Wustum Building Services Supervisor

RAM’s Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, 2519 Northwestern Avenue, Racine 53404

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range: $40,000 – $43,000 annually

Reports To: Curator of Education

General Summary of Position

This position is responsible for building and grounds cleaning, maintenance, and supervision of outside contractors at Wustum Museum. Other duties include monitoring the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems; custodial care of facilities and exhibitions; and oversight of safety and security programs.

Principal Job Functions

Assisting All Departments

  • Clean and maintain Wustum building.
  • Conduct regular preventive maintenance tasks/inspections of the Wustum facility and perform or arrange for repairs.
  • Coordinate and schedule work and repair projects with City of Racine Parks, Culture, and Recreation Services Department as appropriate.
  • Communicate with General Museum Assistants and/or interns regarding daily and weekly cleaning tasks and schedules.
  • Maintain Wustum grounds and gardens; supervise landscape contractors, and perform daily, weekly, and/or monthly tasks that keep the grounds and gardens up to museum standards.
  • Align all projects, schedules, and timelines with Curator of Education and Wustum program activities.
  • Upkeep of supplies and equipment.
  • Create and maintain vendor/contractor relationships.
  • Oversee contracted grounds work and coordinate annual plantings, seasonal mowing, weed treatments, and grounds maintenance schedule with landscape vendors.
  • Assist Education and Exhibition Department programs, museum events, and facility/wedding rentals with set up and preparation.
  • Assist and provide input into annual budgeting process and implement cost efficiencies.
  • Understand time, cost, and budgeting estimates, vendor contracts, and information to be provided to management as needed.
  • Clean and maintain exhibition galleries.
  • Assist art handlers as requested.
  • Plan, design, and implement safety programs that include:
    • Maintenance of MSDS information
    • Fire Safety
    • First Aid
    • Museum building and visitor security
  • Maintain maintenance workshop located on Wustum grounds.
  • Other duties and projects as assigned.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position requires exertion of 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently.  Requires ability to stand, lift, carry, push, and pull.  Occasionally involves working outdoors in various weather conditions.

Required Knowledge and Skills
  • Knowledge of basic plumbing, electrical, woodworking, painting, grounds keeping methods, equipment repair, and maintenance.
  • Knowledge of plants, growth patterns, indigenous flora species, and seasonal growing best practices.
  • Ability to determine and organize plans and schedules.
  • Maintain communications with management and other employees.
  • Use time management and problem solving skills.
  • Attention to detail.
Education and Experience
  • Five years building and grounds maintenance preferred.
Benefits

Benefits include group health insurance, group term life and disability insurance, eleven paid holidays, five personal/sick days and earned time off (ETO). A retirement plan is available on the first enrollment date following 12 months of employment with a generous employer match/contribution. Between hire date and the next January 1, one day of vacation is earned for every two months of employment. Starting January 1, the employee receives 10 working days (two weeks) of vacation. Earned time off, 11 paid holidays, and five personal/sick days are available immediately following the first full day of employment. Employee discounts are available on studio art class fees and on purchases in the Museum Store.

Email cover letter and resume to:
Tricia Blasko, Director of Education
[email protected]

No phone calls, please

Exhibition Preparator

Racine Art Museum, 441 Main Street, Racine 53403

Status: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

Starting Salary Range: $36,500-$39,000 Annually

Reports To: Curator of Exhibitions

General Summary of Position

This position assists the Exhibitions and Collections Departments in the performance of routine preparatory duties including the preparation and installation of exhibitions; maintaining and caring for the permanent collection; handling, packing, storing, shipping, receiving, unpacking; and transporting art works that are in the Museum’s care. This position serves both RAM and Wustum (two physically separate museums) as well as local offsite storage locations. The position reports directly to the Curator of Exhibitions and works closely with the Co-Preparator. Some evening and weekend hours are required.

Principal Job Functions

Handling and transporting works of art

  • Identified as a primary art handler.
  • Receiving and unpacking incoming/outgoing work; moving and placing work for storage and for exhibition; shipping and packing work for transport.
  • Work with the Registrar/Collections Manager in identifying adequate storage for all loaned objects when not yet on view.
  • Moving objects between RAM and Wustum campuses.
  • Works with the Registrar/Collections Manager to implement the transport and storage of incoming gifts, conservation, and exhibition loans.
  • Assisting with the packaging and shipping of articles sold by the Museum Store.
  • Packaging and transporting works of art from donors and lenders or to/from conservation.

