Wheelwright Current Employment Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employment
The Wheelwright Museum is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. It is our policy to encourage and support equal employment opportunity for all associates and applicants without regard to age, sex, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, individual genetic information, disabled veteran or Vietnam Era Veteran status.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Applicants, as well as employees who are, or become, disabled, must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The organization shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.
Wheelwright Current Opportunities
Collections Intern
- Offered to a Native American student.
- 10 to 15 hours a week for 10 weeks.
- The schedule is flexible.
- Paid Internship.
Primary responsibilities are with the Curatorial department:
- Gain hands-on experience of collections management (i.e. environmental management, integrated pest management, cataloging, inventory, database entry, and art handling)
- Assist with photography and detailed descriptions of the collections
- Assist with exhibition de-install and installation
- Assist with conditions assessments
- Other tasks may be assigned depending on the skill set of the candidate
Admissions & Membership Assistant/Gift Shop Online Support
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JOB DESCRIPTION
The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian is the oldest independent non-profit museum in New Mexico. Founded by Mary Cabot Wheelwright (1878–1958) in collaboration with the respected Navajo singer Hastiin Klah (1867–1937), it is situated in a historic building of modernist design based on a Navajo hogan designed by architect William Penhallow Henderson. Recognized as a historic landmark, it has been open to the public since 1938. The Wheelwright is an accredited museum with a permanent gallery, a lively exhibition and public program. It houses the founding collections of Navajo ceremonial items in addition to contemporary Indigenous North American art, and Navajo and Pueblo jewelry. The Wheelwright has aimed to work in partnerships since its founding.
JOB TITLE: Admissions & Membership Assistant/Gift Shop Online Support
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 2025
Reports to: CFO
Works directly with: CFO and Gift Shop Manager
Works indirectly with: Curatorial and Collections staff, Cast Trading Post shop (CTP) staff and volunteers, Finance and Operational staff
Supervises: Volunteers
FLSA Classification: Non-exempt (part-time Thursday to Saturday each week)
Salary:
JOB SUMMARY:
This position supports the museum by providing good customer service, accurate and detailed work and accurate maintenance of records for the development database. The expectation is that the Admission Clerk and Membership Associate will be informed on the activities of the museum, and membership can resolve problems quickly and can work well with visitors and colleagues. The other aspect is ensuring the visitor centered and donor-centered perspective and thus the advocacy and cultivation of several key constituencies, and the maintenance of confidentiality.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- High School diploma or GED.
- Proven experience of working in a public facing role, and experience of administration (sales, other).
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Experience of working with art, preferably Native American art.
- Ability to work with POS and CRM systems
SKILLS:
The skills are linked to the role which the public-facing and requires attention to details and ability to manage POS and CRM databases. A key responsibility lies with museum admission including management of entry fees and the second links to the processing and distributing of information about CTP inventory online, working with the PR/Marketing consultant and with the manager of the Case Trading Post. Both roles impact the public reputation of the museum, and the postholder should be presentable, professional, open, informed, timely and courteous. The postholder should also be able to respond to enquiries. Reports to the Fiscal Officer, whom these posts assist. Must demonstrate a high degree of timeliness, accuracy and confidentiality in the role. This position is part time: Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
Skills and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Personable demeanor and comfort in working with/communicating with the general public
- Proficiency with POS (Point of Sales) and CRM (Client relationship) management programs, and applications including excel, square
- Demonstrated understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the museum environment.
- Ability to work consistently and independently, anticipating needs, and managing multiple tasks and assignments simultaneously.
- Strong communication skills, face-to-face, and over the phone, and in writing (email)
- Accuracy and attention to detail as regards administrative elements and reconciliation of data through the POS and CRM (Versai) systems.
- Experience with handling and balancing cash at the open and close of business each day
- Knowledge of the contemporary Native American arts field, including commercial potential of certain products, initiatives and artforms, or potential to learn.
- Ability to communicate with variety of stakeholders, including artists, community members, donors, funders and visiting public across variety of media.
- An eye for detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Ability to work flexible hours (some weekends and evenings, depending on programming.
- Professional outlook, with discretion and sound judgement.
- Ability to speak Spanish a plus.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Two days a week at the reception desk
- Responsible for welcoming and communicating with the public at the admissions desk
- Handling and balancing cash at the open and close of business each day.
- Responsible for keeping CRM (Versai) system up to date, as regards membership, event participation.
- Responsible for generating correspondence.
- Responding to all inquiries (phone, email and in person) and knowing how to forward these to the appropriate person.
- Assisting with management and information on museum’s public programming, in terms of keeping museum wide agenda, responding to booking from educational institutions and other coming through info@email.
One day a week on Gift Shop duties:
- In consultation with CTP manager, responsible for taking photographs of 10 artworks per month and loading them onto Shopify, checking inventory on weekly basis and renewing.
- In consultation with CTP manager, responsible for curator 6 drops a year of work to encourage online purchases, starting with a Holiday show and a Valentine show.
- This will amount to pieces 15/month in total, with the average time of 1 hour per item.
- This is expected to take two days per month, with two extra days to assist with CTP and other reception duties, as assigned.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Additional administrative and clerical duties as required
- Assists volunteers and museum staff as required
- Part of the emergency planning team
- Willingness to work hours required for business needs.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to lift, carry and otherwise move up to 20 pounds on a regular basis.
- Ability to sit, stand, bend, kneel, reach, push, pull, or walk for various lengths of time throughout the day.
- Ability to utilize computer equipment to complete daily work responsibilities, and other equipment consistent with 21st century office environment.
- Ability to use manual and light-duty power tools.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT:
The Wheelwright Museum is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. It is our policy to encourage and support equal employment opportunity for all associates and applicants without regard to age, sex, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, individual genetic information, disabled veteran or Vietnam Era Veteran Status.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
Applicants as well as employees who are, or become, disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The organization shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
The above statements reflect the general duties and responsibilities considered necessary to perform the essential functions of the job. This document should not be considered a fully detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. The Wheelwright Museum may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.
Internships
Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply for internships at the Museum. The Ludwig and Nancy Sternberger Charitable Foundation, the Young Boozer Family Foundation, and the Norton T. and G. Leonie Batkin Fund have all historically provided support. Most interns assist in the curatorial department with collections management and exhibition development, but some may work in other areas helping all staff in the Museum. Most of these opportunities are available only to Native American students.
If you are interested in any of the following internships, send a letter of interest, resume, and proof of enrollment from your college/university (can be current class schedule or unofficial transcripts).
Send the required documents to collections@wheelwright.org. Please indicate what area you would be interested in.