Collection Processing Technician

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CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:

- Collection Processing Technician - Storage Renovation Project

DEPARTMENT:
Collections

FLSA STATUS:
Non-exempt

TERM: 1 year

JOB SUMMARY:

The Collection Processing Technician will assist with ensuring the safe and accurate relocation of the Museum's offsite storage collections in conjunction with renovations of the storage facility, as well as the assessment and resolution of any outstanding custodial issues affecting the collections. The Collection Processing Technician will conduct assessments; catalog, inventory, and rehouse collection materials; perform additional preservation tasks; and carry out other responsibilities associated with a large-scale collections move.

Using museum and archival best practices and independent professional judgement, they will review, research, and assess the condition of materials and ensure proper identification, housing, and handling of materials. Additionally, the Collection Processing Technician will research and assess the custodial status and history of collection materials and work with Collections and Curatorial staff to develop acquisition, disposal, and deaccession proposals to resolve their status.

The Collection Processing Technician will also work with other Collections staff to update inventories and catalog records following object relocation. As needed or as time permits, the Collection Processing Technician will process collections.

This position is entirely on-site at a remote collections facility and does not include the possibility of remote work. This is a part-time temporary position with working hours limited to 19 hours per week performed between 9am and 5pm Monday through Thursday. The duration of the project is expected to begin in late February/early March 2026 and conclude 12 months from the start date.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Apply strong organizational skills and knowledge of relevant tools and standards to create and maintain collection inventories, including shelf locations and extent of materials, before, during and after object relocation.
• Assess the physical condition of collection items and perform rehousing, relabeling, stabilization, and other preservation measures to ensure their safety during relocation and storage.
• Apply knowledge of the tools, technologies, and best practices for cataloging and inventorying to assist Archives staff, Collections Managers, and Cataloging and Metadata Librarian in reviewing and updating catalog records.
• Under the direction of the Senior Collection Manager and Senior Archivist, coordinate the safe and secure move of the museum collections within the facility to ensure collection integrity during a parallel construction project occurring at the storage facility.
• Assess the custodial history and status of manuscript, architectural, and object collection materials.
• Develop acquisition, disposal, and/or deaccession proposals in consultation with Collections and Curatorial staff.
• Help maintain organization, security, and cleanliness of collections storage facilities.
• Work with shippers, contractors, and appropriate CHM staff to safely pack and move collections within storage.
• Foster a collaborative team environment and open communication across Collections and relevant departments.

OTHER DUTIES:

• As time permits, process archival collections to facilitate research and programmatic use. Duties may include weeding unwanted materials, organizing and re-housing collections, preparing descriptive and administrative metadata for catalog records, and drafting finding aids.
• Perform other duties as assigned

REPORTS TO:

Senior Collection Manager

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
The Collection Processing Technician will work as part of a core project team of up to 4 Collection Processing Technicians led by an Assistant Project Manager with oversight from the Senior Collection Manager. The Collection Processing Technician will work as part of a larger team that includes the Director of Collections, Senior Archivist, Senior Registrar, Collection Managers, Conservators, Photographer/Imaging Specialists, and Rights and Reproductions staff.

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