Joseph Govednik
Professional Experience
Cowlitz County Historical Museum - Museum Director
(July 2017 - present)
The Cowlitz County Historical Museum, located in Kelso, Washington, is a premier example of successful partnering between local government and a private non-profit organization for the benefit of the community, something I consider myself fortunate to be involved with. The Museum, created in 1953, shares the local stories of Cowlitz County and the Lower Columbia regions. Topical themes included in the
Museum’s permanent exhibit, Cowlitz Encounters, include stories about Native American presence past and current, pioneer westward movement, logging operations, railroad expansion, industry and ports, and of course, Mt. St. Helens!
Currently, I am the Museum Director and also serve as the Executive Director of the Cowlitz County Historical Society, which is in partnership with Cowlitz County in the operations of the Museum. I oversee and direct all activities of the museum and am thankful to work with an outstanding staff, County government, and Historical Society Board of Directors.
Foss Waterway Seaport - Museum Curator
(March 2011 - June 2017)
The Foss Waterway Seaport is a maritime center located on Tacoma's downtown waterfront. It includes a Maritime Museum, Marine Science Education Programs, Heritage Boat Shop, and Event Venue. Upon completion of a $27 million renovation of the historic Balfour Dock Building, which houses the museum, the Foss Waterway Seaport will become Puget Sound’s premier maritime heritage center with over 14,000 ft of exhibits space.
As the Curator at the Seaport, my main responsibilities included exhibits design and development, collections management, and management of the heritage boat shop. Other duties included marketing, community outreach, supporting education programming, community programming, facilities maintenance, and volunteer management.
Columbia College - Instructor
(January 2010 - Present)
Columbia College was founded in 1851 as a Christian female college and eventually became a co-educational private liberal arts college. Columbia college expanded many satellite campuses to serve the U.S. Armed Services at various bases throughout the U.S. and abroad. In 2010, I had the opportunity to teach at the Columbia College satellite campus located at Coast Guard Island, California. Eventually I continued to instruct courses in General Anthropology in the online format for Columbia. I have now been with Columbia for over five years and enjoy the interactions offered with its diverse student population.
National Japanese American Historical Society - Consultant
(January 2010 - February 2011)
Located in the heart of San Francisco’s “Nihonmachi”, or Japantown, the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) was formed in 1980 as “Go For Broke, Inc” in reference to the motto of the 100th and 442nd Regimental Combat Teams, manned by U.S. soldiers of Japanese ancestry. It has since blossomed into a museum, cultural archive, and research center, telling the story of the Japanese-American experience.
I consulted with the NJAHS in artifact identification working closely with the historical society’s Collections Manager. In addition to identification, I assisted with inventory and collections care.
Lindsay Wildlife Museum - Volunteer
(January 2008 - February 2011)
The Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek, California, is a natural history museum with living collections. The museum also houses a regional wildlife animal hospital which treats over 5,500 injured and orphaned wild animals each year.
Originally working as an intern, I continued on as a volunteer with the museum after my internship ended. I catalogued, inventoried, and organized specimens from both the permanent collections and educational collections. I also performed collections conservation and database management.
California Academy of Sciences - Intern
(July 2007 - March 2008)
The California Academy of Sciences is a world-class natural history museum with over 26 million specemins in its collection. . I worked with the Department of Ornithology and Mammalogy assisting with the relocation of collections from a temporary downtown San Francisco location to the newly renovated $488 million facility in Golden Gate Park. I worked particularly with the alcohol collections which contained specimens stored in alcohol solutions.
All Seasons Pool Service - Owner
(July 2000 - February 2011)
I launched my company in 2000 and continued operation until relocating to Washington State in 2011. All Seasons Pool Service offered basic pool service, equipment repair, and chemical treatments. I expanded the company from an initial seven clients to over 80 accounts, including both residential and commercial. All Seasons Pool Service gained a positive reputation for prompt and reliable service evidenced by a loyal clientele of many years. A believer in continuing professional education, I became certified in water chemistry, basic equipment repairs, and electrical systems. I also served as vice-president of the East Bay chapter of the Independent Pool and Spa Service Association (IPSSA). I sold my business to a friend I mentored in the pool industry after accepting a position as Museum Curator in 2011.
Western Career College - Department Head, Instructor, Graduate Student Services
(November 1998 - October 2005)
Western Career College (WCC) was located in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. This career-oriented school offered programs in Pharmacy Tech, Vet Tech, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing, and Dental Assisting. WCC students graduated with an Associates Degree along with their certification in the above programs, which was advanced for programming at the time. I was responsible for instructing the general education courses leading to the associates degree, and eventually supervising the general education department at the San Leandro campus. I also served in graduate student services, assisting with job placement and instructing a career transition course for graduating students. My favorite part of the job was planning and coordinating the colleges graduation ceremonies. Western Career College currently operates under Carrington College of California.
C.E. Smith Museum of Anthropology - Graduate Student Employee
(May 1998 - June 1999)
The C.E. Smith Museum of Anthropology is located in Mikieljohn Hall, the home of the Department of Anthropology at California State University East Bay. The museum exhibits ethnographic artifacts from regions including Asia, Africa, North America, and smaller collections representing Central and South America. The museum is open to the public and is used as an opportunity for students in Anthropology and Archaeology to facilitate hands-on exhibition experience connected with museum coursework offered by the department.
I assisted with an inventory of the entire museum collections to identify items that could be regulated by The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) law. Furthermore, I did exhibit installations, assisted with the Osteology Laboratory, and communicated with appropriate tribes regarding NAGPRA compliance.
http://class.csueastbay.edu/anthropologymuseum/Home_Page.php