CBWS Rice County Historical Society Collections Assistant

Hiring for the 202526 academic year (fall start date)

Job Title: Collections Assistant
Classification: Student Employee (nonexempt)
Name and Address of Employer: St. Olaf College 1520 St. Olaf Ave Northfield MN 55057

If the position requires the student to work off campus provide the name and address here:
Rice County Historical Society
1814 2nd Ave NW
Faribault MN 55021

Department Name: Community Based Work Study
Length of Position: See Employment Authorization

Contact Person/Supervisor: Dave Nichols Executive Director (Contact Person) Jenna Nelson Curator (Supervisor)

Pay Rate: Standard CBWS Hourly Rate $15/hr). This position is subject to an annual wage increase.

IMPORTANT: STUDENTS MUST HAVE A STATE OR FEDERAL WORK AWARD TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMMUNITY BASED WORK STUDY (CBWS) POSITIONS. Student CBWS work eligibility is subject to change due to work award redeterminations over the summer. This means even students who were a chosen applicant for the position may be ineligible to work if they do not have a state/federal work award come Fall 2025. Students who are unsure if they currently have a state or federal work award please contact before applying to find out what type of work award you have.

Description of the Position:

The student would be responsible for assisting the Rice County Historical Society staff and volunteers in the care and maintenance of its museum collection. This would include some light artifact conservation collections processing exhibits/collections research and artifact storage.

Transferable Skills:
The student will gain experience working as part of a collaborative team and independently. They will develop skills in museum collections care and processing as well as general experience in the field of Public History and the service to the community.

This position is detail oriented and as such they will develop skills in problemsolving project management teamwork communications and database operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in the processing and cataloging of new collections as well as updating and maintaining current collections records to museum standards.
• Conduct independently or as part of a team spot inventories of collections and collection spaces.
• Assist in the storage of artifacts as well as the movement of artifacts on and off exhibit as needed.
• Support staff in exhibits and collections research as needed.
• Perform basic care and conservation for permanent collection items advanced care may also be performed under the supervision and guidance of the Curator.

Qualifications: (Education/Experience/Skills)
Required
Students must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
Students must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time

Preferred
Experience with Microsoft Suite of programs
Experience with Google Suite of Programs
General Data Entry experience

List any additional or specific application questions pertaining to the position here (including need for any background checks certifications etc.:
Student must have transportation to Faribault on a regular basis

This job description is for general information purposes. It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position. This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College with or without prior notice.