Curatorial Assistant, Exhibition Coordinator - Museum

About the Organization

The City of Markham is recognized as one of Canada’s leading municipal employers and has earned repeated national recognition for workplace excellence. The municipality is known for sustainability leadership, forward-thinking urban development, and prudent financial stewardship. Serving a community of more than 370,000 residents, it offers the chance to do work that has visible impact across a diverse and growing city.

Role Overview

Applications are being accepted for a temporary part-time Curatorial Assistant (YCW Graduate Internship) – Exhibition Coordinator role at the Markham Museum within the Economic Growth, Culture & Entrepreneurship Department of Development Services Commission.

This position supports the development of a major temporary and touring exhibition, working title LAND, as part of a co-production with the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) Museum & Archives, with support from the Government of Canada.

The selected candidate will also help produce major community events, contribute to outreach initiatives, and assist with the upkeep of current exhibitions throughout the work period.

Museum Context

Markham Museum spans 25 acres and includes 31 historical and modern structures, along with gardens, orchards, and landscape features that support the interpretation of local history. The site welcomes around 50,000 visitors each year through booked programming, camps, public events, weddings, corporate rentals, and casual visits. A 17,000 sq. ft. Collections Building on site is used for temporary exhibitions, collections care, and public research.

Key Responsibilities

• Track the progress of exhibition planning and design, including budget control, timeline monitoring, meeting coordination, and follow-up with staff and partners to keep milestones and quality standards on track.
• Use and update project management tools, identify process improvements, and help keep the team aligned and accountable.
• Prepare early-stage tender documentation, compile vendor lists, and support a competitive procurement process in line with municipal by-laws and grant conditions.
• Maintain records related to copyright, credits, object loans, and purchases for props, toys, and interactive components.
• Manage credit-name tracking for the exhibition’s acknowledgment panel.
• Develop touring agreements and related instructions and educational kit frameworks, including coordination with the YRDSB courier so touring housings suit transport limits, facility access, and staff lifting capacity.
• Research and connect with community organizations, repositories, and individuals to collect information and document contributions to the project.
• Present exhibition schedule updates to the Collections Committee and Board.
• Help improve internal procedures and reporting systems.
• Support the care, maintenance, repair, dismantling, and reinstallation of existing exhibits to professional standards, and assist with small additions for festivals, fundraisers, pop-ups, and other events.
• Take part in team meetings, networking opportunities, and social activities, and provide support to colleagues when needed.
• Carry out duties safely, follow corporate policies, and report incidents promptly using the correct forms and processes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A completed post-secondary diploma or degree in a relevant field such as Museum Studies, Archives, History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Natural History, Education, or another related discipline.
• Genuine interest in pursuing museum work as a career path.
• Ability to communicate professionally in both spoken and written formats.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening, as determined by the City of Markham.
• Strong curiosity and interest in art, natural history, or human history.
• Working knowledge of MS Office, database systems, and accurate keyboarding.
• Proven research and writing ability.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to interact respectfully and sensitively with a diverse group of staff.
• Well-developed organizational skills, strong teamwork, the ability to work independently, and excellent attention to detail.
• A work style aligned with customer service, innovation, fiscal accountability, inclusiveness, results, teamwork, problem solving, communication, and quality standards.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting up to 20 kg, bending, stooping, overhead reaching, and moving around a 25-acre site.
• Willingness to work outdoors at times and in unconditioned storage spaces where weather changes, pollen, mold, dust, insects, and small animals may be present.
• Knowledge of digital photography is an asset.
• Experience handling artifact and archival collections, along with familiarity with preventive conservation, is an asset.
• Understanding of collections management software and thesaurus-based cataloguing is an asset.
• Work at Heights certification, Firearms Possession and Acquisition License, High Five PCHD Certification, and a G Driver’s Licence are assets.
• Second language ability is also considered an asset.

Work Schedule and Duration

The assignment runs from August 31, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

The posting refers to 28 weeks and 35 hours per week.

Program Eligibility

This opportunity is supported by Young Canada Works Building Careers in Heritage. Applicants are expected to confirm their eligibility through the program requirements.

Candidates must meet the hiring criteria under the federal Youth Employment Strategy and be enrolled in the Young Canada Works student registry.

Core Behaviours

• Service Excellence: Consistently meets or surpasses service expectations when working with community members and colleagues.
• Change and Innovation: Responds constructively to change and supports others through transitions.
• Teamwork and Relationship Building: Works collaboratively and respectfully in an inclusive environment.
• Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally while listening actively.
• Accountability and Results Orientation: Acts ethically, follows policies and legislation, and stays aligned with City values.
• Management and Leadership: Demonstrates professionalism, self-management, engagement, and leading by example.

Additional Information

The role is a temporary seasonal vacancy.

The City of Markham is committed to accessible, inclusive, and barrier-free employment practices and will accommodate applicants as needed during the hiring process.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted, and communication will be by email.

Recruitment uses an applicant tracking system with AI-enabled features, but people make all screening and selection decisions.

Submit a resume and cover letter by June 30, 2026.