Museum Curator - Higher Ed. jobs in Muskegon, MI

Dive into an adventure beneath the waves as the USS Silversides Submarine Curator at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum! Are you ready to embark on a career where every day brings new challenges and opportunities to preserve maritime history? Join our dynamic team and play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of our historic vessels. As the guardian of our floating exhibits, you'll execute maintenance operations, ensuring the USS Silversides and Coast Guard Cutter McLane remain shipshape for generations to come. If you're passionate about maritime heritage and posses skills to evaluate and upgrade vessel exhibits, we want to hear from you!

MUSEUM OVERVIEW

Located near beautiful Lake Michigan, our museum comprises three facilities: the two-story museum building housing temporary and permanent exhibits; the USS Silverside Gato-class submarine; and the USCGC McLane, a prohibition-era Coast Guard cutter. Outside the museum, we offer a wide variety of ways to engage with WWII and submarine history through lectures, classes, immersive events and community fundraisers.

The feature attraction of the museum is the World War II submarine, USS Silversides. The USS Silversides completed 14 combat war patrols and is officially credited with sinking 30 major Japanese ships (3rd highest total for any U.S. Navy Submarine). Moving to Muskegon in 1987, USS Silversides has been painstakingly maintained in its World War II configuration and is considered the U.S. Navy’s most successful surviving World War II submarine. In 1993, the Prohibition-era U.S. Coast Guard Cutter McLane joined the USS Silversides on display at the museum.

A proud staple of the Lakeshore community, the mission of the USS Silversides Submarine Museum is to honor the men and women of the military, preserve military history and provide experiences that educate the public about past and present military history and technology.

POSITION SUMMARY

The USS Silversides Curator is responsible for overseeing the maintenance activities of a World War II Gato-class submarine and 1920s Coast Guard Cutter, while developing new opportunities for new exhibits. This role requires a skilled individual with a strong background in marine vessel maintenance and preservation.

The USS Silversides Curator’s responsibilities include creating and executing preventative maintenance plans for all specified areas/vessels, budget management, project management, exhibit creation/maintenance and volunteer oversight.

This role will work with the Director of Curatorial Services and designated Committees to carry out the institution’s overall objectives.

The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of marine vessel systems and/or equipment maintenance – excessive knowledge of Gato-class submarines is not necessary, although helpful, but the ability to learn quickly regarding in depth systems will be necessary.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Vessel Maintenance:

· Conduct routine inspections and preventative maintenance on vessels

· Perform repairs and address mechanical issues to ensure the preservation and operational readiness when possible of vessels

· Collaborate with engineering and technical vendors to implement upgrades and modifications when necessary

Exhibits

· Evaluate current status of vessel exhibits

· Create masterplan for future exhibit creation

· Oversee preservation and restoration projects

Dry Dock Project:

· Participate in Dry Dock planning process

· Develop and execute project plans relative to maintenance needs

· Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including engineers, technicians, subcontractors, and others to ensure smooth project execution

· Ensure accurate and thorough documentation of all project activities, including reports, logs, and technical documentation regarding maintenance and restoration

Documentation and Reporting:

· Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, inspections, and repairs.

· Generate reports on maintenance status, budget utilization, and recommendations for improvements

· Ensure compliance with safety regulations and industry standards – overseeing the safety training program of the museum

Team Collaboration:

· Work closely with other museum staff to support events, exhibits, and educational programs as necessary

· Provide guidance and training to other staff and volunteers

· Collaborate with external partners and contractors as needed

· Present updates to the Board of Directors and other committees as necessary

· Oversees opening and closing procedures of the vessels and other areas as needed

REQUIREMENTS:

· Prior experience in maintenance, restoration, or related field strongly preferred, with knowledge of marine systems, propulsion, and electrical systems desirable

· Familiarity with preservation techniques, materials, and tools used in restoration projects

· Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot and repair mechanical and electrical systems

· Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation

· Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

· Flexibility to work occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for special events and projects

This job is a civilian position and does not require military service (including commission and enlistment). We are not connected to the Department of Defense. We are a 501 c 3 which does not receive any federal or state funding. Any reviews regarding the Department of Defense or the U.S. Navy should not reflect the USS Silversides Submarine Museum.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46,196.05 - $55,633.95 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Muskegon, MI 49441: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person