Description
The
Nickle Galleries Team in
Libraries & Cultural Resources is currently seeking a Full-time Regular
Technical Coordinator.
Reporting to the Curatorial Director, Exhibits and Programs, Nickle Galleries, the Technical Coordinator must accomplish a high volume of work within a public art gallery and museum operating within a university. Responsible for scheduling the complex workflow of multiple projects for the support staff of Nickle Galleries in an atmosphere of frequent change and shifting priorities. The outcome of the work has direct accountability to multiple audiences, including faculty and students both on campus and visiting, the wider public community and audience, media, and colleagues within Libraries and Cultural Resources.
The work balances multiple projects, timelines, and audiences simultaneously, including but not limited to exhibitions and programs, collections management, security and risk management, communications and publicity, information management, development and implementation of policies and procedures, mentorship and staffing, and support of teaching and learning.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Exhibitions and Public Programs
- Installation and de-installation of all exhibitions. Within a team environment, responsible for the physical layout, installation and display of exhibitions and objects and the transition between exhibitions. Involves supervision of outside contracted professionals and casual employees, faculty and students. Includes but is not limited to:
- Scheduling workflow of multiple projects, both immediate and future, for technical staff of Nickle.
- Preparation of objects and exhibition space, involving construction of walls and supports, repair and painting, design of space, construction of custom elements. Movement of art and artifacts following best professional practices and archival procedures.
- Communication with the Nickle team, visiting curators, and exhibiting artists to advise best solutions for a wide array of physical, technical, and aesthetic elements related to the display of artworks, which may involve AV equipment, interactive lighting, media, and digital display.
- Installation and design of exhibition lighting.
- Preparation of artworks and artifacts for display following best museum practices, including framing and matting, advising on conservation, and mounting.
- Regulates shipping and receiving of objects, exhibitions and materials that may involve assistance to and supervision of outside contracted transportation workers and Library staff.
- Unpacking and packing of art, artifacts and exhibition materials according to museum standards, may involve light construction in the design and build of containers for the transportation of objects and exhibitions.
- Responsible for ordering all construction and installation equipment and supplies, as well as capital expense planning and monitoring for technical areas of the Nickle.
- Design, set up, and control of workrooms (wood shop, matting and framing), including use, maintenance and repair of all equipment, and monitoring of supplies.
- Occasional curating of collection exhibitions, or input into collection exhibitions.
Collections Management
- Physical placement, organization, maintenance, storage and handling and safety of works of art and artifacts in three distinct and valuable museum collections.
- Together with the Gallery Registrar, appraises and recommends solutions and improvements to the storage spaces for the collections, planning and implementing their construction.
- Responsible for maintenance, security, environmental controls of storage spaces as well as access to those spaces, the movement of art and objects between and within, and preparation of collections for exhibition, shipment, loan to other institutions.
- Preparation of objects for presentation in secure classroom environments for teaching and learning, access to visiting scholars and curators, appraisal and evaluation as well as making recommendations for care and conservation.
- Assists in photographing, digitizing and organizing images of works and objects in the collections. Supervision of photographers of exhibitions and collections.
Security and Risk Management
- Assists with implementing security policy and procedure for gallery, offices, meeting and classrooms in the Centre for Arts and Culture; collection and back-of-house spaces, including pass card access, key inventory, and necessitates communication and negotiation with Campus Security, Facilities Management, campus locksmiths, Nickle and LCR staff.
- Assists with supervising MUSEO staff on security issues and responses both in general, and specific to each exhibition and public event.
- On call for emergency response.
- Assesses building and environmental issues, temporary construction, and all works of art and exhibitions for potential health and safety risks to the public and staff.
- Assists in monitoring environmental and physical conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) and seeking assistance of the Zone Manager and Conservator as required.
Communications and Publicity, Information Management
- Responsible for a portion of design and production of communications materials, including invitations and exhibition catalogues.
- Responding to inquiries from the public, students, staff and media by phone, in person and email.
- Assists in distribution of digital images associated with exhibitions and collections.
- Assists in presentation of art and artifacts (and access) for use by outside media and publicity purposes.
- Photographs, or assists and supervises contracted professional photographers, exhibitions, special events, and art and artifacts.
Administration, Building Management, Policies and Procedures
- Designs, organizes, and initiates physical modifications to the museum space, coordinating with Facilities Management for maintenance and repair.
- Facilitates all personal computer needs for Nickle Galleries staff, including hardware upgrades, software installation, and technical support.
- Oversees capital equipment expenditures with the Senior Curator and/or Financial Manager.
- Orients staff and students to all aspects of our facility (office space allocation, equipment access, building orientation, etc.).
- Supervise or direct caretaking staff as necessary.
- Gather and catalogue all of the museum's statistics, exhibitions, special events, acquisitions, and noteworthy accomplishments. Contribute to grant applications for summer student positions. Assist other staff with additional information regarding the application of federal or provincial grants.
- Attend and contribute to production meetings to discuss policies, procedures, and exhibition scheduling, planning, and preparation. Develop and refine policies to ensure best professional practices and museum standards.
- Evaluate and suggest institutional goals that should be brought forth for consideration.
Mentorship, Staffing, and Support of Teaching and Learning
- Through collections management, supports teaching and learning on campus by providing access to objects and artifacts to faculty, students and researchers.
- Direct teaching, mentoring, and supervision of graduate and undergraduate students for their production and installation of annual graduating thesis exhibitions.
- Train and select security staff, part-time technical staff, and summer student candidates as well as outside contracted professionals.
- Mentor and support LCR staff for displays and artifact handling.
- Assist Nickle and LCR staff members with any and all issues that require additional attention.
- Supervise public events to ensure university policies, Fire Code, and security requirements are being fulfilled.
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Undergraduate Degree in Fine Art or related area required; additional education or training in appropriate areas is an asset.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in exhibition installation and collections management in a museum or gallery setting required.
- Facility with personal computers and related devices required, including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheets and databases, communication programs (email, calendar, etc.), design and printing of promotional materials and exhibition catalogues, and responsible for the continuous upgrades and maintenance of all hardware and software needs of Nickle staff.
- Ability to adapt to advances in technology and software is an asset.
- Expertise in exhibition design and display, light construction, basic carpentry, basic electrical, workshop management and maintenance, shipping and receiving required.
- Accountable for designing equipment use in all workshops, preparation, storage and shipping/receiving areas and ensuring that all equipment is properly maintained, safe and fully functional.
- Current certification for sky lift operation.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills required; teaching or learning support experience an asset.
- Strong project management skills within a team environment are an asset.
- Current CPR and First Aid training required.
- Familiarity with University regulations and systems required; in particular, Occupational Health and Safety Management System, Facilities Management, and Supply Chain Management are an asset.
- Analytical skills in reaching sound decisions and resolving complex problems; ability to analyze and make recommendations and decisions; ability to handle emergency situations in a calm and effective manner.
- Local area travel is a requirement for this position.
- Requires a high level of experience and expertise in an unusual mix of knowledge and technical skills.
- High to moderate physical demands.
- High levels of stress on a regular basis related to complex project management and deadlines.
- Callout required for security response, as well as for disaster impact on the environmental conditions of exhibition and collection storage spaces in two buildings.
Application Deadline: October 9, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the
Technical Job Family, Phase 3.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our
Management and Staff Careers website.
About The University Of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy
ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.
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Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. 
