Museum Technician 3 (Museum of Industry)

About Us

The Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage contributes to building a province which enhances pride in our creative and diverse communities and people, allowing us to embrace our past and influence our future. Our vision is for Nova Scotia to be an acknowledged leader as a place where cultural identity, expression, and economy prosper. A place where all people honour and embrace diversity and heritage.
 

The Nova Scotia Museum consisting of 28 museum sites, is the most decentralized museum in Canada. It is also one of the oldest provincial museums in the country. The Nova Scotia Museum is responsible for the provincial collection of over one million artifacts and specimens housed at museum sites and storage facilities across the province

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Curator of Collections at the Museum of Industry (MOI), the Museum Technician plans, researches, problem-solves, fabricates, designs, repairs, maintains and procures a range of products and services to directly support collections, exhibits and interpretation at MOI. This work requires a considerable range of technical, planning and communication skills.
 

Projects require the Technician to use strong interpersonal skills to consult and collaborate with a wide range of government and non-government contacts, including collections and conservation staff at other Nova Scotia Museum sites. The Technician supports the interpretation mandate of the Museum of Industry through fabrication, installation, dismantling, moving and maintenance of permanent, temporary and travelling exhibit structures and components, as well as programming props and materials.
 

The Museum Technician also supports collection management functions including understanding collections procedures and policies, moving and transporting artifacts and conducting basic conservation and restoration treatments to artifacts as directed.

Primary Accountabilities

Prepares artifacts and specimens for presentation in a range of installations/exhibits at the Museum of Industry. This includes fabrication of exhibit cases with materials compatible with the objects they house and following collections management procedures and best practices.
 

Utilizes skills and knowledge working with a variety of construction materials including woods, metals, plastics, glass, as well as digital media and a variety of finishes. Undertakes minor repairs and improvements to the building as directed.
 

Determines solutions and carries out actions to secure, stabilize and conserve specimens and artifacts in a range of environments (storage, exhibit, in transit, etc.) and in consideration of their specific conservation needs.
 

Develops, fabricates and installs specimen and artifacts mounts, exhibit components and panels, museum props and replicas in consultation with curatorial, interpretation and exhibit staff, ensuring that mounts are safe and object-friendly. 
 

Researches and procures a wide range of materials, products and expertise (sub-contractors) to conduct work that cannot be completed in-house, ensuring that contract expertise meets museum standards.
 

Contributes to a respectful, collaborative workplace by attending and contributing to team meetings, maintaining clear communications and timely updates to colleagues at the Museum of Industry and broader networks when required. Follows OHS and WHMIS policies and procedures and maintains workshop tools, equipment, storage and workspaces.

Qualifications and Experience

As the ideal candidate, you posses Grade 12, plus post-secondary training related to the area of speciality, plus three (3) years related experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be acceptable. Related speciality areas include carpentry and metalworking.
 

You also have:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience working with artifacts
• Problem-solving skills

Assets for this role:

Journeyman’s certification, a combination of skills working with both wood and metal, knowledge and experience in museum conservation practices and standards, especially in the treatment of metals, forklift operations experience, scissor lift and Fall Arrest training, WHMIS and OHS training are considered assets.   

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

Must have a valid driver’s license.
 

This position is occasionally labour-intensive requiring physical strength and dexterity. The work involves handing machinery, chemicals and waste materials. May be required to lift heavy machinery and materials. 
 

Use of ladders, scissor lift, and forklift are required.  The work requires bending, lifting and prolonged periods of time standing. The work is conducted in a large modern museum, with work outdoors on specific projects or sites as required. Most work is completed in typical metal and wood workshops using a variety of tools and finishes.  Some work is completed in the galleries of the museum in close proximity to the visiting public.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.