JOB DESCRIPTION
ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The Museum of Flight is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world! With over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, tens of thousands of artifacts, millions of rare photographs, dozens of exhibits and experiences and a world-class library, the Museum and its people bring mankind’s incredible history of flight to life.
In 1964 a small group of aviation enthusiasts realized that important and historic artifacts representing the evolution of flight were being lost or destroyed at an incredible rate. To aid in the preservation of these artifacts, the Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation was established. Now The Museum of Flight; our world-class collections need professionals like yourself.
INTERNSHIP POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Small Objects Intern will be a dedicated and enthusiastic collections team member who will process, catalog, and partially digitize assigned small object collections within the Museum of Flight’s collection. Specific duties may include physically processing artifacts; organizing assigned materials; physically numbering artifacts; completing catalog records in the Re:Discovery database; rehousing materials and stabilizing them for long term storage; photographing artifacts; updating and inventorying storage locations. The intern will report to the Collections Specialist, but their work may overlap with other collections staff.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION
The collections to be processed as part of this project will relate to space flight and space history. As the Museum of Flight celebrates the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the Collections Department has prioritized making unprocessed space collections more accessible through cataloging and processing. The intern will process items from, but not limited to, collections related to NASA’s Apollo program, the Space Shuttle program, the Lunar Orbiter project, and model rocketry.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Surveys the state of the assigned collections and works with the Collections Specialist to create an effective plan for processing and cataloguing the materials.
Completely catalogs the materials in the collections and updates records in the database, Re:Discovery.
Rehouses and labels materials according to accepted museum standards and best practices.
Selects items for digitization and assists with creating metadata records for digital objects.
Documents the project and assists the Collections Specialist in writing an article for the museum’s newsletter or other outlets.
Assist with other collections tasks as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
Currently enrolled in or recent graduate of degree program in Museum Studies, Public History, Information Studies, Library Science, or related field, graduate level or equivalent preferred
0-2 years of experience in a library, archives or museum collections environment desirable.
Ability to demonstrate proper object handling and processing techniques
Strong understanding of museum best practices and professionally accepted standards
Familiarity with cataloging and inventorying museum collections
Detail-oriented
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (experience with Re:Discovery a plus)
Ability to work in a team-based environment as well as independently with self-initiative and minimal supervision
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
At time of job offer candidate must be able to pass a criminal background check
Customer service/client driven focus with a positive, collaborative, solution-based attitude that stays within and upholds Museum’s policies and procedures
Onsite attendance is essential to perform the duties of this position
This hourly position’s primary workweek is Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. The intern will work in an office environment most of the time, with some work performed in other collections storage areas with warehouse-like conditions.
The Museum of Flight is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.
This organization participates in E-Verify.
