Job Posting: Collections Intern

The Summerland Museum and Archives Society is a team dedicated to keeping Summerland’s history alive working from a museum and archives year-round in Summerland, British Columbia. Our vision statement is to be committed to the passionate exploration of Summerland’s history. We carry out this vision statement by engaging the community in a variety of public programming such as historical tours, educational activities for children, exhibits, and hosting presentations.

Summerland is situated within the beautiful South Okanagan Valley. Summerland (population 11,615) is an agricultural community with a location that makes it a natural tourist hot spot, particularly in relation to wine tourism, the Ornamental Gardens, and the Kettle Valley Railway. It has many opportunities for indoor and outdoor recreation, as well as a vibrant arts community.

The Summerland Museum and Archives recognizes the benefits of having a diverse team and an inclusive workspace.   As an equity employer, the Summerland Museum encourages applications from persons of all sexual orientations and genders, people with disabilities, people of colour, Indigenous peoples, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of our organization.

The Summerland Museum and Archives Society is looking for a Collections Intern from July 2021 for a six-month contract (flexible start and end dates may be considered). This position will provide direct hands-on, career-related experience for a recent graduate considering a career relating to museum work.

The position involves working with the Curator/Archivist on a project involving storage reorganization and managing a collections backlog. The Collections intern will be responsible for assisting with the management of the Museum’s collection, including but not limited to:

•     accessioning and deaccessioning items as determined by collections criteria;

•     the reorganizing and physical arrangement of storage spaces;

•     digitizing collection items and archival documents in the Museum’s collection;

•     performing research requests related to local history;

•     assisting with managing the Museum’s collections management software, including creating and editing records;

•     assisting the Curator/Archivist in archival and curatorial duties;

•     supporting the day-to-day operations of the museum by welcoming visitors and answering phone calls;

•     and other related duties.

This temporary position is supported by the Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage program. Candidates must meet the Young Canada Works Eligibility Criteria and register with the Young Canada Works online(www.youngcanadaworks.ca).

The candidate must (as required by Young Canada Works):

•     be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible);

•     be legally entitled to work in Canada;

•     be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment;

•     be willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment;

•     not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) during the Young Canada Works (YCW) work assignment.

•     are unemployed or underemployed;

•     are a college or university graduate; and

•     are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with the program.

 

The ideal candidate will:

•     have a bachelor’s or higher degree in Archival Studies, Library and Information Sciences, Museum Studies, Digital Humanities, History and/or another related degree/diploma;

•     be familiar with using collection management systems and digitization methods and devices;

•     have experience using PC operating systems and the ability to work with new software;

•     have strong multi-tasking skills;

•     have education, practical training and/or experience working with the public;

•     be an adaptable and energetic self-starter who is friendly, responsible, and conscientious;

•     have basic research experience and a willingness to learn new research skills;

•     have a working knowledge of the history of Summerland or the Okanagan area;

Volunteer or work experience at a museum or similar heritage organization is an asset.

The successful candidate is required to supply a criminal record check and a copy of their credentials.

Position Title: Collections Intern

Hours of Work: 30 hours/week (Wednesday through Saturday)

Rate of Pay: $18.00/ hour

Closing Date: Open until position is filled.

To Apply: Please send resume and cover letter via email to archives@summerlandmuseum.org with the subject line Collections Intern Position.

 We want to thank all applicants; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Summerland Museum