Collections Manager bei Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) seeks a Collections Manager for our History Department. NHMLAC was originally the Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science, and Art; History is one of the museum’s founding collections. It includes extensive three-dimensional and archival holdings, encompassing significant materials related to Southern California's social, cultural, political, and economic history. These collections are actively used for exhibitions, research, and educational programming, serving a broad public and scholarly audience.  Within the History Department, the Seaver Center for Western History Research holds “2D” archival collections, and the Material Culture section holds “3D” objects.  

The new Collection Manager will join an active department that currently includes two other collection managers, one based in the Seaver Center and one in Material Culture.  A Curator of History is expected to be hired in 2026.  As a generalist with expertise in archival (2D) collections, the Collections Manager will work primarily in the Seaver Center for Western History Research, while collaborating with the rest of the staff to accomplish projects throughout the department. The Seaver Center for Western History Research is located in the main museum building in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, with the Material Culture collection mostly located in the Vernon Collections Center (in Vernon, CA); the Collections Manager will be primarily based in the Seaver Center but will be required to work at both locations as needed by the department.

NHMLAC’s values—adventurous, inclusive, authentic, and intentional—guide our work and visitor experience, committing us to foster a welcoming, safe and respectful workplace environment where innovation and collaboration thrive and every team member can contribute their unique perspectives to advance our mission. NHMLAC seeks candidates who are aligned with our values and priorities, and are passionate about connecting history with the vibrant and diverse communities we serve throughout Los Angeles.

This is a full-time regular position with an annual salary range of $69,000.00- $70,725.00 plus full-time benefits. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Cares for the History collection on a day-­to-­day basis, including organizing, storing, securing and assisting with conserving objects. Plans and oversees reorganization, re­housing and movement of the collection as necessary and/or directed by the Curator or the institution.  Leads or assists with the development and implementation of plans for collection growth and improvement.  Implements the department’s pest monitoring and management protocols.  Works cooperatively with other collection management and conservation staff to achieve the highest level of collection care and productivity across the History Department and the museum.

• Provides documentation for the collection, including assessing and processing acquisitions, cataloging, entering/updating database records, creating finding aids, inventorying, enhancing documentation through digitization, and researching object information.  Initiates, plans, implements, and oversees projects independently and/or as directed by the curator or the institution.  

• Answers queries from researchers, colleagues, donors, and members of the public; facilitates  and supervises visits and access to objects and metadata.  Scans/digitizes objects and shares collection records, finding aids, and related materials through external repositories.  Responds to requests to license collection materials for use or publication, including negotiating agreement terms.

• Supports the Museum’s public activities and programs, including but not limited to collection tours, supporting exhibition development and maintenance, and participation in public events. 

• Stays current with professional fields related to the collection including trends and techniques in historical/archival collections management, archival research, conservation, digitization, informatics, documentation, ethics, and legal compliance, through avenues such as participation in professional societies, working groups, workshops, and conferences. 

• Trains, supervises, and manages collections personnel, including interns, students and volunteers.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree with specialization in an applicable field and experience in the collection, organization, care and/or conservation of historical archival collections; or a bachelor’s degree in an applicable field and 3 years collection experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Expert knowledge of factors important to the management of historical archival collections, such as historical time periods, preservation of common document, photo, and film types, and community standards and existing best practices in archival collections. 

• Working knowledge of the care and management of object-based (non-archival) collections.

• Demonstrated experience assessing, arranging, processing, and describing collections and writing finding aids.

• Experience with collections management systems or software typically used in historical or archival collections; working knowledge of metadata principles, cataloging standards (e.g., MARC, DACS, Dublin Core), and common tools like OCLC.

• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication.

• Ability to write reports, grants, professional correspondence, and procedure documentation.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MLIS or MLS degree from an ALA-accredited program.

• Experience with “born digital” historical/archival records and collections, and working knowledge of digital cataloguing and preservation.

• Working knowledge of practices and topics in public history.

• Working knowledge of legal topics such as copyright as it pertains to the collection and the use of its objects.

• Experience supervising a diverse team of staff, volunteers, and students.

OTHER INFORMATION

Annual salary range for this position is $69,000.00- $70,725.00.  This is a full-time, regular, exempt position with full-time benefits.

The primary location for this job is at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, with work sometimes required at the museum’s collections center in Vernon, CA.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, submit a current resume, a cover letter describing how your experience, knowledge, and interest qualify you for this position, and the names and contact information of three professional references through the Museum’s employment site at https://nhm.org/careers-our-museums/careers-natural-history-museum.  

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday, November 1, 2025.  Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Applicants and employees are invited to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made to assist them to perform the essential functions of the position they seek or occupy. The incumbent must be able to perform this job safely, with reasonable accommodation if necessary, without endangering the health or safety of him/her/themself or others.

Please contact [email protected] for any application inquiries.