Collections Project Officer North Sydney

Reporting to the Museum Collections Manager, this newly created role will be based at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney. The purpose of the role is to conduct a site-wide audit of the museum collection and to review the objects and artworks, ensuring that all items are appropriately documented, catalogued and digitised.

This role is site based in North Sydney, working 3 days per week for a fixed term period of up to 18 months.

About us:
Founded in 1866 by Saint Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart operates as a registered charity with central offices in Sydney, regional offices across Australia and offices in New Zealand and Ireland and a presence in some other countries.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart (SOSJ) is a Catholic religious congregation, founded in South Australia in 1866, by Saint Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods. The Sisters, who are commonly known as the Josephites, immerse themselves amidst the everydayness of life to empower others and bring hope. Education, in its broadest sense, is their main work, as they seek to face the crises affecting Earth and its people with compassion.

Saint Mary MacKillop is widely acclaimed as a great Australian woman educator and social reformer. Her commitment to improving the lives of the poor inspired other women to join her in establishing schools and welfare institutions across Australia and New Zealand. The story of her life and those of the congregation’s co-founder, Fr Tenison Woods and the Sisters, are told through Museums in North Sydney, Adelaide, East Melbourne and Hobart. Each of the Congregation’s museums is co-located within a site offering other conferencing and/or accommodation services. These museums are managed by the Spirituality Ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

We value, respect and are committed to the safety of all people. We have a zero tolerance for adult and child abuse or mistreatment. Applicants are encouraged to read our Adult and Child Safeguarding Commitment Statement, Safeguarding Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy as part of the application process. These documents are available on our website under the heading ‘Safeguarding’ (www.sosj.org.au).

We are committed to improving employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Peoples and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.

About you:
To be successful in this role you will hold -or study towards- a qualification in Museum or Culture Heritage studies. This role would be well suited to a recent graduate who is keen to start their career. In this role, you will be well supported by an experienced collections manager. Your excellent communication skills enable you to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels including management and Curator of the museum at Mary MacKillop Place.

The key challenge in this role will be to implement processes ensuring that the museum collection is appropriately documented and digitised. The outcome of your work will assist the Congregation to make decisions about the preservation of the historical and cultural materials linked to the founders and heritage of the Sisters.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Under the direction of the Museum Collections Manager, implement the collections management processes in line with established policies for objects and other cultural and historical property held within the collection.
• Conduct a comprehensive site-wide audit and review of all collection items including objects on display and in storage.
• Document, catalogue, and digitise a range of collection items across multiple locations, adhering to museum standards.
• Under the guidance of the Museum Collections Manager, carry out preservation and conservation tasks in accordance with museum best practice.
• Operate, maintain and update the collections management database to ensure accurate records, effective tracking, and efficient access to information.
• Conduct research to enrich documentation and enhance the understanding of the collection’s historical and cultural significance.
• Work closely with the Museum Collection Manager and other team members to deliver timely and high-quality project outcomes.
• Build and maintain relationships with museums and galleries, church agencies, government departments and other organisations to advocate for the Mary MacKillop Museums and establish networks.
• Contribute to the development and management of project specific budgets.
• Develop and manage project-specific budgets.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential
• A qualification (or studying towards) in Museum Studies, Cultural Heritage or a related discipline or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of cataloguing, documenting or digitising museum or archival collections.
• Ability to work effectively to achieve project outcomes.
• Ability to travel within NSW.

Desirable
• Experience working with cultural heritage or historical collections.
• Experience using collection management databases.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Successful applicants will be required to provide a valid NSW Working with Children Check in line with our Compliance Check Policy.

For further information about the Sisters of Saint Joseph, please visit www.sosj.org.au. For more information about the role, please obtain a position description via careers@sosj.org.au. Applications, which will need to include a cover letter outlining how you meet the selection criteria for this role and a CV (resume), should be submitted via email to careers@sosj.org.au by 9am on 1 September 2025.