Archaeology Museum Fellow

Note to applicants:  Only applications following the apply to format will be reviewed.  Please read the entire job posting, which includes specific information about applying for this position.  Thank you.

Archaeology Museum Fellow - Part-time 

The Staten Island Museum, located in New York City, seeks a part-time Archaeology Museum Fellow (Archaeology Fellow) to assist the museum’s initiative to inventory and reevaluate the Staten Island archaeology collection. 

The Staten Island Museum Fellow program is designed to provide access to paid work in a museum and to offer mentorship for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the cultural field. This is an excellent opportunity for college students and those early in their career to gain meaningful experience working in a museum to develop pertinent skills for their career path. 

This role is funded by an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums For America grant. It is a one year position with the possibility of renewal.

Working under the supervision of the Director of Natural Science, the Archaeology Fellow will assist with a large scale cataloging project of the museum’s Staten Island Archaeology Collection. The Archaeology Fellow will gain hands on experience, assisting staff with record creation in the museum’s collections management system and document scanning.

At the conclusion of the fellowship, the Archaeology Fellow will leave with practical knowledge of aspects of collections management – specifically the handling and documentation of items in the collection.

About the Staten Island Museum 

Founded in 1881, Staten Island Museum engages visitors with interdisciplinary exhibitions and education programs that explore the dynamic connections between natural science, art, and history based on its broad collections. The Staten Island Museum is a member of the Cultural Institutions Group, a public-private partnership with the City of New York. SIM is a premier cultural institution with a longstanding history in the community. In Fall 2015, Staten Island Museum opened its flagship building at Snug Harbor after a $24 Million renovation. Further expansion into an adjacent, connected building for a STEAM Education Center is planned, with groundbreaking on the first phase in early 2025.

The Archaeology Collection contains over 10,000 objects, almost all collected on Staten Island. The vast majority are stone artifacts created by the Lenape people and their ancestors, including projectile points, grooved axes, netsinkers, hammerstones, celts, and abrading stones. The collection spans from the Paleo-Indian Period (ca. 12,000 years ago) through the Archaic and Woodland Periods, and up to the time of European contact (ca. 1650). 

Learning Opportunities

• Gain experience in collections management with hands on experience
• Meet and work with museum staff and Staten Island’s arts and cultural community
• Attend all staff meetings to gain insights into all facets of museum planning and operations 
• Develop and refine practical and office skill sets
• As a museum team member, receive reciprocal admission to museums in NYC

Responsibilities including but not limited to: 

• Scanning archival documents
• Handling collections objects
• Creating collection object records in Past Perfect

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong attention to detail
• Solid work ethic and sense of responsibility
• Courteous, professional manner
• Strong interpersonal skills interacting with a broad range of colleagues and other stakeholders
• Excellent writing and communication skills

Qualifications 

• Completed 2 years of college or 2 years of relevant work experience
• Demonstrated interest in Museum Studies, Collection Management or Archaeology
• Computer and technology skills: working knowledge of MS Office applications. 
• Familiarity with databases is a plus.

Grant Funded Position Duration 
The Archaeology Museum Fellow position is a one year, grant funded role commencing in Fall 2025. There is a possibility of renewal.

Start Date and Schedule: 

The part-time position is open immediately. The Archaeology Museum Fellow’s weekly work requirement is a total of 20 hours scheduled Monday – Friday between the hours of 9:00am-5:00pm.   

Compensation   

$18 per hour. Eligible for paid sick leave. 

Additional perks:

• Free onsite parking 
• Access to professional development growth opportunities 
• SIM staff receive complimentary admission to participating NYC museums
  
   

Apply Directly to the Staten Island Museum

To apply, please submit cover letter and resume to apply@statenislandmuseum.org with subject line: Archaeology Museum Fellow – [your last name, first name]. 

Applications and interviews will begin on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted through December 12th or until the position is filled. 

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. If you believe you meet most of the qualifications, we strongly encourage you to apply. 

No Calls Please.