Exhibit Preparator

ABOUT US

For more than a century the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects and shared its vast collection through thought-provoking, interactive museum exhibitions that make history visible and accessible for all ages. Three floors of permanent and traveling exhibitions feature objects and archival materials from our collections and explore the people, places, and events that have shaped the history of Oregon.

OHS practices and promotes inclusiveness. We honor the diverse strengths, needs, voices, and backgrounds of all members of our community and are committed to the equitable treatment of all people and the elimination of discrimination in all its forms. We are, furthermore, committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates.

The Exhibit Preparator assists the exhibits production team in the timely preparation, construction, installation, and de-installation of museum exhibitions as assigned, including temporary, traveling, and permanent exhibits.
This is an on-call, as needed position.

• Coordinates and cooperates with OHS staff, contractors, other temporary help, and vendors to meet exhibit deadlines.
• Handles collection materials during retrieval, installation, and storage with equal concern for object and human safety regardless of monetary value of item under the supervision of the Exhibits Production Manager or museum collection staff.
• Maintains punctual, regular, and predictable attendance.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation.
• Displays excellent communication skills including presentation, persuasion, and negotiation skills required in working with coworkers, visitors and volunteers and including the ability to communicate effectively and remain calm and courteous under pressure.
• Respectfully takes direction from supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. 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.

• Minimum high school graduate or GED equivalent. Three-to five years of experience in finish grade carpentry and/or cabinetry and/or exhibition production, with minimum of three to five years in museum environment preferred.
• Must be highly skilled in use and care of hand and power tools, and working with a variety of materials – wood, glass, plastic, paint, metal, and adhesives.
• Position requires knowledge of appropriate methods of exhibiting collection materials, including mounts and lighting.
• Must be familiar with construction and material standards to produce exhibits that ensure safe, secure, and appropriate exhibit environments for visitors and collection materials.
• Knowledge of safe work practices for hazardous materials and understanding of MSDS literature is required.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of…