Museum Curator

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; Bowie (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Bowie, MD seeks an Associate Collections Curator. The role focuses on provenance research, documentation of materials, and maintaining the Museum's Permanent Collection.

Responsibilities include preparing documentation, coordinating with interns and volunteers, responding to inquiries, and representing the Museum at professional meetings and lectures. A federal position with a broad educational impact on Holocaust remembrance and scholarship.

Qualifications

• No formal education requirement is stated for this position.

Responsibilities

• Performs provenance research on materials in the Museum's Permanent Collection and documents history and provenance.
• Gathers information, prepares documentation, and conducts provenance research.
• Coordinates research efforts by interns, curatorial assistants, and volunteers.
• Responds to inquiries about the collection and coordinates related activities.
• Represents the USHMM at professional meetings and lectures on the collections.

Job description

• Hiring Agency: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

This position is located in the Curatorial Affairs Division, David M. Rubenstein National Institute for Holocaust Documentation (RNIHD), United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM), Bowie, MD. This position serves as Associate Collections Curator and is responsible for conducting provenance research and managing the documentation of existing materials in the Museum's Collection.

Key Responsibilities

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a federally chartered, nonpartisan institution that was created by the US Congress to serve as America's national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and an educational institution dedicated to the history and lessons of the Holocaust. The Museum seeks to educate Americans from all 50 states and all walks of life as well as international audiences.

The Museum has three areas of expertise: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust scholarship and education, and genocide prevention. In carrying out its important memorial and educational mission, the Museum is guided by its institutional values for our workplace: Honor the memory of the victims; carry out our work with dignity, humility, integrity and respect for others; and strive for excellence through teamwork, rigor, and a culture of continuous learning.

Consistent respect for others is the foundation for trust, collegiality and inclusion. Duties include: Applies research skills and historical and material knowledge to identify and determine the authenticity of records, objects, or specimens, and materials related to the Holocaust.

Gathers information, prepares documentation, and conducts provenance research on materials currently in the Museum's Permanent Collection, and determines history and provenance etc., for Museum records. Conducts searches for materials that align with the Museum's collection priorities. This may include materials related to witnesses, victims, and perpetrators.

Prepares recommendations to accept or decline donations or purchases of materials and submits these for review by relevant stakeholders. Facilitates the processing of already received materials, completing custody receipts, Deeds of Gift, and other required documents. Coordinates research efforts by interns, curatorial assistants, and volunteers.

Responds to written and telephone inquiries about the collection and coordinates similar activities on the part of volunteers, curatorial assistants, and interns. Represents the USHMM at meetings of professional museum organizations and curatorial committees and lectures on the collections to various public groups.

Requirements & Education

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses showing title, number of credits, grade, and date of completion. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions. There is no positive education requirement for this position.

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits. A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits. Explore the benefits offered to most Federal employees Federal Benefits

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Other Agencies and Independent Organizations.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $85447 – $111087/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-30.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.

Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government