Curator of Collections

HISTORIC ST. MARY’S CITY COMMISSION
St. Mary’s City, MD USA

Historic St. Mary’s City is seeking a Curator of Collections to lead the museum’s collections program and care for its collection of approximately six million archaeological artifacts. Applications are being accepted now. Review of applications will begin April 1st. Salary range is US$55,000-$65,000.

Please send a cover letter and resume with the names and contact information for three professional references to:

Porzia Purves:
PorziaP@digshistory.org
(240) 895-4960

Organization Description:

Historic St. Mary's City (HSMC) is a museum of living history and archaeology located on the site of Maryland’s first capital (1634–1695). Decades of research are the foundation of outdoor exhibits constructed in a beautiful tidewater landscape. HSMC is dedicated to studying and interpreting the lives of those who dwelled in the area that is currently known as St. Mary’s City. This includes the ancestors of contemporary Native American groups, including the Piscataway Indian Nation and Piscataway Conoy Tribe, who recognized the region’s unique environmental advantages and lived here for thousands of years. It includes the European colonists from all walks of life who made the brave decision to voyage to an unfamiliar land and make a home on the banks of what came to be called the St. Mary’s River. It also includes the people of African ancestry who were forced from their homes and transported across the Atlantic Ocean to labor in perpetual bondage. The interactions of these groups of people gave rise to the complex legacies of opportunity and oppression whose effects are still being felt today.

HSMC is one of Southern Maryland’s leading tourism attractions and hosts an active school tour program. The museum’s collections are a resource for professional archaeologists, scholars, and college students. HSMC’s annual Field School in Historical Archaeology, the longest running historical archaeological field school in the nation, attracts students from all over the United States as well as from other countries. The museum is an independent agency of the State of Maryland, within the Office of the Governor.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Research and Collections, the Curator of Collections will be responsible for HSMC’s collections with a focus on the museum’s six million archaeological artifacts. In collaboration with colleagues at HSMC, the Curator of Collections will assume a vital role in institutional initiatives, research projects, and exhibitions.

Essential Functions:

The Curator of Collections is responsible for a broad range of activities including processing and documentation of new archaeological materials, management of museum collections, research and exhibit planning, and community outreach.

• Manage, facilitate, and develop access to HSMC’s collections through the initiation of exhibitions, displays, and loans
• Enhance existing relationships with community stakeholders to ensure equity in exhibits
• Be responsible for the storage, security, and movement of HSMC’s collections to accreditation standards
• Oversee the processing—including washing, rebagging, cataloging, and labeling—of archaeological materials from active excavations
• Develop, oversee, and undertake all aspects of collections documentation, including data input, data migration, digitization, and development/maintenance of analog and digital systems to professional standards
• Maintain HSMC General Collections Policy, together with members of HSMC’s Collections Group, and advise on any policy updates/alterations
• Facilitate general maintenance and organization of the archaeological laboratory and collections spaces by contributing to safety procedures, maintaining inventories, and selecting materials and supplies
• Oversee research, evaluation, recommendation, and procurement of laboratory supplies, specialized equipment, and services
• Collaborate with, train, and direct the work of other lab staff, technicians, interns, student workers, and volunteers in materials handling, artifact processing, preservation decision-making, and collections care workflow
• Represent HSMC as an active member of the archaeological and cultural heritage communities through active participation, publication, research, and professional service
• Work with Conservator to maintain an effective disaster/emergency response and recovery plan
• Remain current in curatorial practices and trends in the profession and ensure compliance with museum standards and best practices as prescribed by the American Alliance of Museums, Society for Historical Archaeology, and other professional organizations
• To contribute to fundraising applications as opportunities arise and to ensure delivery against externally funded project objectives
• Oversee space planning and collection storage initiatives
• Develop curricula and lead audience-appropriate training and outreach for staff, students, faculty, and researchers, as required
• Contribute to departmental efforts to support HSMC social media and communications campaigns
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:

The incumbent should possess

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate clearly with team members
• Advanced knowledge of and demonstrated experience with archaeological artifact processing, including pre-colonial, colonial, and postcolonial materials
• Expert knowledge of curatorial history, ethics, and methodology
• Advanced knowledge of and demonstrated experience with collections care and management procedures
• Experience with digital technologies in database management practices, particularly GIS, preferred
• Experience with managing staff, students, and volunteers in a laboratory setting preferred
• Advanced knowledge of collections issues in cultural institutions preferred
• Demonstrated accomplishment in historical and/or archaeological research and writing preferred
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness and emergency response procedures preferred
• Knowledge of and experience with archaeological field methods preferred

Education and Professional Experience:

• MA in archaeology, anthropology, history, or equivalent degree (PhD preferred)

Compensation:

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, and competitive with comparable positions at other regional non-profit organizations of comparable size. The museum offers a generous benefits package as well the opportunity to inspire and enlighten visitors and staff.

Historic St. Mary’s City is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including minority candidates.