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Assistant Curator – Photographs, Film and SoundNational Collection Branch

Photographs, Film and Sound Section

Employment Type: Ongoing – Full Time

Classification: AWM Broadband 3

Position Number: 60000231

Reports to: Manager, Photographs

Direct Reports: None

The Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war or on operational service and those who have served our nation in times of conflict. Its mission is leading remembrance and understanding of Australia’s wartime experience.

Photographs, Film and Sound is a dynamic and energetic section consisting of curatorial and technical experts supported by dedicated administrative staff motivated in excellence and the delivery of service. Under general direction, the Assistant Curator, Photographs, Film & Sound (PFS), will assist with the interpretation, management and development of the National Collection.

The work involves setting priorities and working with other curatorial staff to: assess content, interpret and apply the National Collection Development Plan; undertake research and analysis in order to describe and catalogue collection items; handle and store collection material; liaise and negotiate with donors and coordinate with stakeholders; represent the section; respond to public enquiries and assist with project development where necessary. You will be required to provide expertise and recommendations for development and management of the Memorial’s PFS collections, including the research and interpretation of this collection.

You will also be required to work across multiple Memorial systems such as collection management systems (MICA, Piction and MediaBin) and document management systems (SharePoint and Trim) on a daily basis. This position entails working with potentially distressing and culturally sensitive material.

Core Responsibilities

June 2020

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Under general direction undertake a range of tasks related to the National Collection including:

• Contribute to the development of the AWM’s PFS collection by identifying and assessing potential collection material, and preparing acquisition proposals for review.

• Accession, research and catalogue items with an emphasis on the origins and significance of collection material.

• Contribute to the Memorial’s research, exhibition and publications programs. • Undertake independent and team-based research and collection based projects. • Register collection material and activities by documenting them on the Memorial’s collection

management systems (MICA and MediaBin).• Respond to client enquiries related to the PFS collection and provide information relevant to its

historical and cultural significance; assist clients to access information on matters related to the Memorial’s collection; use Memorial document systems (SharePoint and Trim) to maintain appropriate documentation of donations, enquiries and other collection related matters.

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders and represent the Memorial as required. • Participate in the planning and production of exhibitions and the preparation of exhibition items, and

undertake related administrative and project tasks as required. • Participate in team planning and training processes and contribute to the improvement of processes

and procedures.• Manual handling and movement of a wide range of objects including but not limited to boxes,

framed prints, photographic negatives and collection items as required. • Abide by and further the principles and practices of Work Health and Safety as outlined in the WHS

Act, taking reasonable care for their own health and safety and ensuring that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health of safety of other persons.

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated and highly developed research and analytical skills and experience working with digital and visual sources, including film, video, audio and photographic formats.

2. Demonstrated ability to cultivate productive working relationships, and to use initiative and sound personal judgement.

3. Ability to deliver business outcomes including strong organisational skills and demonstrated experience in setting task priorities, reporting on progress and paying attention to detail.

4. Demonstrated written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to work either independently and as part of a team and to liaise and negotiate with colleagues or members of the public.

5. Demonstrated ability to apply curatorial knowledge to the development of exhibitions, public programs, writing for online and print forums in a museum environment, and the representation of the Memorial in public forums, including conferences and media moments.

6. Demonstrated experience using collection management software and electronic filing systems to record and track collection items and documentation.

Desirable Criteria

June 2020

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Tertiary qualifications in a related discipline.

June 2020