Museum Officer
(Museum Technician, Art Gallery Technician)
Fact Sheet
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Identifying an animal to be kept as an exihibit |
Museum officers prepare items for collections, and construct and arrange museum and art gallery exhibits.
Duties and Tasks
Museum officers may perform the following tasks:
- clean fossil specimens, mould and restore skeletal parts, construct skeletal mounts, re-assemble fragmented specimens and make 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
Quick Facts
School subjects that include some aspect of ART provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an art-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspect of BIOLOGY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a biology-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspect of HISTORY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a history-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspect of INDUSTRIAL ARTS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an industrial arts-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
The main duties and tasks involved in these jobs require daily physical exertion, such as bending and twisting, lifting, climbing, pulling, pushing, carrying or other effort where physical fitness is required. People with heart, back or other conditions who should avoid physical strain may wish to avoid these jobs. Jobs requiring physical effort have been excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
Included are jobs in the visual and graphic arts, in the crafts and in the performing arts, such as music, theatre, radio, film & television, as well as general entertainment and sporting jobs.
Included are jobs involved in the preparation and publication of printed materials, jobs involved in the study of society and the relationships between people, and jobs concerned with the preservation of items of significance to society.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH IDEAS to investigate or seek solutions to scientific, technical, social or other issues. Activities include observing, researching, analysing and interpreting results. The ability to develop theories, apply logic and explore abstract ideas in a specialist area of knowledge is important.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH IDEAS, to creatively express, present or perform them. An appreciation of design, style, form, beauty or related concepts used to develop or interpret an idea are important. Activities include writing, painting, singing, dancing, decorating, designing and performing.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH THINGS, using the hands, or special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust them. Activities include doing practical and physical tasks, and may require an understanding of how equipment or machinery works.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of secondary education and/or completion of some further study of a vocational nature, such as a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma.
Work Conditions
Museum officers work mainly indoors, although extensive fieldwork may be required in some areas.
Personal Requirements
- patience and a methodical approach to work
- able to pay attention to detail
- aptitude for design
Occupation Video - Museum Officer