Associate Curator of Indigenous History

Montana State University

Bozeman, Northern (MT, KY)

On-site

USD 60,000 - 65,000

Full time

9 days ago

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Job summary

Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana seeks an Associate Curator of Indigenous History to lead the development of a new Indigenous cultures exhibition and related programs. You will build reciprocal relationships with Tribal Nations, coordinate reviews, manage budgets, and supervise staff.

The successful candidate will work with Tribal leaders and scholars to share Indigenous histories thoughtfully, foster collaborations, and advance MOR’s commitment to decolonized public history.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in a field appropriate for the position such as Museum studies, education, Native American studies, anthropology, history, etc.
Understanding of Native American histories and cultures and expertise in contemporary tribal policies and relations.
Demonstrated strong writing and research skills.

Responsibilities

Manage American Indian curatorial projects with exhibit team members and Tribal Advisory Committees.
Lead MOR’s Indigenous Cultures exhibit Under a Common Sky and coordinate Tribal Advisory Committees.
Perform research to support exhibits and programs.
Manage budget for the American Indian Exhibits/Collections.
Foster relationships with Native Nations and Tribal representatives.
Coordinate Indigenous Advisory Board administration.
Draft Memorandums of Agreements with Tribes or other organizations.
Supervise Indigenous Relations Program staff.
Train MOR staff and supervise the Indigenous Relations Program Lead and Curatorial Assistant.

Skills

Writing skills

Research skills

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

STAFF - VA - 27087

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

The Associate Curator of Indigenous History leads Museum of the Rockies’ efforts to thoughtfully and respectfully share the histories, cultures, and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples of the Northern Rockies. Working closely with Tribal Nations, advisors, artists, scholars, and museum colleagues, this position will lead the development of MOR’s new long-term Indigenous cultures exhibition, and support related exhibitions, research, collections, educational programs, and community initiatives. The Associate Curator will cultivate reciprocal relationships with Tribal partners, coordinate culturally appropriate review and permissions, administer the museum’s Indigenous Advisory Board, develop agreements with partner organizations, manage project budgets, and supervise Indigenous Relations Program staff. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and skilled communicator who understands that meaningful relationships and institutional change require trust, accountability, and sustained commitment.

Position Number

4C0537

Department

Museum of the Rockies

Division

Museum of the Rockies

Appointment Type

Professional

Contract Term

Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

Exempt

Union Affiliation

Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary $60,000 - $65,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type

LOA

Recruitment Type

Open

General Statement

Museum of the Rockies ( MOR ) is Montana’s most visited museum. In 2023, MOR served approximately 250,000 visitors and program participants. The museum has an ambitious strategic plan and is in the process of completing a master site plan that will help guide the museum over the next few decades. As part of the museum’s vision, MOR is in the process of designing a new Native history and culture exhibit, Under a Common Sky. As part of this project, MOR is working with numerous Native Nations from the Northern Rockies. The exhibit is part of a longer-term commitment to building lasting relationships with Native Nations and individuals. The museum is a college-level division of Montana State University, an independent nonprofit organization, a Smithsonian Affiliate, an accredited AAM museum, and a repository for state and federal fossils. Located on a 34-acre museum site, it includes a 120,000-square-foot-facility, the state-of-the-art Taylor Planetarium, the 220 seat Hager Auditorium, Martin Children’s Discovery Center, and Living History Farm, along with an off-site 553-acre paleontology preserve. MOR is located in Bozeman, MT, one of the country’s fastest growing and prosperous communities. Nestled into the Northern Rocky Mountains, the community offers bountiful outdoor recreation activities along with a vibrant culture of good food, art, and music.

Duties and Responsibilities

Work with the Cultural History team to manage American Indian curatorial projects, including communication with exhibit team members, setting project timelines and achievable outcomes; organizing agendas, and other functions as necessary.
Function as the project lead on MOR’s new long-term exhibit on Indigenous Cultures of the Northern Rockies, Under a Common Sky, and serve as the key point of contact for exhibit Tribal Advisory Committees.
Perform research as needed to support museum exhibits and programs.
Manage the budget for the American Indian Exhibits/Collections.
Sit on the Collections Committee.
Collaborate internally with the Cultural History and Education teams to develop exhibits, programming, interpretive materials, and other museum activities that share Indigenous topics in a thoughtful and culturally appropriate manner, including coordinating appropriate Tribal review and documenting feedback, permissions, and follow-up.
Foster relationships with Native Nations and Tribal representatives by working with leaders, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, elders, artists, and others.
Build an understanding of and communicate ways that the museum can better support the region’s Native Nations and people.
Collaborate with the museum’s Education Department and other departments to develop and implement Indigenous programing at the museum and in various communities.
Coordinate with MOR staff to administer the MOR Indigenous Advisory Board.
Participate as a museum staff team member on various projects, events, and committees.
Draft Memorandums of Agreements or Understandings with Tribes or other organizations, to clearly guide future public history efforts, including exhibits and programming.
Train MOR staff, and Supervise the one full time staff member, the Indigenous Relations Program Lead, and one part time staff member, the Curatorial Assistant for Indigenous History.
Implement MOR Indigenous Relations Programs activities and develop new strategies in collaboration with the Indigenous Relations Program Lead to fit the changing needs of MOR and tribes.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

A bachelor’s degree in a field appropriate for the position such as Museum studies, education, Native American studies, anthropology, history, etc.
Understanding of Native American histories and cultures and expertise in contemporary tribal policies and relations.
Demonstrated strong writing and research skills.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Experience building and maintaining equitable and reciprocal relationships with Tribal members and/or tribal governmental representatives in the Northern Rocky Mountain region.
Experience working in a museum or educational environment.
Knowledge of Indigenous material culture and the ability to apply it to thoughtfully and sensitively to tell appropriate Indigenous public history stories.
Advanced degree in Museum Studies, History, Native American Studies, Education, or Communication.

The Successful Candidate Will

Attention to detail and deadlines.
Act as an ambassador of Museum of the Rockies, believing in the museum’s mission and values, and promoting long‑lasting relationships based on trust and respect.
Interact with others in a respectful, thoughtful, patient, and trustworthy manner.
Demonstrate an ability to work in a complex, multifaceted organization and an appreciation that building relationships and decolonization will take time.
Be an excellent communicator with ability to work independently and with teams.
Maintain an enthusiastic and curious attitude about museum work and embrace museum best practices.
Demonstrate significant research and public programming skills.
Have knowledge and appreciation of traditional and contemporary Indigenous art and made objects, music, or other expressions of Native artists.
Communicate and work collaboratively with a various range of groups and institutions, including schools, museums, non‑profits, and Tribal Nations.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

Continuation of employment is contingent upon availability of funding.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?

Number of Vacancies

Desired Start Date

Upon completion of a successful search

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on September 22, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Required Documents