Philmont Scout Ranch Museum Department Positions

For a Full List and Description of Museum Positions please go to: https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/jobs/jobdescriptions/

Chase Ranch Camp Director*
Chase Ranch Program Counselor*
Custodial Staff
Gift Shop Assistant Manager
Gift Shop Clerk
Museum Specialist
Villa Philmonte Assistant Curator
Villa Philmonte Gardener*
Villa Philmonte Lead Gardener*
Villa Philmonte Staff (Tour Guide)
Volunteer Docent

Position: Museum Specialist:

Philmont Standards:
• Must be at least 18 years of age by start of employment (21+ requirement, if applicable, will be noted below)
• Must become a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America at the start of employment and subscribe to
the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Declaration of Religious Principles
• Must provide a complete and current BSA Annual Health and Medical Record to the Infirmary upon arrival
including review of risk advisory and immunization requirements
• Must maintain a clean, well-groomed appearance and be willing to purchase required uniform parts to meet
Philmont’s uniform policy
• Must participate in designated staff training
• Must adhere to the policies and programs set forth by Philmont Scout Ranch management

Position Overview:
The Museum Specialist acts primarily as a behind-the-scenes technician, providing their individual skills, knowledge and experience to technical museum projects. Projects may include work involving: document archives, collections management, collections conservation, collections cataloguing, assisting with exhibit curation, collections inventory, assisting in the library, writing and editing text, and general museum promotions. Occasionally, the Museum Specialist may be required to give lectures and hands-on program to our staff, participants and the public. When working on the public floor, the Museum Specialist must be a friendly face with all of the answers, ready and capable of providing excellent customer service to all visitors, participants and staff. This includes being comfortable greeting visitors in a polite manner, orienting them to the museum, and answering questions about our exhibits, library, Ernest Thompson Seton, Waite Phillips and the overall history of Philmont. The Museum Specialist reports directly to the
Director of Museums. While on Philmont property, the Museum Specialist acts as an official representative of the Philmont Museum – Seton Memorial Library.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
• Be part of a team wherein each staff member cheerfully shares the work load and develops the proper
attitudes for the job at hand.
• Provide excellent customer service to all visitors, staff, and participants.
• Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent information concerning the museum’s collections, archives and
security systems as instructed by the Director of Museums.
• Complete required paperwork and documentation in a timely fashion.
• Use diplomacy and tact while handling questions and confrontations
• Welcome visitors to the Museum, orient them to the facilities and answer questions to the best of your
ability. Assist other staff with learning facts and techniques necessary to handle visitors’ questions regarding
Philmont, museum exhibits and museum merchandise.
• Inspect all the museums exhibits, both indoors and outdoors, to ensure that they are clean, complete,
functioning and do not need repair or maintenance.
• Occasionally assist clerks in scheduling Villa Tours for participants and public visitors.
• Receive calls and visitors for museum staff, document a full and accurate message when asked.
• Ensure proper care of office equipment assigned for use.
• Working directly with other seasonal staff as they prepare for delivering living history program and
interpretive tours.
• Assisting others with research in both our library and archives
• Working in the main collections vault
o Proficient use of electronic collections catalogue, “Past Perfect V”
o Updating collections inventory o Photographing objects
o Researching objects for catalogue update
o Conservatory work with any of our collection items (objects, photos, art, documents, etc.)
o Preparing items for display in upcoming exhibits
• Working in the library
o Helping customers locate specific books and subjects
o Specific research for staff, outside researchers and/or volunteers
o Re-shelving books
o Working with and updating the electronic library catalogue, “ResourceMate”
• Curatorial work for future exhibits, articles or programs
• Organizing archives and updating archive catalogue
• Exhibit preparation and exhibit installation, and cleaning exhibits
• Conduct specialized lectures and hands-on workshops
• Complete other duties as assigned by direct supervisor or ranch management as required

Desired Qualifications & Experience:
• Must be 18 years of age by time of employment
• Ability to prioritize tasks and ask for help when needed
• Ability to fuction well with minimal supervision

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:
• Be able to lift and handle materials up to 40 pounds throughout the scheduled workday
• Up to 90% of the workday could be spent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, or crouching

Additional Information:
For more information about the Philmont Museums please visit: http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/Museums
Send inquiries to philstaff@scouting.org