Museum Curator

City of Mesa; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Mesa is seeking a Museum Curator to develop, interpret, and curate the collection for the Arizona Museum of Natural History. The role includes research, policy development, and oversight of exhibits and collections.

The position also involves supervising personnel and volunteers, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, and supporting public programming and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a social or natural science or museum studies.
• 3–5 years of collections experience in museums or related settings.
• Ability to develop procedures and policies for museum collections.
• Experience with grants, permits, and federal/state repositories is preferred.
• Strong research and exhibition planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, interpret, evaluate, and curate museum collections.
• Supervise staff and volunteers.
• Coordinate gallery rotations and public programming.
• Ensure compliance with laws in acquisition and handling of objects.
• Prepare policies, plans, grants, reports.

Skills

Curatorial experience

Research

Grant proposal writing

Policy writing

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Science or related field

Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in related field

Job description

Job Summary

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.

Supervision

General supervision is received from the Chief Curator, who reviews work through conferences, meetings, reports, and overall results achieved. This class is FLSA exempt professional.

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.

Qualifications & Requirements

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.

A Summary of City of Mesa Benefits is linked here.