Museum Curator,

Summary

Museum Curator, IS-1015-12 Application Deadline: 18 September 2026Department: National Museum of African American History and CultureEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: Washington, DCCompensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / yearDescription OPEN DATE: September 8th, 2026CLOSING DATE: September 18th, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date).POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: Trust IndefiniteSCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DCPosition sensitivity and risk - Non-sensitive (NS)/Low RiskWhat are Trust Fund Positions? Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).Conditions of Employment Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.Complete a Probationary Period.Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.Overview The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The National Museum of African AmericanHistory and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture. The Museum Curator is in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and is located in the Office of Curatorial Culture.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Museum Curator provides scholarly research, defines and implements plans for development of a pre‑eminent collection in African American history and culture, with specialty in Black diasporic studies. In this position, you will:Initiate, develop, and personally participate in research programs that characteristically involve a systematic research approach to a problem area of considerable scope.Prepare for publication, scholarly reports of a descriptive and theoretical nature based on any specialization of Black diasporic studies.Define and implement plan for development of a collection.Verify, validate and assure proper identification, documentation, authentication, and storage of collection.Serve as expert and consultant on professional matters to other governmental agencies, colleagues, writers, educational institutions, research foundations and the public.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Applicants must possess the following basic requirements:Degree: museum work in African American history and culture; or in an applicable subject‑matter field. ORCombination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. ORFour years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in 1 above.Unofficial transcripts are required at the time of application if you're utilizing education to qualify. Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package. In addition to the basic education requirements, the ideal candidate should have demonstrated experience described below:Conducting research in history and culture.Organizing, managing, developing or refining collections of artifacts.Organizing, developing, maintaining or refining exhibitions.Conducting presentations pertaining to artifacts or exhibitions.Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.Relocation expenses are not paid.The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact humphriesy@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures ( Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following:

Job Description

Museum Curator, IS-1015-12 Application Deadline: 18 September 2026Department: National Museum of African American History and CultureEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: Washington, DCCompensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / yearDescription OPEN DATE: September 8th, 2026CLOSING DATE: September 18th, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date).POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: Trust IndefiniteSCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DCPosition sensitivity and risk - Non-sensitive (NS)/Low RiskWhat are Trust Fund Positions? Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).Conditions of Employment Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.Complete a Probationary Period.Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.Overview The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The National Museum of African AmericanHistory and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture. The Museum Curator is in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and is located in the Office of Curatorial Culture.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Museum Curator provides scholarly research, defines and implements plans for development of a pre‑eminent collection in African American history and culture, with specialty in Black diasporic studies. In this position, you will:Initiate, develop, and personally participate in research programs that characteristically involve a systematic research approach to a problem area of considerable scope.Prepare for publication, scholarly reports of a descriptive and theoretical nature based on any specialization of Black diasporic studies.Define and implement plan for development of a collection.Verify, validate and assure proper identification, documentation, authentication, and storage of collection.Serve as expert and consultant on professional matters to other governmental agencies, colleagues, writers, educational institutions, research foundations and the public.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Applicants must possess the following basic requirements:Degree: museum work in African American history and culture; or in an applicable subject‑matter field. ORCombination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. ORFour years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in 1 above.Unofficial transcripts are required at the time of application if you're utilizing education to qualify. Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package. In addition to the basic education requirements, the ideal candidate should have demonstrated experience described below:Conducting research in history and culture.Organizing, managing, developing or refining collections of artifacts.Organizing, developing, maintaining or refining exhibitions.Conducting presentations pertaining to artifacts or exhibitions.Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.Relocation expenses are not paid.The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact humphriesy@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian's Accommodation Procedures ( Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: