About Hanford Mills Museum

2024 Collections Assistant

Brief Description: Hanford Mills Museum (HMM) operates an authentic water and steam-powered National Register-listed historic site in East Meredith, NY. The Museum seeks a summer Collections Assistant to work closely with staff on a variety of key collections projects. HMM is able to offer this position as part of a for-credit internship for students enrolled in relevant graduate or undergraduate projects.

Responsibilities: The Collections Assistant will assist the Mill & Collections Specialist and other staff with a variety of collections care and management work as part of an IMLS-funded project. These projects may include: object and collections research; surveying undocumented and permanent collections objects; cataloging object data in PastPerfect database; marking education and permanent collections objects; assisting with object evaluation and deaccession proposals; and completing basic housekeeping and care of objects and collections storage areas, and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

  • Ability to perform tasks that require remaining stationary and moving throughout the site, moving objects, on varying surfaces, inside and outside, and in a variety of conditions
  • Effective organization and time management skills
  • Strong attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Enrolled in or completed bachelor’s or master’s degree program in museum studies, history, education, environmental studies, or a related field
  • Knowledge of basic collections and interpretive practices
  • Experience with and/or interest in gaining experience with a range of objects, including industrial machines, hand tools, domestic objects, and textiles
  • Experience with collections management software (especially PastPerfect)

Duration: This paid summer position is expected to last 10-12 weeks; the assistant will work 37.5 hours per week with an hourly rate of $15.00. Hanford Mills operates on a Wednesday-Sunday work schedule during this time.

Hiring to begin on a rolling basis starting March 1.

To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Kevin Jensen at [email protected].