Collections Assistant

TITLE:

COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT (2 POSITIONS)

DEPARTMENT: DNR – PRESERVATION

SUPERVISOR: COLLECTIONS MANAGER

LOCATION: WELLPINIT, WA

RATE OF PAY: $21.22 – $29.00 PER HOUR

OPENING DATE: FEBRUARY 2, 2026

CLOSING DATE: FEBRUARY 16, 2026

Working under the guidance of collections manager, the Collections Assistant position is responsible for assisting the Collections Manager with the daily management and curation of tribal and federally owned collections, associated records, photographs, and other archival materials received and held at the STI preservation repository. Collections housed within the STI preservation repository include archeological artifacts and cultural material, associated objects and cultural history documentation, photographs, audio/visual, and archival documents.

Duties include but are not limited to the acquisition, processing, inventory, movement and use of the collections. Ensuring that all collections materials are handled in a safe and practical manner, stored appropriately, and documented and tracked according to museum standards is essential to supporting the overall mission of Spokane Tribe Preservation Program and compliance with the collections standards and federal regulations.

• Assists in the processing of objects recovered in archeological investigations and/or donated materials.
• Performs cataloging, data entry, and condition reporting of new acquisitions and collections backlog.
• Assists in preparing and maintaining objects records and associated documentation.
• Assists with the annual inventory and reconciliation of all federally associated objects and records.
• Assists with the storage and re‑housing of various collections materials.
• Assists with digitizing archival documents, photographs, and audio/visual materials into stable media.
• Assist with implementation of Integrated Pest Management and housekeeping within the repository.
• Assist with monitoring and documenting environmental conditions in the collection’s storage and work areas (i.e. light, relative humidity, temperature, dust, pest, gaseous pollutants, and other inherent vice).
• Regular cleaning and maintenance of collections storage and office spaces within the Collections building.
• Participates in information gathering for the collections management reports due at the end of the year, as per BPA/BOR contract.
• Assist with research and access inquiries from other tribal departments and outside agencies/students.
• Added Duties: public outreach (effectively present cultural information at the Interstate Fair, school educational presentations, and culture week; assist in content and presentation of museum displays); public speaking engagements.

• Ability to assist the Principal Investigator with their field season when needed.
• Working knowledge of standard museum collections management standards, best practices, and procedures, including objects handling and cataloguing.
• Experience using collections database, especially Past Perfect, digital imaging equipment and software, and photography techniques.
• Basic computer skills and proficiency with Windows Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with the Collections staff and Preservation staff.
• Ability to complete essential responsibilities independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to handle sensitive and proprietary information with discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to assist the Collections Manager in various collections management tasks when needed.

• High school diploma.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and be tribally insurable.
• Interest in history, preservation, and collections work.
• Ability and willingness to learn the nature of collections work and ask questions to improve understanding and perform job responsibilities.
• Demonstrated basic computer skills and proficiency with Windows Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Collections staff and…