Exhibitions Fabricator

Exhibitions Fabricator Missouri Historical Society - 3.7 St. Louis, MO Job Details Part-time $25.50 an hour 1 day ago Qualifications Carpentry Fabrication Sourcing Non-profit experience Power tools for woodworking Museum experience Safety standards in production Maintenance work Project timeline management Research Mid-level 3 years High school diploma or GED Industrial Design Schedule management 3D printing Prototype creation Purchasing Supplier selection Training Cross-functional collaboration Project leadership Production scheduling Plastics Delegation Prototypes Construction Management Communication skills Cross-functional communication Industrial design Full Job Description The Missouri Historical Society (MHS) is entering one of the most ambitious chapters in its 160 year history, with exhibitions at the center of this transformation. As one of the nation's largest, oldest, and most visited historical societies, MHS is investing in bold new ways to share the St. Louis story, through 12,000 square foot St. Louis history galleries opening in 2028, expanded education and public programs, and new communications strategies designed to reach broader, more diverse audiences. The Exhibitions Fabricator plays a critical hands on role in bringing these experiences to life, building high quality exhibition elements that collectively reach hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Working across the full exhibition lifecycle from conceptualization and prototyping through fabrication and installation, this role translates design intent into durable, engaging, visitor ready environments. The Exhibitions Fabricator primarily supports exhibits at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, ensuring exceptional craftsmanship through best practice standards, innovative materials, and close collaboration with cross functional teams. This is an individual contributor role with project level leadership responsibilities but no permanent supervisory duties.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Leads in house fabrication efforts for all exhibit projects including casework, partitions, graphic structures, scenic elements and artifact reproductions. Collaborates with Exhibit Designers, Exhibit Preparator, and Creative Technologies Developer on the development and prototyping of interactive elements. Assists the Associate Mount Maker with the finishing of artifact mounts as necessary. Collaborates with the Creative Technologies Developer on 3D printing needs as they pertain to exhibit fabrication. Reviews all design packages as distributed by Exhibit Designers and offers feedback as necessary. Specifically, reviews in detail all fabrication packages for a thorough understanding of Designers' intent before fabrication begins. Ensures all fabrication material and supply deliveries align with project timelines. Investigates new material vendors to ensure access to the highest quality product at the most affordable and reliable price and availability. As necessary, oversees and trains Temporary Preparators to assist in exhibit element fabrication. Manages fabrication shop tools and equipment and maintains shop safety standards and safe material handling. Researches and purchases appropriate equipment for fabrication. Creates and executes fabrication schedules that align to overall project goals. Coordinates gallery turnovers at MHM alongside the Exhibit Designer, Exhibit Registrar, and Exhibits Preparator as necessary. Coordinates with the Exhibits Preparator on the division of leadership on a case by case basis. Assists with the installation of small or community projects at MHS and off site locations as necessary. Performs regular gallery maintenance as necessary. Performs regular exhibit walkthroughs as part of a larger team tasked with ensuring the safety and quality of our exhibit experiences. Assists with the transfer of exhibit elements to and from other MHS operational locations. Assists in maintaining offsite storage sites, which includes organizing and inventorying exhibits elements, etc.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent required. Post secondary training in construction management, exhibit technology, scenic fabrication, industrial arts, industrial design, or a related field is strongly preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered. Minimum of three years of professional fabrication experience in carpentry, cabinetmaking, scenic fabrication, or a related trade. Experience in museums, nonprofits, or other public facing environments is preferred.

Skills and Experience:

Dependable, reliable, and self sufficient. Excellent time and project management skills. Excellent organizational, administrative, and communication skills. Advanced experience working with a variety of materials including wood, plastics, metals, fabrics, mechanical fasteners, and adhesives. Advanced experience with hand and power tools commonly used in a woodshop or worksite environment. Advanced experience understanding and translating design drawings and fabrication plans with an eye for detail and accuracy. Moderate experience developing cut sheets and other implemented designs to achieve the desired design intent supplied by the Exhibit Designer. Moderate exhibit installation experience. Moderate knowledge of alternative fabrication systems such as 3D printing techniques. Ability to adapt or learn new skills through creative problem solving to accomplish complex projects. Ability to juggle many simultaneous tasks and delegate tasks as needed. Ability to routinely handle objects of 50 pounds or more.