Collections Assistant

Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a living history museum of the 17th-century that provides engaging and experiential outdoor and indoor learning environments on its main campus, and at Mayflower II on Plymouth’s waterfront, and at the Plimoth Grist Mill. Our permanent exhibits tell the complex and interwoven stories of two distinct cultures
- English and Wampanoag.

Operating on a remarkable property overlooking Cape Cod Bay, Plimoth Patuxet brings the story of the United States’ early foundation to life for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year since its founding in 1947. The main exhibits are enhanced with an exciting array of special events, public programs and workshops that offer a rich and diverse exploration of the 17th-century.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.

The Collections Assistant will oversee the digitization of two legacy 17th-century archaeological collections from the John and Joseph Howland Sites. The candidate will be responsible for cataloging archaeological material, developing finding aids, and creating exhibits and programs for public outreach. Additionally, the Collections Assistant will assist with database management and provide day-to-day support to staff in the Collections Department.

This position requires knowledge of archaeological methods and techniques, 17th-century colonial and Indigenous material culture, and basic collections management practices. The Collections Assistant is expected to provide the archaeological expertise required when studying field records (photographs, slides, and paper records) while also helping to catalog and rehouse the archaeological materials.

This position is a full-time, IMLS grant-funded position until August 31, 2028 that is based in Plymouth, Massachusetts at the Research Library at Plimoth Patuxet Museums.

The Collections Assistant is directly responsible for completing various grant-funded project tasks including:

• Inventorying, cataloging, and rehousing archaeological assemblages from the John and Joseph Howland Sites
• Photographing objects and processing images for publication on Past Perfect web-edition database
• Standardizing the artifact catalog for the Howland sites in the Plimoth Patuxet Museums’ online database, Past Perfect Web-Edition
• Scanning and/or organizing archival material pertaining to the sites’ excavations and research, including original field notes, site plans, site reports, etc.
• Assisting in developing content for a public-oriented, online exhibit
• Participating in guest-facing activities and events about these sites and other components of the Museum’s archaeological collections
• Assisting Collections staff in making the data accessible through the Museum’s public collections database
• Leading data clean-up efforts in Past Perfect before online publication of collection
• Writing finding aids, collection summaries, and curatorial histories, creating external and internal guides to the collections

This description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of key responsibilities of the job as it is at present, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

This job description may be reviewed by management at any time either to ensure that it relates to the job currently being performed, or to incorporate changes. Management reserves the right to change a job description; and if/when doing so will discuss with the employee so that any changes are understood by the employee.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Applicants must be familiar with Indigenous and Colonial material culture from New England and best practices in archaeological cataloging and collections management.
• Must have experience with project management, able to stay organized and communicate professionally with staff, stakeholders, and museum visitors.
• Demonstrated ability to be…