The position serves as Associate Director, Office of Curatorial Affairs (OCA), National Museum of American History (NMAH). The OCA is a central-implementing office of the museum’s mission; it develops, preserves, documents, interprets, and makes accessible the NMAH scholarship and collections through research, exhibitions, and professional and public outreach. 

Duties

Provides leadership and direction to the OCA in the planning, development and implementation of major functions including research, collecting, exhibitions, publications, and programming.  Formulates goals and objectives and develops program plans for curatorial staff.  Makes recommendations to the Museum Director and Deputy Director of Public History for policy on issues related to major OCA functions.Analyzes financial and human resources needs for OCA and manages the allocation of departmental financial resources in collaboration with the Museum Director, Deputy Director of Public History & Deputy Director of Museum Operations.Analyzes structure, resources and work assignments to ensure that staff is aligned with NMAH and Smithsonian priorities.  On a continual basis, evaluates performance in relation to priorities and adjusts resource allocations as needed.  In collaboration with the Museum Director, Deputy Director of Public History, and subordinate managers, develops integrated performance standards for programs, offices, managers, and staff.  Develops and implements operating policies and procedures to support effective performance.Reviews and approves recommendations for personnel actions, including hiring for key positions.  Acts on major personnel problems referred by subordinate managers.  Develops, implements and monitors policies and practices to achieve NMAH and SI objectives in staff development, employee relations, diversity and equal employment opportunity.Consistent with museum priorities, the Associate Director participates and approves staff participation in SI, national and international conferences, meetings, and symposia and serves on national and international museum committees.  Explores and develops joint programs in cooperation with universities, other museums, and community groups.Provides expert advice and consultation to professional and other organizations.Serves as member of NMAH’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and of the Public History Division’s leadership team, fully participating in the development of museum goals, priorities, emphases, policies, and practices.  Works collaboratively and in a collegial manner with other members of these leadership groups. Incumbent is the key advisor to the Deputy Director of Public History on scholarship and interpretive issues of public history.Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONSA degree in museum work or in an applicable subject-matter field; or a combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in museum work, or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position, plus appropriate experience or additional education; or four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as described above. Ph.D. in American Studies, History, Public Humanities, or Science and Technology Studies is strongly preferred.SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCEIn addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. This experience includes management level responsibility for the curatorial functions of a large museum or cultural organization with an emphasis on American History.The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:1. Extensive knowledge of American History, material culture, and experience developing strategies for public engagement with this content in museum contexts. Experience in curatorial and scholarly leadership including managing institutional programs in exhibitions development, research, collections development and care, publications and programming.2. Leadership experience at the managerial level that includes goal setting, long-term planning, implementation, and establishing metrics and reporting protocols. 3. Skill in executive level budgeting and resource management.4. Skill in leading, supervising and managing a multi-disciplined and culturally diverse workforce. This should include attracting, retaining and motivating employees and implementing EEO/Affirmative Action programs.

Contacts

• Address SMITHSONIAN Office of Human Resources POB 37012, 600 Maryland Avenue, MRC 517 Suite 7001 Washington, District of Columbia 20013-7012 United States
• Name: Angela Strader
• Phone: 202-633-6335
• Email: [email protected]