Registrar

Registrar
The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures (TMTM)
Tucson, Arizona

Position: Full-Time and On-site

Position Summary

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures (TMTM) seeks an organized, collaborative, and mission-centered Registrar to lead the stewardship of the Museum's permanent collection and object loans in accordance with institutional policies and professional museum standards, including those established by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).

Working closely with the Curator, Facilities team, and Executive Director, the Registrar supports exhibitions, collections access, and long-term preservation initiatives. The role requires both strategic oversight and hands-on implementation, particularly in areas such as collections documentation, inventory management, storage improvements, environmental monitoring, and collections data integrity.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, solutions-focused, and excited to contribute to an institution that values innovation, collaboration, and care for collections.

Why TMTM?

At TMTM, we are deeply committed to being a welcoming and inclusive space for our community. We believe in the power of small things to tell big stories and in creating experiences that are accessible, joyful, and meaningful for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

This is a moment of growth for the Museum. We are expanding programs, deepening community partnerships, and thinking intentionally about how we interpret, care for, and share our collection. The Registrar will play an important role in shaping this next chapter by strengthening collections systems, advancing stewardship practices, and helping connect more people to the magic of miniatures.

Key Responsibilities

Collections Management & Documentation

• Create, maintain, enhance, and ensure accuracy of object records, exhibit records, loans, lender and donor contacts, other digital records, and image documentation within Past Perfect, the Museum's collections management system.
• Process all accessions and deaccessions in accordance with institutional policies, legal and ethical standards.
• Maintain consistent collections data standards, naming conventions, and documentation practices.
• Evaluate and improve collections workflows and operational processes that support collections stewardship and access.
• Manage inventory initiatives and ongoing collections audits.
• Create and maintain physical paper files for all museum accessions as well as other collection or exhibit related materials as needed.

Collections Care & Preservation

• Oversee the general care and preservation of the collection, including condition reporting and documentation.
• Conduct regular gallery and storage walk-throughs to assess environmental conditions and object safety.
• Collaborate with the Facilities Manager to monitor and improve environmental conditions and collections storage systems.
• Identify conservation needs and coordinate appropriate responses.
• Support emergency preparedness planning related to collections stewardship.
• Maintain awareness of integrated pest management practices and preventive conservation approaches.

Loans & Exhibitions

• Manage logistics and documentation for incoming and outgoing loans, including agreements, condition reports, packing lists, courier arrangements, and insurance coordination reports, packing lists, courier arrangements, and insurance coordination. Create and maintain digital records in Past Perfect for all loan and exhibition data.
• Oversee packing, crating, shipping, and handling procedures for all objects entering or leaving the Museum.
• Collaborate with the Curator and Facilities team on exhibition installation and deinstallation to ensure safe object handling.
• Facilitate logistics for temporary exhibitions and collaborate with colleagues on exhibition planning, object movement, installation, and deinstallation.

Inventory, Compliance & Policy

• Support and participate in the Collections Committee, including implementation and periodic review of collections policies and acquisition procedures.
• Maintain insurance documentation and support institutional risk management practices.
• Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and professional standards related to collections stewardship.

Project & Budget Management

• Manage registration-related projects, timelines, and associated budgets.
• Support grant-funded collections initiatives, including documentation and reporting.
• Assist with planning and prioritization of long-term collections care projects.

Collaboration & Supervision

• Supervise volunteers, interns, and part-time staff assisting with collections-related activities, as assigned.
• Work collaboratively across departments to support exhibitions, education, and institutional initiatives.
• Contribute to cross-functional planning related to collections access, interpretation, and care.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $50,000-$55,000 commensurate with experience.

As an employee of The Mini Time Machine Museum, you are also eligible for our benefits program, which includes medical and dental insurance, vacation, holidays and other benefits which will be described in more detail in the employee handbook.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter describing your interest in the role and your experience with collections stewardship, registration practices, and museum collections care.

Submit materials to Jennifer Hatcher by clicking the "apply" button on this listing. The position is open until filled.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace and visitor experience that reflects the diversity of our community.

We recognize candidates may bring a range of experiences and encourage individuals who meet many, though not necessarily all, qualifications to apply.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, History, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of professional registrar or collections management experience.
• Knowledge of museum registration practices, collections stewardship standards, and ethical guidelines, including AAM standards and museum best practices.
• Experience with collections management databases, spreadsheets, and digital file systems.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience with budgeting, project management, and grant-supported work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with decorative arts, small-scale, highly fragile, or object-rich collections.
• Experience with loans, traveling exhibitions, and courier responsibilities.
• Familiarity with conservation practices, environmental monitoring, and preventive collections care.
• Experience evaluating and improving collections workflows, operational systems, or collections-related processes.
• Experience working in museums with complex collections storage environments.
• Knowledge of image use and copyright.
• Foundational knowledge of photography and image processing and editing programs.

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