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Exhibitions Curator (Assistant Librarian), Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, UT Libraries

The Exhibitions Curator is responsible for enhancing the reach and visibility of the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection's special collections and Benson programming by implementing a robust exhibition program in four physical spaces and online; coordinating promotion and programming efforts connected to exhibitions; working with UT classes and others to integrate Benson exhibitions into teaching and learning; and overseeing outgoing and incoming exhibition loans.

Click here to apply.

Job Posting Title:

Exhibitions Curator (Assistant Librarian), Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, UT Libraries

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Hiring Department:

UT Libraries

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Feb 28, 2023

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The University of Texas Libraries welcomes and respects all individuals and communities by valuing and consciously maintaining awareness of diverse perspectives and experiences. We believe inclusivity is critical to fostering excellence in all of our endeavors, and we promote diversity in our collections and services, as well as in our recruiting, hiring, and retention practices.

 

 

Purpose

The Exhibitions Curator is responsible for enhancing the reach and visibility of the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection's special collections and Benson programming by implementing a robust exhibition program in four physical spaces and online; coordinating promotion and programming efforts connected to exhibitions; working with UT classes and others to integrate Benson exhibitions into teaching and learning; and overseeing outgoing and incoming exhibition loans.

 

Key to the curator's role is their work at the intersection of Benson programming and Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS)-led initiatives. LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections pairs the abundant scholarly resources of one of the world's premiere collections of Latin American, U.S. Latina and Latino, and Black diasporic materials with the teaching and research focus of a leading institute of Latin American Studies.

 

 

Responsibilities

Exhibitions Oversight and Installation

  • Design, write, and install exhibits in the Benson Collection's galleries, at partner venues, online, and in print; and collaborate with guest curators

  • Establish workflows for Benson physical and digital exhibitions and co-manage Benson presence on the Spotlight exhibition platform

  • Work closely with LLILAS Benson communications team to implement a cohesive exhibition design consistent with LLILAS Benson intellectual production and branding

  • Work with development staff and grant coordinators on exhibitions project proposals and other fundraising activities

 

Outreach

  • Implement promotion and programming for all exhibitions; organize and lead gallery tours

  • Mentor volunteers and students from the Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS); the School of Information, Latino Studies at UT, the College of Fine Arts, and beyond

  • Work with faculty, LLILAS Benson Digital Scholarship Coordinator, LLILAS Benson Community Engagement Coordinator, K-12 educators, and others to integrate exhibitions into curricula and otherwise facilitate teaching and learning with Benson physical and digital exhibitions

 

Public Services

  • Provide in-person and virtual reference

  • Conduct rare materials showings to student groups, visiting researchers, donors, and campus partners

 

Exhibition Loan Program

  • Serve as primary contact for loans of collection materials to external institutions and outsourced digitization projects

 

Other related functions as assigned.

 

 

Required Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Museum Studies; Public History; Information Science; or related discipline

  • Specialization in or knowledge of Latin American Studies, Latino Studies, and/or the Black Diaspora in the Americas

  • Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly (verbal and written) for a general audience

  • Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish or Portuguese

  • Demonstrated experience with the practice of public exhibition curation and related digital technologies

  • Demonstrated ability to establish and meet project goals and manage competing priorities

  • Attention to detail

  • Strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility

 

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

 

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Professional experience in a museum or archive, or other relevant experience with museum/archival materials

  • Significant experience preparing and installing exhibitions including exhibition design, matting, framing, lighting, etc.

  • Experience working with culturally and racially diverse populations in the U.S. and/or internationally

  • Experience providing research assistance or teaching in a library or museum setting

  • Experience creating metadata for digital objects and/or working knowledge of a Digital Asset Management System (DAMS) or a digital exhibitions platform

  • Knowledge of preservation and conservation principles and practices

 

Research indicates that applicants with marginalized identities are hesitant to apply for positions if they do not meet all of the qualifications. We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleague develop these preferred skills.  

 

 

Salary Range

$50,000+ depending on qualifications

 

 

Working Conditions

  • May work around standard office conditions.

  • Climbing of stairs and ladders.

  • Weekend and evening work may be required.

  • Lifting objects, bending, kneeling, walking, standing.

  • Lifting and moving up to 25 pounds.

  • Ability to work safely with sharp instruments and around conservation equipment.

 

 

Work Shift

  • Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm, as arranged with supervisor. Flexible work arrangements with onsite and remote options are available.

 

 

Required Materials

  • Resume/CV

  • 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

  • Letter of interest

 

 

During your application, you will be asked the following questions:

  • Using Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO), UT Libraries' digital exhibitions and collections portals, the LLILAS Benson Digital Scholarship site, and any other resources available to you, BRIEFLY describe 2-3 potential exhibits that you would like to organize using Benson collections. Please limit your writing to 150 words and target your writing to a general (nonacademic) audience.

  • Select one of the exhibition ideas mentioned above. How would you approach outreach including events, class and community visits, and promotion?

  • Briefly describe your approach to including underrepresented groups in exhibitions. Please use a specific example if possible. How might this approach affect the way you plan and organize Benson exhibitions?

  • What is your experience (if any) with preparing physical exhibitions? This might include cutting mats, framing, creating basic exhibition supports, installation, setting lights, etcetera. If you do not have these skills, how would you approach building them in this position?

 

 

 

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

 

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

 

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

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