Position Information
Requisition Number S4705P Home Org Name JCSM Collections and Exhibitions Division Name Administrative Effectiveness Position Title Museum Registrar Job Class Code AB06 Appointment Status Full-time Part-time FTE Limited Term No Limited Term Length Job Summary
Join Our Team as Museum Registrar!
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art,
Auburn University’s on-campus teaching museum, is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative
Museum Registrar
to help steward our remarkable collection. This role ensures the care and documentation of all works of art and their associated records. As a vital connector across the museum, the Registrar partners with colleagues on collection-focused initiatives, supports teaching and learning opportunities in our galleries, and contributes to the planning and execution of dynamic exhibitions. This is an exciting opportunity for a museum professional who thrives on precision, teamwork, and bringing art to life for students, faculty, and the community.
About The Jule:
Accredited by the American Association of Museums and a member of the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries, The Jule stewards a renowned art collection of more than 3000 objects on behalf of Auburn University. Advancing research, outreach and instruction through its collections and programs in active and welcoming learning environments, the museum engages through exhibitions and hosting artists and scholars from across the nation to provide positive impacts for students and faculty. Serving beyond the gallery walls, it also serves the state of Alabama through traveling art programming. The Jule will turn 25 in 2028! With that upcoming milestone, the museum is focused on raising funds to endow positions and programs, establish scholarships, acquire and conserve art, and provide adequate teaching space, all to further center its role within the intellectual life of Auburn University.
Essential Functions
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Assumes responsibility for the long-term storage and care of all objects, including public art on university property in the art collection stewarded by the museum. Oversees both on-site and off-site collection storage and the movement of collection objects for exhibition, loan, or use in museum study rooms. Supervises the conservation and preservation of artwork, implementing priorities, ensuring continued review and mitigating future conservation needs. Monitors all spaces and environments housing the collection. Generates and maintains current facility reports, including for prospective private and institutional lenders, works with the Director of Operations on questions related to all spaces and environments housing the collection. Completes regular inventory spot-checks and maintains a current appraisal of the collection in accordance with the collection management policy. Receives, inspects, and conducts condition reports for all incoming objects on loan to the museum. Consults on other issues related to incoming loans. Updates insurance information, including updates to the permanent collection and outgoing or incoming loans.
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Manages all object records and documentation associated with the permanent collection, including photography of objects. Maintains the collection database, determining and implementing data entry standards and procedures; inputs data and photography in a timely and consistent manner; trains and supports staff users and creates and maintains their accounts; conducts data entry checks to ensure quality assurance; spearheads and participates in data cleaning efforts; and serves as the liaison with software representatives. Writes and maintains a data entry user manual. Assumes responsibility for digitizing images, creating reports, metadata development, periodic software upgrades, system migrations and security, and public access on the museum website. Oversees day-to-day object tracking of all works in the collection database. Initiates requisite collections documentation, assigns object numbers, and records all temporary, permanent, and off-site storage locations. Remains current on best practices regarding art collections and technology, and the museum’s collection management system specifically.
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Collaborates with the Manager of Academic Engagement to develop dynamic checklists for use by faculty, staff, and students in a range of academic disciplines. Recommends appropriate engagement methods to ensure safety of artwork and adherence to museum standards. Manages course engagement with collection objects, either in person or virtually, and assists with associated publication needs.
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Manages the smooth and timely acquisitions review process. Receives, prepares, and catalogs new acquisitions, including assisting and coordinating with all requisite museum staff. Creates object files and generates receipts and other paperwork specific to the acquisition of collection objects.
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Collaborates with guest scholars as well as curatorial and education colleagues to conduct regular research on collection objects and to share new information. Identifies opportunities for additional research and publication related to collection objects. Updates object files with new research and information.
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Represents the museum through various public programs and other professional development workshops, seminars, and conferences. May identify supplemental funding to support exhibitions and the collection, including preparing proposals and grant applications for initiatives or other special projects.
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Trains and supervises student staff, graduate assistants, and interns performing work related to the collection and/or in galleries.
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Manages or initiates other special projects or initiatives as requested or as they arise.
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Performs other related duties assigned.
Why Work at Auburn?
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Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
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Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
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We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
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Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
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A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree
Experience:
3 years of experience in archiving, researching, documenting and maintaining a museum or special collection within a private collection or an arts and/or culture environment for community audiences.
Minimum Skills, License, And Certifications
Minimum Skills and Abilities
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Thorough knowledge of museum policies, practices, and procedures.
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Extensive knowledge of and experience with collections management and digital asset management systems.
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Knowledge of nomenclature, metadata standards, best practices in conservation, object handling, insurance, and museum legal and ethical issues.
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Knowledge of exhibition touring systems and needs to ensure safety of collection objects on loan to outside institutions.
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Basic knowledge of conservation and preservation techniques and procedures for museum collections.
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Knowledge of domestic and foreign loan procedures including courier arrangements and travel.
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Knowledge of research methodology, principles and procedures.
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Excellent knowledge of art and art history including identification of specific types of art movements and art works.
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Working knowledge of Windows and Mac platforms.
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Excellent organizational and prioritizations skills.
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Strong collaborative, interpersonal and communication skills; collegial with demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies within diverse communities.
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Excellent database management skills.
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Skill in organizing museum archives.
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Excellent project management skills.
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Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
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Ability to supervise and train student employees and or interns, including organizing prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
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Ability to manage and ensure compliance with loan arrangements of artworks.
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Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals.
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Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
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Ability to participate in the arts and collection management community.
Minimum Technology Skills Minimum License and Certifications
Desired Qualifications
Desired Qualifications
Posting Detail Information
Salary Range $43,290 - $69,270 Job Category Arts/Museum Working Hours if Non-Traditional City position is located in: Auburn State position is located: Alabama List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position Posting Date 09/05/2025 Closing Date Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement
It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit their
website
to learn more.
Special Instructions to Applicants Quick Link for Internal Postings https://www.auemployment.com/postings/55627