JOB POSTING IS EXPIRED
Exhibits Technician

Job Overview

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is an outgrowth of the Dubuque County Historical Society, which also operates the Mathias Ham Historic Site, is home to the National Rivers Hall of Fame, and supports a national outreach program called RiverWorks Discovery.

The Exhibits Technician assists with all aspects of the public exhibit galleries. The successful candidate will have a strong ability to troubleshoot mechanical devices with or without assistance, an artistic flare, and a diverse skill set.

This is a full time, permanent position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation time, sick time, paid holidays, medical, dental, flex plan, and 403b retirement plan.

The Dubuque County Historical Society and its properties, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and Mathias Ham Historic Site, are committed to embracing diversity, practicing equity, and ensuring accessibility and inclusion. We continually strive to achieve a welcoming environment in all our spaces, where our staff and community feel reflected and valued for their unique perspectives and backgrounds. DEAI values guide and impact all the decisions the museum makes, both internal and external.

Primary duties

• Ensure exhibits and interactive components remain in good working condition (with assistance from IT/AV as appropriate).
  • Check operation of exhibit components each day.
  • Perform routine preventative maintenance.
  • Maintain lighting in exhibit galleries.
  • Update signage, with assistance from Marketing and Education departments.
  • Consult on historic preservation work at historic sites.
  • Perform restoration work on historic structures.
  • Coordinate with outside vendors as appropriate.
• Install, build, and set up new exhibits and interactive components, dismantle old exhibits.
  • Work with exhibit vendors to plan all aspects of the installation and operation of temporary traveling exhibits.
  • Unload and load temporary traveling exhibits.
  • Design and build exhibit interactives.
  • Design and build in-house created galleries, generally focused on History, Conservation, and STEM related topics.

Additional duties

• Maintain clean and safe workspaces and tools.
• Purchase supplies while remaining within the approved budget figures.
• Maintain expertise in current trends with exhibits practices as related to history, conservation, and STEM topics.
• Engage in continued learning about animals, plants, and artifacts in institutional collection.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with all co-workers, especially Education, Guest Services, Historical Collections, Living Collections, and Maintenance departments.
• Represent NMRMA and DCHS at regional, national, and international levels through participation in professional organizations and conferences as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Will typically have experience with varied exhibit work, preferably in a museum, aquarium, zoo, science center, or historic site setting.
• A strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to create innovative repair solutions.
• A strong candidate will possess a varied skill set with some abilities in a diverse range of topics, possibly including:
  • Art
  • Basic Construction
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Creativity
  • Graphic Design (Illustrator, InDesign, and/or Photoshop)
  • Painting
  • Plumbing
  • Woodworking
• Familiarity with computers and the Microsoft Office suite of programs.
• Must possess or be able to acquire a valid Iowa, Wisconsin or Illinois driver’s license within 3 months of hire.
• Must be capable of holding certification in First Aid and CPR.
• Must be physically capable of extended periods of standing, walking, kneeling, bending, climbing, and heavy lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Must be comfortable working in and around water, and in inclement weather conditions.
• Maintain flexibility in scheduling to assist with occasional projects outside normally scheduled hours.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language.
• Must be able to perform any physical demands of job duties, either with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Final candidates will be subject to a reference and background check.

How to apply

To learn more, visit www.rivermuseum.org/join-our-team  Apply by emailing your resume, cover letter, salary requirements, and references to apply@rivermuseum.org or by delivering them in person to: Attn Natalie Clifton, 350 E. 3rd St., Dubuque, IA 52001.

Research suggests that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that any applicant is able to meet all of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if you are drawn to this position and feel your strengths would be an asset to the organization, we highly encourage you to apply.