Museum Curator, IS-1015-12

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 102,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, is seeking a Museum Curator (IS-1015-12) to lead scholarly research and develop a pre-eminent collection in African American history and culture. The role involves building research programs and contributing to exhibitions.

The position is trust fund, full-time, with responsibilities across acquisition, documentation, and advising on professional matters.

Qualifications

• Degree: museum work in African American history and culture; or in an applicable subject‑matter field.
• Combination of education and experience—courses equivalent to a major, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in 1 above.

Responsibilities

• Initiate, develop, and personally participate in research programs that characteristically involve a systematic research approach to a problem area of considerable scope.
• Prepare for publication, scholarly reports of a descriptive and theoretical nature based on any specialization of Black diasporic studies.
• Define and implement plan for development of a collection.
• Verify, validate and assure proper identification, documentation, authentication, and storage of collection.
• Serve as expert and consultant on professional matters to other governmental agencies, colleagues, writers, educational institutions, research foundations and the public.

Skills

Scholarly research

Collection development

Exhibition planning

Consulting with agencies

Education

Museum work in African American history and culture

Job description

Museum Curator, IS-1015-12

Application Deadline: 18 September 2026

Department: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Compensation: $102,415 - $133,142 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: September 8th, 2026

CLOSING DATE: September 18th, 2026 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date).

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Trust Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC

Position sensitivity and risk - Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.


• Complete a Probationary Period.


• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.


• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.


• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Overview

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is in the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The National Museum of African AmericanHistory and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture. The Museum Curator is in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and is located in the Office of Curatorial Culture.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Museum Curator provides scholarly research, defines and implements plans for development of a pre‑eminent collection in African American history and culture, with specialty in Black diasporic studies. In this position, you will:

• Initiate, develop, and personally participate in research programs that characteristically involve a systematic research approach to a problem area of considerable scope.


• Prepare for publication, scholarly reports of a descriptive and theoretical nature based on any specialization of Black diasporic studies.


• Define and implement plan for development of a collection.


• Verify, validate and assure proper identification, documentation, authentication, and storage of collection.


• Serve as expert and consultant on professional matters to other governmental agencies, colleagues, writers, educational institutions, research foundations and the public.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must possess the following basic requirements:

1. Degree: museum work in African American history and culture; or in an applicable subject‑matter field. OR


2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR


3. Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in 1 above.

Unofficial transcripts are required at the time of application if you're utilizing education to qualify. Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package. In addition to the basic education requirements, the ideal candidate should have demonstrated experience described below:

1. Conducting research in history and culture.


2. Organizing, managing, developing or refining collections of artifacts.


3. Organizing, developing, maintaining or refining exhibitions.


4. Conducting presentations pertaining to artifacts or exhibitions.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo