Curator

This is a one-year contract position for a full-time Curator to support the Veteran Administration’s History Office (VAHO), the National VA History Center Archives (NVAHCA) and the NVAHC Museum (NVAHCM) with the option to extend the position annually for up to four years. The position is based at the VAHO’s Dayton Facility.

The Curator is a full-time position that reports directly to the VA’s Curator and the contractor, New South Associates, Inc.

Tasks/Responsibilities
• Provide support to the Curator in the evaluation and acquisitions of three-dimensional historical artifacts.
• Conduct research on potential objects for acquisition, presenting information to the collections committee, and supporting accessioning, cataloging, and re-housing of objects following museum best practices.
• Observe provenance, a standard museum practice, and provide recommendations on potential gaps or duplications within the collections.
• Plan, organize, and optimize storage space for artifacts, ensuring safe and appropriate conditions based on artifact needs and museum requirements.
• Process and document incoming artifacts, including shipment tracking, condition reports, and cataloging, maintaining up-to-date records in the collections management system.
• Provide research support for inquiries related to the museum’s collections, coordinating responses for special research projects with high-priority deadlines in consultation with the Chief Historian, Senior Archivist, and/or Curator.
• Maintain detailed records of collections management activities, including object acquisition, accessioning, and cataloging, and provide technical assistance for digitization efforts of museum objects.
• Collaborate with the NVAHC team in developing a digitization plan and managing space planning for collections.
• Compile and submit monthly status reports on workload progress, including collections processed, reports produced, and recommendations for collections management improvements.
• Provide an oral summary of performance during the monthly Program Review Meeting.

Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in history, museum studies or a related field
• Requires at least three years of experience in the management of museum collections. This work must include at least one year of experience accessioning, cataloging, and re-housing of three-dimensional objects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications
• Graduate degree in Museum Studies

Required Documents
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of three references with contact information

This is an hourly position with a pay range between $70,000 and $75,000 and is negotiable based on qualifications and experience. In addition, this benefited position includes paid insurance, personal leave, and paid federal holidays in addition to a 401k plan with a 10% corporate match after one year’s employment and participation in a qualified bonus program.

New South Associates, Inc. will hire a qualified professional to serve as a full-time curator. We are an equal opportunity employer. If interested, please email the required documents to Kim Blanke, kblanke@newsouthassoc.com.