The Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
6155 Arner Townline, Kingsville, Ontario
Curator
Position Summary
The Curator is responsible for the professional stewardship, preservation, documentation, and interpretation of the museum’s permanent collection, including artifacts, historic vehicles, and heritage structures.
This senior role provides leadership in collections management, grant development, exhibition planning, and oversight of the Heritage Village’s historic buildings and site assets. The Curator also serves as a public ambassador for the museum at community events and professional engagements.
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Curator plays a central role in ensuring institutional sustainability, adherence to professional museum standards, and advancement of the museum’s mission and strategic priorities.
Core Responsibilitiesopportunity
Collections Stewardship & Management
- Provide strategic and operational oversight of the museum’s artifact, vehicle, and archival collections.
- Catalogue acquisitions and maintain comprehensive records using the PastPerfect Collections Management System.
- Ensure all acquisitions, deaccessions, loans, and transfers comply with institutional policy and recognized museum standards.
- Maintain accurate physical and digital documentation for accessions, loans, and transfers.
- Coordinate artifact appraisals for insurance and tax receipting purposes with the Board of Directors.
- Oversee storage planning, environmental monitoring, and preventative conservation practices.
- Implement and maintain security and risk management procedures to safeguard collections.
Grant Writing & Resource Development
- Identify and pursue municipal, provincial, and federal funding opportunities.
- Prepare and submit grant applications to support collections care, staffing, capital improvements, and exhibitions.
- Manage grant reporting requirements and ensure compliance with funding agreements.
- Contribute to long-term funding strategies in collaboration with the Board.
Grant writing and funding acquisition are essential and ongoing components of this role.
Heritage Village & Site Oversight
- Oversee the stewardship and maintenance coordination of historic buildings and site infrastructure.
- Work with contractors, maintenance personnel, and volunteers to prioritize repairs and preservation projects.
- Ensure buildings and grounds are maintained in a safe, functional, and historically appropriate manner.
- Contribute to capital planning and long-term preservation strategies for heritage assets.
Exhibitions, Interpretation & Digital Design
- Plan, develop, and implement exhibitions that are engaging, historically accurate, and mission-aligned.
- Oversee exhibit installations, upgrades, and interpretive improvements.
- Create museum panels, signage, posters, and other interpretive materials using Canva and other digital design software.
- Ensure accessibility and educational value across museum spaces.
Public Representation & Community Engagement
- Represent the museum at off-site public events, recruitment fairs, conferences, and community gatherings.
- Promote museum programs, initiatives, and fundraising efforts.
- Build and maintain relationships with community partners, donors, sponsors, and stakeholders.
- Support volunteer recruitment, mentorship, and student engagement initiatives.
- Maintain and update the museum website and digital platforms to ensure accurate, timely public information.
Governance, Analytics & Institutional Development
- Assist the Board in the development and review of collections policies, disaster preparedness planning, accessibility initiatives, and other policies.
- Ensure compliance with professional museum ethics and standards.
- Contribute to strategic planning and institutional growth initiatives.
- Collect, analyze, and report on visitor attendance, volunteer hours, and donation tracking to support decision-making and funding applications.
Required Qualifications
- Post-secondary degree in Museum Studies, History, Heritage Conservation, or a related field (required).
- Demonstrated proficiency in PastPerfect Collections Management Software (required).
- Proven two-year experience in collections management and exhibition development.
- Demonstrated success in grant writing and funding acquisition.
- Experience overseeing heritage sites, historic buildings, or capital projects is considered a strong asset.
- Proficiency in digital design software (e.g., Canva) for museum panels, signage, and promotional materials.
- Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic museum environment.
Reporting Structure
- Reports directly to the Board of Directors.
- Works collaboratively with museum staff, volunteers, contractors, and community partners.
- Supervises students, volunteers, and project-based staff as required.
This is a full-time permanent position (40 hours per week). Tuesday – Saturday.
Pay: $25.50 per hour
6- month probation period
Occasional evening and weekend work required for events and public representation.
To apply, please contact chair@ctmhv.com and curator@ctmhv.com.
Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.