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Museum Officer

Also known as Art Gallery Technician and Museum Technician.

Museum officers prepare specimens for collections, and construct and arrange museum and art gallery exhibits.

Museum officers work mainly indoors, although extensive fieldwork may be required in some areas.

TASKS

Museum officers may perform the following tasks:

clean fossil specimens, mould and restore skeletal parts, construct skeletal mounts, re-assemble fragmented specimens and create substitute pieces
construct models and make castings or moulds of artefacts and objects for display purposes
mount and prepare objects for display according to conservation requirements
design and build display cases, mounts and other exhibition presentation devices
design, prepare and install display hardware
receive, ship, pack and unpack exhibits
maintain museum files
supervise and assist other workers in the cleaning, cataloguing, labelling and storing of specimens

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

patient, with a methodical approach to work
able to pay attention to detail
aptitude for design

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Museum Education Officer - initiates, develops and administers special programmes to inform and educate visiting school groups and other members of the public about the collections and exhibitions. Education officers may also organise and travel with mobile exhibitions to suburban or country areas.

Education officers often combine previous career experience in education, learning or community development work with a career in museums.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

You can work as a museum officer without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job.

Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have relevant volunteer experience or qualifications.

You may like to consider a VOC qualification in information and cultural services; library, information and cultural services; or library and information services. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.

You can also become a museum officer through a traineeship in Information and Cultural Services; Library, Information and Cultural Services; or Library and Information Services.

Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

You could also consider completing a relevant bachelor degree at university. See the separate entry for Museum Curator for further information.

Additional Information

Most public galleries, museums and National Trust properties have volunteer programmes, which usually include training and practical experience. Contact the volunteer coordinator at the organisations you are interested in for details.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Higher positions such as senior museum officer are filled by advertisement, and competition for vacancies is strong. Appointment to a particular level will depend upon qualifications and experience. See the separate entry for Conservator for further information.