Museum Specialist,

Museum Specialist, IS-1016-09 Application Deadline: 3 August 2026Department: Smithsonian American Art MuseumEmployment Type: Full TimeLocation: Washington, DCReporting To: Acting Head CuratorCompensation: $70,623 - $91,815 / yearDescription OPEN DATE: 7/30/26CLOSING DATE: 8/3/26POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE: IndefiniteSCHEDULE: Full TimeDUTY LOCATION: Washington, DCPosition sensitivity and risk: Non-SensitiveWho May Apply: SI OnlyThis is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade 11. Promotion to the next higher grade may occur at management's discretion upon the supervisor's recommendation, subject to the availability of funds, classification requirements, satisfactory performance, and the employee's qualifications.What 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 This position is located in the Curatorial Office, Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), Under Secretary for Museums and Culture, Smithsonian Institution (SI). The Smithsonian Institution is a diverse museum and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. SAAM is devoted to the research, acquisitions, exhibition, care, and management of American art from colonial times to the present. The collection of 42,000 works of art includes paintings, Sculpture, Photographs, Prints, Crafts and decorative arts, and media arts.The purpose of the position is to carry out assigned and approved projects in the four areas of curation: research, exhibits, development, and management of collections and public service and to initiate and propose related projects for review by the Head Curator and Director.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES As directed by the Head Curator and in collaboration with departmental curators, develops research projects with appropriate scope and focus.Carries out approved projects under supervision of Head Curator.Conducts research on the permanent collection to help establish a complete database on each work.Initiates and maintains contacts with other scholars and curators in the field and is aware of current research.Works with curators to develop research directions and files for exhibitions and works of art.Works with curators to develop research directions and files for exhibitions and works of art.Works with Head Curator and senior staff to develop exhibition topics.Manages the development, preparation, and staging of exhibitions and exhibition catalogues, demonstrating an awareness of feasibility issues.Serves as liaison between curator and other departments to produce exhibitions.Responsible for the completeness and accuracy of all published information associated with the exhibition, including catalogues, brochures, installation graphics and wall text.Establishes contacts with donors and dealers within his/her field of expertise and may, on occasion, be asked to represent the museum in negotiations for gifts and purchases.Performs cataloging of collections as necessary and may review works in regard to loan requests.Helps guide departmental processing of acquisitions and loans.Present gallery talks and lectures related to the museum collections.Lectures and participates in symposia, panel discussions, or other programs related to the collections of the museum or issues in American art.Responds to routine inquiries from the public.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Education and Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess a bachelor's degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and/or 3-5 years of related experience (described below); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.Experience required for this position is as follows:Knowledge of the field of American art history and its non-American sources.Knowledge of the principles and methods of art historical research and the organization and preparation of exhibitions and publications.Knowledge of museum collections, as well as museum activities, programs, and standard procedures.Knowledge of fundamental museum practices and an understanding of the interrelationships among museum offices, functions, and responsibilities.Knowledge of effective written communication principles, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure, sufficient to produce work requiring little to no editing.Knowledge of conceptual thinking and the ability to comprehend and apply abstract ideas.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.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 weinwurmd@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.The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer . To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following:

Government Careers

Show more