Museum Specialist (General) IS-1016-11

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

9d•Onsite

About The Position

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 American History and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture. The position serves as museum specialist in the Earl W. and Amanda Stafford Center for African American Media Arts (CAAMA). The Museum Specialist will assist the Supervisory Museum Curator of Photography and Film and Director of CAAMA with key aspects of exhibition planning as well as with maintaining, acquiring, documenting and managing one of the largest collection of objects, more than 25,000 photographs, as well as time-based media such as film, video, and audio.

Requirements

Experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of The Museum System (TMS) or similar database software to generate and maintain collection-based reports and records.
Knowledge and experience in the use of computer software programs for word processing, database management, and information reveal including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, as well as digital cameras and scanners.
Knowledge of African American history and culture.
Advanced knowledge of history of photography, film, and visual culture related to African Americans.
Knowledge of American history and culture with specific emphasis on African American experiences in the United States, with a particular emphasis on photography and/or film, especially that of African American imagemakers.
Knowledge of exhibition planning and processes.
Knowledge of procedures and methods used in the handling, storage, care and preservation of museum collections.
Knowledge of museum curatorial practices including provenance research, curatorial reviews and record keeping, constructing a collection plan, and supporting a variety of other acquisition related tasks.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to communicate orally.

Responsibilities

conduct research on topics, themes and objects within the Smithsonian, outside museums, private collections, universities, libraries and other cultural educational organizations associated with African American history, art, culture especially related to photography and tine-based media (e.g., film, video and audio).
use the museum's collections information system (TMS) to search, identify, and obtain curatorial and/or collections management information on objects.
collaborate with collections management and curatorial staff in the long-term development of the NMAAHC's collection and participate in efforts to expand the collection.
support the collection acquisitions and loan processes by preparing justifications, researching potential acquisitions, communicating with vendors, assisting with processing acquisitions paperwork, and monitoring all phases of payment processing.
respond to inquiries regarding collections from the public, interfacing with potential donors, galleries, and dealers.