Museum Assistant - Collections

Salary: $19.42 - $20.73 Hourly Location : Lacey, WA Job Type: Part Time Job Number: 2026-00013 Department: Parks, Culture & Recreation Division: Museum Opening Date: 02/25/2026 Closing Date: 3/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific BASIC PURPOSE Reporting to the Museum Curator, under immediate supervision, this position assists with the care and documentation of a diverse collection of artifacts and archival records. This position is also responsible for assisting researchers with their requests for records, information, or photographs. While the primary job site is at the Lacey Research Center, this position also serves as a back-up for education staff at the Lacey Museum site on some Saturdays. The Lacey Museum enriches our community and engages visitors by sharing vibrant stories of the past through the preservation and celebration of Lacey and the South Sound region's cultural heritage. This position will work approximately 16-20 hours per week. Usually at the Research Center on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lacey Museum as a gallery host 1-2 Saturdays per month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with occasional evening or additional weekend work as needed. Some schedule flexibility is available. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for April 8th, 2026.Please note: The Hiring Manager reserves the right to make changes to this posting at any time. To ensure consideration for this position, please submit your application as soon as possible. This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next six (6) months. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Duties include but are not limited to the following: Assists with the management of museum collections, including organization, inventory, transportation, storage, and mount-making using knowledge of museum collections care principles and best practices. Assists customers with their requests for information, records, or photographs. Assists with the processing of new acquisitions, including executing deeds of gift, completing inventories, cataloging collections into the CatalogIt database, and conducting research. Assists with training and supervision of volunteers. May assist with exhibits, programs or other museum projects. Assists with facility housekeeping, pest management, and environmental control. Occasionally serves as a Museum gallery host and conducts tours. Other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS A Bachelor's Degree in history, museum studies, anthropology or a related field. OR An Associate's Degree and two years of college level work in history, museum studies, anthropology, or a related field. OR A High School Diploma or G.E.D and four years of college level work in history, museum studies, anthropology, or a related field. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSE(S): Must pass a thorough background investigation and successfully complete pre-employment medical testing for the ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Must be attentive to job safety considerations and follows all required safety policies, procedures, and techniques. Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license at time of hire OR must obtain within 30 days from date of hire, and must have a driving record acceptable to the City and the City's insurance carrier; OR must be able to provide own transportation to and from job, meetings, and related job sites. Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES The following qualifications generally describe the knowledge and ability required to perform this classification. Knowledge of: Principles of preventive conservation, agents of deterioration, and how to mitigate them. Methods and techniques of historical research and the types and availability of historical resource materials, particularly in Washington state. Skill in: Handling, transporting, and storing fragile museum collections, including artifacts, records, photographs and more. Demonstrating a commitment to principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, and accessibility. Scholarly research and analysis, critical thinking, and excellent writing. Maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to: Communicate across diverse audiences, both orally and in writing. Operate MS Office products, and learn/adapt to specialty software such as photo editing and museum collections software. Operate digitization equipment and software. Effectively interact with the public and City staff in a courteous manner at all times. Perform minor janitorial duties, such as sweeping, vacuuming, and refreshing bathroom supplies. Temporary/seasonal positions are not eligible for health insurance, other insurances, holidays, vacation, and/or other paid leave benefits provided to regular full-time positions; however, they are covered by Workers' Compensation Insurance. The City will comply with RCW 49.46.210 and WAC's 296-128-600 through 296-128-700 in providing paid sick leave to all covered employees (non-exempt). Federal withholding taxes will be deducted from wages. Social Security benefit (for Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) covered staff) - Our Employee Benefits include employer paid contributions to Social Security and Employees pay the employee portion of Social Security tax. Temporary/seasonal positions are eligible for membership and will participate in the Department of Retirement Systems. 01 INSTRUCTIONS: Please read the following instructions before you proceed in responding to the supplemental questions below. Answers to the supplemental questions will be evaluated by subject matter experts. You must answer each question in its entirety for it to be considered as a complete answer. You must also answer the remainder of these questions as truthfully and as accurately as possible.Please do not refer to your resume or other attached documents, or copy and paste information from your resume or other attached documents, in lieu of answering any questions or completing the application. Your responses must be typed in the space provided for each question. Your responses may be assessed in subsequent examinations and any sign of deliberate misinformation or intentional exaggeration may result in disqualification from the examination process and possible elimination from future employment opportunities with the City of Lacey. As part of the interview process, you may be invited to come in and perform a work assessment prior to interviews related to the duties of this position. Please note that the work experience section must be completed in order for your application to be considered complete.Please indicate "yes" to show that you have read these instructions and understand that your application may be considered incomplete if any of the above criteria are not met.) Yes No 02 Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. Are you at least 18 years of age? Yes No 03 A high school diploma or G.E.D. is required at the time of application. Do you have a high school diploma or G.E.D.? Yes No 04 Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in history, museum studies, anthropology or a related field OR an Associate's Degree and two (2) years of college level work in history, museum studies, anthropology, or a related field OR a High School Diploma or G.E.D and four (4) years of college level work in history, museum studies, anthropology, or a related field. Yes No 05 Please describe your equivalent experience, education, and/or training that makes you qualified for this position. 06 What motivated you to apply for this position? 07 Describe your experience using collections management software and digitization equipment. 08 This position requires working on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and 1-2 Saturdays per month. Are you available to work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some Saturdays? Yes No 09 Describe your experience caring for museum collections including cataloging artifacts, conducting inventories, writing condition reports, storing artifacts, making mounts, transporting artifacts, and/or processing new acquisitions. 10 What would you do if someone asked you to alter historically accurate information because they felt their interpretation was better? 11 Are you willing and able to perform the duties and functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations? Yes No Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04