Collections Specialist, Photographs [End-Dated]

About the Metropolitan Museum of Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly known as the Met, presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world. It operates two iconic sites in NewYork City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters—and a robust online experience. About the Department of Photographs The Department of Photographs is devoted to the study, collection, and exhibition of photography and time‑based media from 1839 to the present. It houses more than 90,000 works, including the archives of Walker Evans, Diane Arbus, and James VanDerZee, and received the Walther Collection in 2025—over 6,500 photographs from diverse regions. Position Summary Collections Specialist (1‑year fixed‑term). Working with the Associate Collections Manager and the Walther Collection Curator, the specialist will manage the unpacking, processing, and documentation of the Walther Collection. Primary Responsibilities Organize and assist with the unpacking, moving, and rehousing of the Walther Collection, coordinating with technicians, photo conservation staff, and curators. Oversee the daily schedule for staff at UOVO. Create object location records and maintain/update location records as works are unpacked. Coordinate conservation checks and conduct object and catalogue photography. Create and maintain records in The Museum System (TMS). Compile and maintain collections documentation for the project, both digitally and in physical files. Assist with catalogue of the Walther Collection. Respond to Walther Collection inquiries. Work with collections and conservation teams to order supplies and materials. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in art history or a related field (emphasis on history of photography preferred). Master’s degree in collections management, museum studies, art history, or a related field preferred. One to three years of collections care experience, preferably in a museum or cultural institution. Detail‑oriented, proactive professional with the ability to work well under deadlines, solve problems independently, and collaborate within a team. Strong knowledge of photographic practice and/or history. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent organizational skills, including time management and multitasking. Ability to create and maintain precise records. Fluency with TMS or other collections management systems strongly preferred. Fluency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required. Fluency with project management systems, such as Workday and JIRA, strongly preferred. Ability to lift boxes up to 40 pounds. Will be required to work at an off‑site location. Compensation Pay Range: $70,000.00 – $80,000.00 annually. The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. Location Requirements Employees must be located within commuting distance of the museum in one of the following states: NewYork, NewJersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania. Benefits Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. 403(b) basic retirement plan with optional matching. Paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 museum holidays. Long‑term disability coverage. Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account. Commuter benefits for parking or mass transit. Financial‑planning services. Discounts for staff at museum shops. Subsidized staff cafeteria. Access to the Museums Council pass for free admission to participating museums. Equal Opportunity Employer The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay‑off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact our HR department. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Metropolitan Museum of Art