Assistant Curator of Education

Are you passionate about sharing the mission and goals of a Museum? Looking for a new career where you have the ability to utilize your skills in museum education and be a part of an exciting and diverse team? If so, the City of Ontario has the perfect opportunity for you! The Ontario Museum of History & Art is searching for an organized and self-motivated individual to join the team as an Assistant Curator assigned to Education. The Assistant Curator assigned to Education is responsible for development and coordination of school and volunteer programs, including assisting in the development of public programming and outreach materials, resulting in effective communication of the Museum’s exhibits and community programs and activities.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess strong communication and presentation skills, exemplary organizational and time management skills, and a passion for creativity, collaboration, and teamwork. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate great attention to detail as well as the ability to take the initiative, be open minded, and work in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, the successful candidate will embody the Department’s mission and vision as well as the qualities of a “Five Tool Player” – Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant – and the values of the City’s Approach to Public Service – Commitment to the Community, Excellence through Teamwork, and Doing the Right Thing the right way.

The Assistant Curator classification is used throughout the Department of Museum, Arts & Culture in a variety of assignments. This recruitment will result in an eligibility list for this classification to meet the current and future staffing needs of the Department. The current vacancy is for a Curator of Education.

The City of Ontario reserves the right, if necessary, to accept only the first one hundred (100) applications from applicants that meet the qualification guidelines below. Completed applications will be reviewed and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the City, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

The Community Life and Culture Agency

The City of Ontario’s Community Life & Culture Agency endeavors to meet the Ontario City Council goal to “encourage, provide or support enhanced recreational, educational, cultural and healthy city programs, policies and activities.” Community Life & Culture does this through a comprehensive array of programs, activities, services and events available through the Housing Services, Library, Museum, Arts & Culture, and Recreation & Community Services Departments.

The City of Ontario’s Department of Museum, Arts & Culture enhances knowledge and appreciation of our Inland Empire community through dynamic, inspiring, and creative exhibits, collections stewardship, family-friendly educational programs, cultural events, and public art. MAC reflects pride in our legacy, who we are, where we live, and who we aspire to be, as well as supports artists of all backgrounds who create experiences that are inclusive, innovative, and relevant. To learn more about the Ontario Museum of History & Art, please view the Department’s Strategic Plan here. (Download PDF reader)

Assistant Curator description image

The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario is proud to have the reputation of being a progressive City, providing solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including: Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Financial Services, Human Resources/Risk Management, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City’s team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.

The City’s vision for the future is very exciting, and we foresee tremendous growth within the year(s) to come. We invite you to learn more about the City of Ontario by reviewing the City’s website. A few useful links are listed below, including a link to the City’s 2024 State of the City:

Examples of Essential Functions
The essential functions performed by all Assistant Curators typically include the following:

Assists curatorial staff on collection management, exhibit and educational program development.
Assists in the development of graphic materials to market collections work, exhibits and public programs.
Coordinates in-house exhibition research for upcoming exhibits and permanent collections.
Assists with researching and developing grant applications and other funding opportunities.
Assists with division budgets and expense tracking, correspondence, reports, arranges studio visits, and general office responsibilities.
Represents the Museum at events, meetings, and gatherings of the City and general public.
Coordinates the activities of volunteers, staff, contract artists, and program participants.
Collaborates with other City departments and assists in communication efforts between the Museum and artists, volunteers, participants, and other community organizations.
When assigned to Education, functions performed include:

Coordinates development of K-12 educator materials, including outreach brochures, lesson plans, and sample activities.
Assists in managing the activities and planning of education programs in history, gardens, visual, and/or media arts, including research, design, staffing, and assessment.
Teaches and/or coordinates tours and workshops for K-12 students and adults in history, gardens, visual, performing, and/or media arts.
Provides metrics, data collection, maintenance, analysis, and reporting on tour and community program participants.
Assists with development of a strategic community engagement plan to increase visitorship to the Museum, especially school and community groups.
Manages, orders, and tracks inventory for art supplies.
When assigned to Exhibits, functions performed include:

Coordinates installation of temporary permanent, and traveling exhibits, including care of all works, exhibit design, and security.
Assists curatorial staff with research and writing related to developing temporary exhibits and collections based programs.
Assists exhibits staff in curating annual exhibits.
Supports exhibition research, development, and planning: completes and tracks exhibition paperwork including checklists and interdepartmental coordination.
Supports in copy-editing and proofreading all exhibition materials.
Coordinates transportation and insurance requirements for traveling exhibitions.
Coordinates distribution of exhibition marketing materials, such as press releases, local news listings and university outreach.
When assigned to Collections, functions performed include:

Supports research on collection materials and/or artifacts in coordination with collections and curatorial staff.
Maintains and improves collection storages across Museum sites.
Maintains and updates object records in collection management database.
Qualification Guidelines
Education

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in U.S. or California History, Museum Studies, Art, History, Anthropology or closely related field.

NOTE: Proof of successful completion of a Bachelor’s Degree must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative at, or before, time of the reference check process. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degree/Certifications. Failure to provide the required documentation at, or before, time of the reference check process will result in disqualification.

Experience

Two years of museum experience, including either collections management, exhibition development, public education programs, volunteer programs, and/or museum education. Possession of a Master’s degree may substitute for one year of related experience.

Licenses

Valid Class C California driver’s license and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

Desirable

Prior teaching or facilitation experience in a K-12, college and/or adult classroom setting. Bilingual in Spanish.

Salary: $26.93-$32.73/hour

Benefits: The City of Ontario values the health and wellness of our employees and their families. We understand benefits are an important part of your total compensation and we take pride in offering a comprehensive benefit package. Check out benefit packages here .

Depending upon the assignment, employees within this classification may fall under the Part-Time Compensation and Benefits Profile or be represented by Teamsters Local 1932. For a list of benefits of benefits offered, review the applicable benefits brochure.

Education requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Deadline to apply: June 24, 2024

Documents required to apply: Resume, references

How to apply: Apply here. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise log in with your user name and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:

List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.

List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).

Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.

A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.

NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.