Gallery Preparator and Operations Coordinator

Department Overview

The Samek Art Gallery is a program of Bucknell University that creates meaningful encounters between artists, students, scholars, the public and works of art. The Galleries present original, travelling, and collection exhibitions and public programs that cover the range of art history with an emphasis on contemporary and new media art. The Gallery maintains an active museum collection of over 5,000 objects, including 450 works installed across the campus. The gallery programs and/or manages 3 spaces - the Samek Art Gallery on campus (including offices, work-room, and collection study room), Downtown Art Gallery, and off-site collections storage - totaling 4,500 square feet of exhibition and program space plus 3,000 of storage and workspace. The Galleries produce, on average, 15 exhibitions, 75 public programs, and 36 campus events annually. The Gallery team is comprised of the Director, Public Programs & Outreach Manager, Registrar, Preparator & Operations Coordinator, Gallery Fellow, and student employees and volunteers. For more information, see http://galleries.blogs.bucknell.edu.

Job Description

The Gallery has an opening for a Preparator & Operations Coordinator. This is a casual , non-benefits eligible 20 hours per week position. The Preparator & Operations Coordinator's responsibilities include, but are not limited to: supervising student gallery guards, assisting the Registrar with exhibition installation and de-installation and art handling, managing the Gallery's security and facilities, and assisting with clerical and budget operations. For details and to apply, see the link below.

SUPERVISE STUDENT EMPLOYEES
• Hire, train, and supervise student gallery attendants / docents.
• Manage student work-schedules, coordinating between student needs, campus recesses, galleries' open hours, exhibition installation and de-installation, and special events.
• Attend/Guard Gallery if student becomes unavailable for scheduled hours.
• Collect timesheets, ensure accuracy, and submit for payroll.
• Work with Registrar to train student employees in art-handling and exhibition installation and to schedule students as needed for installation, de-installation, and moving art on campus, etc.
• Work with Public Programs & Outreach Manager to train gallery attendants as docents and to schedule student employees for event and outreach duties.

ASSIST WITH EXHIBITION INSTALLATION & DE-INSTALLATION
• Work with Registrar (project manager for exhibition installations) to install and de-install exhibitions.
• Duties will include but are not limited to: receiving, unpacking and, packing artworks; hanging and placement of artwork; performing carpentry work such as crating or making pedestals; spackling and painting; handling artworks on loan and permanent collections; lighting exhibitions; matting and framing artworks; and pick-up and delivery of artwork.

ASSIST WITH ART HANDLING
• Work with Registrar to transport art between collections storage facilities and galleries, to hang or retrieve from campus, and to off-site locations for framing, photography, etc.

SECURITY AND FACILITIES
• Open and Close gallery facilities for public hours daily.
• Schedule student employees and/or campus Public Safety to assist with opening or closing as needed.
• Manage cleanliness and condition of gallery-managed facilities. Initiate facility repairs and/or capital upgrades when necessary.
• Plan, maintain, and initiate upgrades to gallery and collection security systems and procedures.
• Serve as department key contact and building emergency contact.
• Maintain Facilities Emergency Plan that includes alternate opening/closing procedure in the event of unexpected absences. Plan should also include procedures for emergency evacuation of facilities, securing of artworks, phone-tree and notifications, resumption of business, etc.

CLERICAL AND BUDGET
• Submit student employee payroll bi-weekly.
• Reconcile department charge cards monthly.
• Order facilities supplies.
• Research, prepare, and submit capital project requests to the Director annually.
• Deposit cash donations with campus Finance as needed.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• Professional experience in functional areas detailed in the job description (preferably in an art gallery or museum)
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as an independent self-starter
• Valid PA drivers license (or ability to get one within 30 days)
• Ability to drive 15' box truck
• Availability to work evenings and weekends, as scheduled
• Skilled with manual and power tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree in Art, Museum Studies, or related field

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• stand or walk 2-4 hours at one time, up to 6 hours per day;
• sit for 2-4 hours at one time, up to 6 hours per day;
• lift or carry up to 50 pounds occasionally (less than 33% of the workday);
• lift or carry up to 10 pounds frequently (34-66% of the workday);
• lift up to 50 pounds to waist height and up to 25 pounds in a range of motions from floor to overhead:
• frequently use hands for simple grasping, fine manipulation, pushing or pulling (34-66% of the workday);
• occasionally bend, squat, reach overhead, kneel, climb ladders up to 12 feet high, lift overhead, weld, push or pull with forces up to 50 pounds (less than 33% of the work day);
• work in a variety of temperatures and environmental conditions; possess ability to work at heights, full range of body motions and physical agility, and ability to maintain balance.
• very good visual acuity

To apply, follow the link below.