Assistant Preparator

Position Summary:

One of the largest, oldest, and most-visited historical societies in the country, the Missouri Historical Society is in the midst of a transformative decade. We believe public history has the power to build stronger communities, and world-class exhibits are essential parts of that work. The Missouri Historical Society operates three locations: the Missouri History Museum, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, and the Library and Research Center. In the years ahead, we will expand our efforts to share more history with more people than we ever have before. Those efforts include a new 12,000 square foot St. Louis history gallery set to open in 2028 and a dynamic schedule of temporary exhibits across multiple galleries at the Missouri History Museum and Soldiers Memorial.

The Assistant Preparator will assist in continuing to expand how we connect visitors to their shared past and to one another. We seek an experienced, creative, detail-oriented, and teamwork-oriented collaborator and supervisor to help coordinate and facilitate exhibit installation on projects ranging from short-term temporary exhibits to a major core gallery renovation.

The Assistant Preparator will service exhibits at all MHS locations including the Missouri History Museum, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, and Library and Research Center. In addition, the Assistant Preparator will supervise a crew of Temporary Preparators hired to assist with all aspects of exhibit fabrication and installation on assigned projects under the supervision of the Preparator.

The Assistant Preparator is expected to collaborate on exhibits as directed by the Preparator with all members of the Exhibits Department, as well as the Exhibits Registrar, Conservator, Curators, and staff at SMMM.

This contract position is expected to commence January 4, 2027 and conclude by December 31, 2028.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Supervises the Temporary Preparator crew as directed by the Preparator. Assistant Preparator is expected to be assigned to lead specific projects independently, as well as co-lead or lead aspects of specific projects under the direction of the Preparator.

• Supports the Preparator in creating and managing schedules and calendars based on assigned project needs and staff availability.

• Supports the Preparator in implementing team policies and procedures.

• Expected to work alongside Temporary Preparators on all projects and to be knowledgeable of progress made daily.

• Facilitates large install team meetings with Exhibition Designers a head of gallery turnover to ensure Temporary Preparators are knowledgeable about the upcoming install.

• Perform all project management duties associated with gallery turnover and maintenance of assigned exhibit installations under the direction of the Preparator.

• Coordinates with Exhibition Designers and Exhibition Specialist to ensure necessary costs do not exceed allocations based on project needs.

• Coordinates equipment rentals necessary for the install or deinstall of exhibit elements including trucks, forklifts, LEED certified dumpsters, etc. per MHS policies.

• Helps to maintain the proper inventory, storage and care of installation equipment and supplies under direction of the Preparator.

• Ensures all necessary installation supplies and hardware are ordered and onsite in time for gallery turnover.

• Reviews all relevant design packages for assigned projects as distributed by Exhibition Designers and offers feedback as necessary. Specifically, reviews in detail all installation packages for a thorough understanding of Design expectations before gallery turnover begins.

• Co-leads gallery turnovers designated by the Preparator at MHM alongside the project's Exhibition Designer and Exhibition Registrar. Coordinates with the Preparator on the division of leadership on a case-by-case basis.

• Co-leads gallery turnovers designated by the Preparator at SMMM alongside the project's Exhibition Designer and Soldiers Memorial Collections Manager. Coordinates with the Preparator on the division of leadership on a case-by-case basis.

• Supports the installation of small or community projects at MHS and off-site locations as directed by the Preparator. Coordinates with the Exhibitions Specialist on project specifications.

• Collaborates with Exhibition Designers on the prototyping and fabrication of interactives as necessary on assigned projects.

• Assists the Exhibitions Fabricator with fabrication of exhibit elements as necessary.

• Performs regular gallery maintenance at all MHS locations as necessary and as directed by the Preparator.

• Attends relevant large exhibit team meetings as schedules allow.

• Coordinates the transfer of exhibit elements to and from offsite storage sites and other MHS locations under supervision of the Preparator

• Assists Preparator in maintaining offsite storage sites which includes organizing and inventorying exhibit elements, etc.

• Ensures a safe working environment for all using the prep spaces at MHS & SMMM. This includes ensuring all tools and safety equipment are in good working condition and undergo regular maintenance assessments as necessary per MHS policies, as well as attending and/or running trainings for prep team as appropriate.

• Researches emerging best practices regarding fabrication and installation materials and products as appropriate.

• All other duties as necessary.

Education and Experience:

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Associate degree in construction management, studio art, or a related field or relevant professional experience preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of museum level exhibition installation experience, preferably in a nonprofit museum, museum-serving fabrication company, and/or equivalent sector.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience, preferably in a nonprofit museum and/or equivalent sector.

Skills and Experience:

• Dependable, reliable, and self-sufficient.
• Excellent leadership and supervisory skills.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and communication skills.
• Advanced exhibit installation experience.
• Moderate to advanced art or artifact handling experience.
• Moderate to advanced understanding of exhibit designs and/or fabrication plans.
• Moderate experience with general fabrication techniques.
• Moderate experience using lifting tools or machinery preferred.
• Ability to juggle many simultaneous tasks as well as to delegate tasks effectively.
• Ability to adapt or learn new skills through creative problem solving to accomplish complex physical projects.
• Ability to routinely handle objects of up to 50 pounds or more.

Disclaimer

This job description is designed to provide a general overview of the requirements of the job and does not entail a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that will be required. The Missouri Historical Society reserves the right to add to, remove or modify this job description at any time. This includes the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities as needed. The Missouri Historical Society also reserves the right to release or delete this position at any time.