Museum Curator Supervisor

Class Concept

This is professional and supervisory work in the management, research, development, and maintenance of curatorial programs in a natural science museum, history museum, art museum, state park, and /or historic site. Employees plan, supervise, and coordinate the work of curators, technicians, and curatorial staff in a broad range of museum disciplines such as design, curation, collection, and education. Employees provide practical and technical input toward other phases of a museum's total program. Extensive research is conducted for program content and documentation. Employees may write and edit scientific research papers and articles. Employees may assist in developing a theoretical conceptualization for exhibits; supervision of other non-curatorial staff and/or directing the overall program. Employees may function as a curator providing expertise in their respective specialty area, or may be involved in managing other aspects of museum operations such as conservation and/or registration. Work is performed independently under the general direction of the museum director or deputy director. Employees perform other related duties as required.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of principles, practices of scientific research, procedures and requirements for scientific publication.
• Thorough knowledge of history, and/or natural history of North Carolina and thorough knowledge of history and material cultural.
• Thorough knowledge of standard museum practices regarding exhibition, conservation, collection, design, interpretation and education concepts and thorough knowledge of reference sources for historical materials and their uses.
• Skill in organizing projects and determining time frames for completion.
• Ability to plan and conduct original research in history or natural science specialty areas, and to prepare related scientific papers and interpretive articles.
• Ability to analyze, accumulate and conduct on-going research and set standards for curatorial practice.
• Ability to collaborate with peers, advisory boards, and focus groups in developing appropriate programs and exhibits and ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to compose exhibit related articles for publication, labels and artifact documentation.
• Ability to plan, supervise and evaluate the work technical and professional staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private groups and individuals.

Minimum Education and Experience

Master's degree in biology, education, history, museum studies, zoology, or a curriculum related to area of expertise from an appropriately accredited institution, and six years of experience in assigned specialty area, two of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.