Under the direction of the exhibitions staff, responsible for installation of exhibitions and works of art on display at both museum campuses

  • Preparation and cleaning of exhibition/display space.
  • Preparation, movement, and placement of exhibition furniture.
  • Preparation, movement, and placement/handling of works of art.
  • Establishing appropriate lighting and security for objects on display.
  • Installing signage.
  • Working directly with artists who are installing on-site.

Maintaining and caring for the permanent collection

  • Assists the Registrar/Collections Manager regarding packing and placing artwork in storage; maintaining, organizing, and cleaning the storage spaces.
  • Works with other staff to make objects available for catalogue or promotional photography.

Installing exhibitions in non-gallery locations and special projects

  • Works on exhibitions/events such as Peeps, the Holiday Tree, regularly occurring art sales, and others.
  • Preparation and cleaning of exhibition/display space.
  • Preparation, movement, and placement of exhibition furniture.
  • Preparation, movement, and placement/handling of works of art.
  • Establishing appropriate lighting and security for objects on display.
  • Installing signage.

General gallery/building safety and security

  • Shares responsibility with various staff for opening and closing the RAM building (lights, locking/unlocking, etc.)
  • Works with Registrar/Collections Manager to implement security procedures for galleries, building, and works of art.
  • Works with staff to maintain all aspects of gallery functionality.
  • Primary exhibitions contact for gallery lighting systems, works with Building/Facilities as needed.
  • General housekeeping duties in exhibition areas.
  • Works with Building/Facilities and other staff to coordinate tasks as needed.

Works with Co-Preparator to determine daily tasks and planning schedules. Consults with Curator of Exhibitions as needed.

Works with various other staff to share responsibility for shipping and receiving of packages at the loading dock and for maintaining that space.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position generally works in display, storage, and warehouse conditions. This is a physical position and requires the ability to safely lift/move art that could be fragile and/or of considerable weight. It is mandatory that the Preparator exercises self-awareness of the task at hand and obtains assistance from others as necessary for personal safety and to ensure protection of the art. Also required is the ability to climb ladders, use hand tools, and operate machinery such as a scissors lift. A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle that could be used to perform some work-related duties is required.

Required Knowledge and Skills
  • Ability to balance physical labor, attention to detail, and problem-solving.
  • Ability to complete a variety of tasks, sometimes under strenuous deadlines.
  • Ability to perform mathematically-oriented tasks such as determining gallery height for hanging work and calculating for proper matting and framing.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with artists, co-workers, and lenders.
  • Working knowledge of Art history, Art Education, Studio Art, or related subjects.
Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s Degree required. Previous experience in exhibit spaces, historical/art museums, galleries, or display venues desired.
Benefits

Benefits include group health insurance, group term life and disability insurance, eleven paid holidays, five personal/sick days and earned time off (ETO). A retirement plan is available on the first enrollment date following 12 months of employment with a generous employer match/contribution. Between hire date and the next January 1, one day of vacation is earned for every two months of employment. Starting January 1, the employee receives 10 working days (two weeks) of vacation. Earned time off, 11 paid holidays, and five personal/sick days are available immediately following the first full day of employment. Employee discounts are available on studio art class fees and on purchases in the Museum Store.

Email cover letter and resume to:
Lena Vigna, Director of Exhibitions
[email protected]

No phone calls, please

Receptionist/Museum Store Associate

Racine Art Museum, 441 Main Street, Racine

Status: Part-time, non-exempt

Pay Rate: $12.50/hour

Reports To: Supervisor of Guest Services/Museum Store Manager

Direct Reports: None

General Summary of Position

The Reception/Museum Store Associate is an integral part of the visitor experience at the Racine Art Museum campus (RAM) located in downtown Racine. This position ensures the smooth, efficient, and customer-oriented operations of the reception area and retail store by serving as the important first impression of the museum. Duties include greeting guests, answering general inquiries by phone and in-person, introducing current exhibitions, processing admissions/tours, and selling curated merchandise in RAM’s award-winning Museum Store. This position is also scheduled to work the front desk at RAM’s Wustum campus. Some weekends and evenings are required.

