Museum Curator

City of Mesa, AZ; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 75,033 - 102,518; Full time

Job summary

The City of Mesa, AZ invites applications for a Museum Curator in the Arizona Museum of Natural History. The role develops, interprets, and curates collections in social and natural sciences, and leads research, policies, and grant proposals.

You will supervise staff and volunteers, ensure compliance with laws in acquisitions, and contribute to exhibits and public programming. A bachelor’s is required with 3–5 years of collections experience; a Master’s or Ph.D. is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Social Science, Natural Science, or related field such as Museum Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology.
• 3–5 years of collections experience in museums, cultural centers, institutes, academics, or equivalent.
• Master’s Degree or Ph.D. preferred with museum experience.

Responsibilities

• Curates collections for natural and social sciences; develops curatorial procedures.
• Conducts original and secondary research; writes policies, plans, grants, reports.
• Supervises full-time, part-time, contractual staff and volunteers; guides exhibits.

Skills

Collections management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social/Natural Science or related field

Master’s Degree or Ph.D. preferred

Job description

Salary: $75,033.30 – $102,518.83 Annually

Location: PO Box 1466, Mesa, AZ

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 17463

Department: (H400)Arts and Culture

Opening Date: 06/26/2026

Closing Date: Continuous

Description/Duties

The current vacancy is in the Arizona Museum of Natural History; however, this recruitment will also be used to establish an eligible list for possible future vacancies in other assignment areas. The first review of all applications will be on Monday, July 6, 2026. The Museum Curator develops, interprets, evaluates, communicates, and curates the collections of the Arizona Museum for Natural History for the fields of natural and social sciences. Responsibilities include: developing and implementing procedures of a general curatorial nature relating to the fields of Social Sciences (history, ethnology, archaeology, anthropology) or Natural Sciences (paleontology, geology, biology); conducting original and secondary research; ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws in the acquisition and collection of objects; writing policies, plans, grant proposals, reports, etc., regarding museum collections, general curatorial information, or a designated subject area; and providing curatorial expertise on certain changing and permanent exhibits. The Museum Curator also supervises full-time, part-time, contractual, and volunteer personnel. This class is also responsible for performing related duties as required.

Anthropology Assignment

Conducts primary and/or secondary research in anthropology or related disciplines; oversee the disciplines of ethnology, and archaeology; coordinates the permanent gallery rotations, changes and updates exhibits, public engagement, and educational programming.

Employee Values

All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City’s shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required

Any combination of training, education, or experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in a Social Science, Natural Science, or related field such as Museum Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology, or a closely related area. Considerable (3 – 5 years) collections experience in museums, cultural centers, institutes, academics, or equivalent.

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications

A Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Social Science, Natural Science, or related field such as: Museum Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology, or a closely related area and experience in responsible positions in a museum is preferred. Experience in Triassic paleobiology field collection and publication desirable. Experience in application and administration of grants, permits, and federal and state repositories. Experience in large museum projects.