly report on the status of project plans and assigned functions or tasks.
•    assisting the Curator, Collections Management in prioritizing assignments and tasks to ensure institutional goals are achieved in a timely manner.
•    reporting any findings and issues related to the collections storage and collections facilities to the Curator, Collections Management, notably those that have security and OH&S implications for staff safety.
•    contributing to the creation of procedures for different collections related tasks, and upon review/approval by Conservation staff, Curators and/or the Curator, Collections Management execute tasks accordingly.

Role Continued

Ensure the safety and security of the Acheson Collections Storage Facility
•    Liaising with the RAM Security Chief, to ensure a coordinated security effort and response amongst all supervisors, staff and contractors.
•    Acting as the contact between RAM and building management at the Acheson Collections Storage facility for repairs and work orders.
•    Ensuring all staff, volunteers and visitors entering the Facility are doing so within the established policies and procedures.
•    Providing reports and, as-needed, advice and/or feedback to the Security Chief.
•    Acting as the prime contact for the museum, they may be required to respond or attend to the site after hours.

Ensure a coordinated emergency response effort on behalf of the museum in an emergency situation
•    Using establish procedures and protocols, responding quickly and appropriately to emergency situation.
•    Taking the necessary actions and assuming control and responsibility in the absence of the Security Chief.
•    Contacting the fire, police and ambulance as needed in emergency situations.
•    Assisting emergency services personnel as required.

Qualifications

Requirements:
•    University graduation in a related field plus five years related experience; or equivalent as described below.
•    For application consideration, you must attach a cover letter explaining your qualification and suitability for this role.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 
•    1 year of education for 1 year of experience.
•    1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

This position requires knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
•    A demonstrated working knowledge of collections management practices including storage logistics, basic preservation standards, documentation and record keeping, and understanding of acquisition, deaccessioning and loan processes.  
•    Experience and skills in collections material handling techniques including the movement of artifacts, use of material handling equipment and use of personal protective equipment.
•    Experience in museum facility management including basic knowledge of building security, collections risk mitigation, facility operation, stakeholder engagement, contractor management or assistance. 
•    Ability to obtain and maintain certification and training in:
-    Fall protection/Arrest and Aerial Work Platform safety
-    Fork lift certification
-    Standard First Aid and CPR
-    Firearms Possession and Acquisition License
-    Valid Class 5 Driver’s License

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

In this role, you will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following behavioral competencies:

Creative Problem Solving - The breadth of tasks undertaken by this position varies significantly and each has its own unique challenges. The Collections Facility Assistant must continually use their previous experience while seeking new ideas and methods to improve the efficiency of storing a growing collection within limited facility spaces. The incumbent will adapt their methodology for collections care while considering the object and available storage mechanisms. Similarly, they must understand basic museum security operational standards and how to apply them as well as identify gaps, seek clarification and offer recommended solutions within the unique environment in which they work.

Drive for Results - The work of the Collections Facility Assistant often involves multiple projects across multiple sites. The incumbent will need to prioritize their tasks to meet specific goals and timelines, seeking input from their supervisor and or other knowledgeable staff as required. Some tasks will be repetitive. They are expected to identify and seek ways to achieve success without losing site of the end goals.   

Build Collaborative Environments - Many of the tasks of this position require ongoing teamwork. Open communication and a proactive good working relationship with other staff is required to plan actions and tasks to ensure operational effectiveness and to reduce risk to staff, the building and collections for both regular operations and emergency situations. This position interacts with other outside stakeholders (i.e. property managers or contractors) where they must balance the needs of the collection and the actions required by those stakeholders.

Agility - The Collections Facility Assistant is expected to adapt their processes and tasks as required. The incumbent must be flexible in operational awareness and be able to fill gaps when problems arise and address problems with possible solutions. The position not only works creatively to address unique situations but must also adjust their daily tasks as required to respond to emergency situations, changing priorities, building/facility issues and requests from other team members.

Notes

This is a permanent, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Work location is in Acheson, Alberta. Occasional travel is involved.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time.

As part of the interview, short listed applicants may perform a written assignment.

The final candidate will undergo pre-employment checks (security screening and academic verification) and reference checks. 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

What the GoA has to offer:

•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
•    Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.