PREPARATOR

The Mission of MIM: The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) enriches our world by collecting, preserving, and making accessible an astonishing variety of musical instruments and performance videos from every country in the world. MIM offers guests a welcoming and fun experience, incomparable interactive technology, dynamic programming, and exceptional musical performances. MIM fosters appreciation of the world's diverse cultures by showing how we innovate, adapt, and learn from each other to create music-the language of the soul.

Core Values: Our four core values represent the standards by which each team member is expected to contribute towards the excellence of the MIM experience. MIM's culture of high energy, innovation, questioning, and problem solving ensures we will overcome challenges and establish new paradigms for museums everywhere.

1. Guest-Friendly: MIM provides a welcoming, engaging, and accessible experience for each guest.
2. High-Performing: MIM team consistently exceeds expectations.
3. Ever-Changing: MIM is in constant evolution as it strives to improve continually.
4. Sustainable: MIM is committed to ensuring the sustainability of the organization for generations to come.

Position Summary: The Preparator participates in general and/or specialized aspects of collections management; exhibit installation; acquisition processing; storage and handling; Inspect and Pest Management (IPM); and environmental monitoring for MIM. The Preparator reports to the Exhibits Manager and works closely with staff in MIM's Curatorial and Collections departments.

Responsibilities/Essential Duties:

* Assist in the installation of objects for exhibition and in the de-installation of objects for photography, mount making, exhibit maintenance, and conservation purposes.

* Efficiently works with power tools such as drills, saws, and sanders.

* Properly documents location changes of all objects in MIM's collection database, TMS; inputs and updates collection data in TMS, as needed.

* Works with other team members to ensure the proper handling and safety of objects during installation; ensures the safety of the collection in storage through routine storage inspection and monitoring.

* Assists in the organization, tracking, and installation of exhibit signage, object and audiovisual labels, graphic rails, mounts, pedestals, donor plaques, headers and subheaders and mural graphics.

* Assists in the routine cleaning (dusting, vacuuming, etc.) of exhibit spaces and objects; documents object cleaning in TMS.

* Performs maintenance tasks (patching, painting, etc.) of exhibit spaces.

* Builds storage mounts and rearranges items in storage as needed to implement plans for permanent housing of the collection.

* Assists with pest monitoring and other IPM activities.

* Assists with environmental (humidity) monitoring in gallery and storage spaces.

* Assists in maintaining organized, clean, and functional spaces for exhibit prep, storage, and permanent and temporary object staging.

* Assists in maintaining an inventory of supplies, tools, and materials for back-of-house collections spaces.

* Works with registration team members to process incoming acquisitions and loans (freezing objects when appropriate; taking photos; taking dimensions; and tagging); assists with packing and shipping of objects as needed.

* Expedites objects to Conservation Lab or other museum areas as needed.

* Manages and assists in selected special projects museum wide.

* General Expectations: Maintain regular attendance and punctuality. Follow all policies and procedures. Cultivate inclusive and respectful working relationships that support a sense of belonging for all team members, volunteer team members, and guests. Perform other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

Specialization: Among the Preparator team, individuals may be specialized in areas relating to conservation, mount making, photography, pest management, etc. Specific job duties may evolve depending on the interests and training of the individual and the needs of MIM.

Qualifications

Bachelor's in museum studies or related field desired with at least three years of experience handling objects in a museum as a Collections professional or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties such as those listed in the job description. Must possess a valid Arizona Driver's license at the time of hire.

* Knowledge of accepted museum collection management practices.

* Must have strong analytical skills.

* Must have strong technical skills with experience in data entry and office software programs.

* Ability to problem-solve, work independently, and excel in a high performance, team-oriented culture.

* Strong writing and collaborative interpersonal skills.

Other:

* Some travel and weekend or evening work may be required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions of this position.

* The position frequently requires the incumbent to lift 50 pounds and use force to carry, push, pull, and otherwise move objects in the museum, loading dock, workshop, and storage areas.

* The position frequently requires the incumbent to climb a step ladder, bend, stoop, walk, and stand while performing job duties.

* Incumbents occasionally are required to drive forklifts or scissor lifts.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that the team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions of this position.

* The work environment is generally indoors in the museum, loading dock, workshop, and storage areas.

* Incumbents work frequently with power tools such as drills, saws, and sanders; incumbents also work frequently with chemicals such as paints and solvents. Therefore, incumbents are exposed to physical hazards such as loud noises and extreme temperatures and chemical hazards such as fumes.