Principal Job Functions
  • Maintain a working knowledge of the programs, exhibitions, events, and other museum activities in order to assist visitors and other inquiries
  • Welcome members and visitors to the museum, its programs, and special events
  • Answer visitor inquiries by phone and in person
  • Set up the register and process sales of admissions, memberships, and Store merchandise
  • Monitor the museum galleries via security camera system
  • Provide concierge services to guests regarding restaurants and nearby points of interest
  • Liaise with administrative and curatorial staff in connection with other museum operations, meetings, and events
  • Capture and maintain attendance figures and visitors point of origin by accurately recording zip codes and other information as needed/requested
  • Maintain a clean work environment by performing light housekeeping as needed such as vacuuming, dusting shelves, straightening merchandise, and maintaining gift wrap area
  • Restock sales merchandise as needed
  • Assist with receiving new merchandise
  • Answer phone inquiries and direct/transfer calls to appropriate staff
  • Attend/work special events as required
  • Assist with online sales and orders
  • Assist with annual retail inventory
  • Clerical assistance to Exhibition, Education, and Curatorial departments as time allows
Qualifications
  • Retail or equivalent sales experience
  • Proficient in customer service
  • Sound oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to work well with others in a team environment
  • Moderate computer skills including logging on to systems, communicating by email, entering database information, composing documents, and downloading forms
  • Accurate and reliable handling of cash and credit card sales
  • Familiarity with POS (point-of-sale) system for cash receipts
  • Be conversant with all safety procedures relating to fire, security, and other emergencies
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
  • Must be able to stand/sit for extended periods of time
Other Duties as Assigned

The job description above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of the exclusive standards, responsibilities, duties or skills required. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform other related duties, as may be required.

Mail or email cover letter and resume to:
Laura Grayson, Supervisor of Guest Services
Racine Art Museum and Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts
PO Box 187
441 Main Street
Racine, WI 53403
[email protected]

No Phone Calls, Please

General Museum Assistant

RAM’s Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, 2519 Northwestern Avenue, Racine 53404

Non-exempt, Part-time, Hourly—Days, Evenings, and some Saturday Mornings/Afternoons

Wage: $12.00/hour

Reports To: Curator of Education

General Summary of Position

The General Museum Assistant (GMA) is responsible for assisting art instructors, staffing the reception area, and welcoming guests/class takers at RAM’s Wustum Museum. Other duties include maintaining cleanliness of museum galleries/studio spaces and assisting as needed with a variety of educational programming.

Principal Job Functions
  • Front Desk Reception Staff:
    • Greet and assist visitors/class takers
    • Record museum attendance
    • Process class registrations
    • Process payments
    • Answer phones
  • Education Assistants:
    • Assist Education staff and teachers with classes, art camps, and family programs at both campuses and off-site programming
    • Staff hands-on art activities/events at RAM
    • Prepare, set up, take down, and clean class or event areas
  • Housekeeping Duties:
    • Set up/take down classroom spaces
    • Maintain, clean, and vacuum museum galleries, classrooms, bathrooms, and other museum spaces as needed
Required Knowledge and Skills
  • Working knowledge of current museum exhibitions, programs, and events
  • Demonstrated knowledge of museum/education policies and procedures
  • Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to multi-task and proactively follow through on projects and tasks assigned
  • Knowledge of museum policies, building layout, and emergency procedures
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Flexibility to work days, evenings, and Saturdays
  • Other duties as assigned
Education and Experience

High school/college students or recent graduates are welcome—attempts will be made to accommodate school schedules

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

The ability to lift 50 pounds and move tables, chairs, and organize/distribute supplies as needed.

Please email cover letter and resume to:

Emily Brownell, Education Assistant
[email protected]

No phone calls please.

Equal Opportunity

RAMA complies with all Federal and State anti-discrimination statutes and does not discriminate for any reasons outlined in Federal or State law. This policy will be in effect in all hiring situations for full-time as well as part-time employees, temporary part-time employees educational instructors, interns and for the volunteers who enhance staff functions.

Love Art?  You’ll Love RAM!

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