Collections Steward - Decorative Arts

Smithsonian Institution; New York (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution seeks a Museum Specialist to manage European and American decorative arts collections, ensuring proper storage, handling, documentation, tracking, and preservation of objects across facilities.

You will support researchers and visiting scholars, handle loans and acquisitions records, and maintain databases as part of a team focused on research excellence and operational reliability.

Qualifications

• Selective Placement Factor: ability to read Italian, German, and/or French.
• Experience: 1 year specialized in a museum or similar institution using collections management software to track and locate objects.
• Resume must be no more than two pages and clearly map to responsibilities and specialized experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform collections management duties, including intake, processing, outgoing packages, and reporting concerns to supervisor.
• Assist visiting scholars with access, handling, and use of library resources; respond to inquiries about collections and practices.
• Prepare correspondence and create records for loans, acquisitions, and disposals; resolve minor issues with lenders or donors.
• Maintain departmental databases on packages, supplies, equipment, literature, space, etc., and assist in moving collections between facilities.

Skills

Read foreign languages

Tools

Collections management software

Job description

The Smithsonian Institution seeks a Museum Specialist to manage European and American decorative arts collections, ensuring proper storage, handling, documentation, tracking, and preservation of objects across facilities.

You will support researchers and visiting scholars, handle loans and acquisitions records, and maintain databases as part of a team focused on research excellence and operational reliability.