Career Opportunity

Curator III - San Francisco Public Library (3544 PEX)

Recruitment: RTF0135113-01120528

Published: May 08, 2023

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About:

Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt (PEX), full-time position. This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process, is considered "at will" and shall serve at the discretion of the appointment officer.

Application Opening – May 5, 2023
Application Deadline – May 19, 2023, at 11:59 PM (PST)
Compensation Range: $89,882 - $109,304 annually
Recruitment ID: RTF0135113-01120528

San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) is dedicated to free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joys of reading for our diverse communities. The library system includes the architecturally significant Main Library in the city’s Civic Center, 27 neighborhood branch libraries, two administrative buildings and four bookmobiles. With a collection of more than 3.7 million items, and circulation exceeding 11 million each year, SFPL serves more than 6 million visitors annually. The library system has extraordinary political and fiscal support that mandates an annual funding allocation from the city’s property tax revenues, resulting in a budget of $171.2 million in FY 22. With a strong budget, SFPL has approximately 900 employees committed to outstanding public service.

In June 2018, the Library was named Library of the Year by Gale/Library Journal for its active promotion of San Francisco’s values of inclusion, diversity, and equity and its ability to create programs and policies that support those democratic values. The library embraces its role as the most democratic of institutions, providing safe and welcoming facilities for all. Through a robust array of services and programs, the library places an emphasis on literacy and learning, digital inclusion, social justice, equity and healthy communities.

San Francisco Public Library must build a culture, space, and workplace that is accessible and welcoming to all current and future employees, and to actively build an environment in which all people, regardless of background, identity, or ability, can be equal participants. In this way, our staff at all organizational levels can reflect the communities we serve. A safe, equitable public library is an actively anti-racist public library. Creating an inclusive public library means aligning with the lived realities of people of color. The San Francisco Public Library is committed to advancing racial equity for our workforce and community. SFPL will actively engage in anti-racist practice, programs, and collection development in carrying out the Library’s mission.

Role description

Under the direction of the Communications and Public Affairs Director, the Curator III will oversee the research, cataloging, preparation, installation, and preservation of artworks, museum collection objects, and gallery exhibitions at the San Francisco Public Library. The Curator III will oversee the exhibition team to perform robust level of exhibition work all year long, at Main Library's two museum-quality galleries plus smaller exhibition spaces throughout the Main Library and all 27 branch libraries.

Essential duties of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Plans and supervises the installation of Library collections and loaned objects for exhibitions; conducts research in connection with identifying and publicizing information on objects in the collection or from loaned materials;

• Plans and conducts programs of instructions in exhibition subjects and subject appreciation for visitors to the Library’s galleries; lectures on, discusses, interprets, and provides tours regarding the Library’s exhibitions;

• Supervises, counsels and instructs graduate students engaged in research and thesis preparation in the fields of museum service and museum education; plans and prepares circulating exhibitions of objects for loan to other educational institutions, museum collections and libraries;

• Supervises the storage of artworks and exhibition objects;

• Develops programs and expert talks relating to exhibits and collections; prepares articles and publicity materials regarding exhibitions;

• Prepares and maintains exhibition contracts and other routine correspondence, memoranda, records and reports relative to the Exhibition Unit’s operations and activities;

• Creates and executes exhibitions by proposing topics; identifies objects and lenders; contributes to exhibition design; researches and writes label text and accompanying information; and related duties

• Offers community outreach and oversight of the solicitation of exhibition proposals from artists and other community organizations; schedules regular recurring review of proposals and sets exhibition calendar; and

• Other related duties as assigned.

Nature of Work: The nature of work requires a high level of manual dexterity to move art and operate tools/equipment. Involves frequent climbing on ladders, scaffolds, and lifts; medium to heavy work requiring lifting, carrying, and moving materials, tools, and equipment, and finished exhibit and display fixtures and furniture.

Work Location: Incumbent will station at the Main Library, 100 Larkin Street. However, there may be situations where the incumbent will be required to perform duties at 27 neighborhood branch libraries and other off-site locations throughout the City as required.

Work Schedule: The normal work schedule for this position may include some weekend and evening hours; appointee must be willing to work this schedule.

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in the fine arts, art history, decorative arts, design, history, library science, museum studies, natural history, science, technology, or other closely related disciplines; AND
    
2. Five (5) years of museum experience; AND
    
3. Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds

Note: One-year full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

The above minimum qualifications reflect special conditions associated with the position(s) to be filled. They may differ from the standard minimum qualifications associated with this class code.

Desirable Qualifications:
The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring:

• Knowledge of the City’s purchasing systems and requirements, and ability to maintain relationships with City vendors.
• Knowledge of proper techniques for handling valuable works of art, including those for mount-making, installing exhibits, crating, packing and unpacking objects.
• Knowledge of the general methods of gallery operations and procedures.
• Demonstrated concern for detail, accuracy, and neat executive of work.
• Knowledge in special care and handling of irreplaceable and valuable objects.
• Demeanor suited to a fast-moving and dynamic environment.
• Excellent oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to deal effectively and courteously with Library staff, lenders, donors, vendors, and the public.
• Ability to multitask and perform a variety of tasks independently.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently within the team and organization.

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found here.

Verification of qualifying experience, when requested, must be documented on the employer's business letterhead and must include the name of the applicant, job title(s), dates of employment, description of job duties performed, and signature of the employer or the employer’s authorized representative. Experience claimed in self-employment will only be accepted if supported by documents verifying income, earnings, business license and experience comparable to minimum qualifications above. Copies of income tax papers or other documents listing occupation and total earnings must be submitted. Employees of the City and County of San Francisco may submit performance evaluations showing duties performed to verify qualifying City experience. City employees will receive credit for the duties of the class to which appointed. Credit for experience obtained outside of the employee's class will be allowed only if recorded in accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Commission Rules. Verification may be waived if impossible to obtain. The applicant must submit a signed statement explaining why verification cannot be obtained. Waiver requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Failure to provide the required verification, or request for waiver when requested may result in rejection of the application.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. 

Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility and disqualification.

Applications will be screened for relevant and qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be implemented in order to determine candidates' qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the department will be invited to participate in the selection process. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to an interview.

Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully pass a medical examination to determine their ability to perform the essential functions of the job and/or the ability to meet the physical minimum requirements.

What else should I know?

Terms of Announcement:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website.

Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: At the City and County of San Francisco, we share a commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable community. Each member of our organization is responsible and accountable for what they say and do to make San Francisco an inclusive and equitable place to live and work by employing fair and just practices to and for all.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco

Information About The Hiring Process
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview
Equal Employment Opportunity
Disaster Service Worker
General Information concerning City and County of San Francisco Employment Policies and Procedures
Benefits Overview
ADA Accommodation
Veterans Preference
Right to Work
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement

HOW TO APPLY
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ and begin the application process.
 
• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the Senior Human Resources Analyst, Raymond Wang, via email: raymond.wang@sfpl.org.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.