*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:

[log in to unmask]

(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.

-- 
____________________________________________

Travis G. Parno, Ph.D., RPA
Director of Research and Collections
Historic St. Mary's City
P.O. Box 39
St. Mary's City, Maryland 20686
[log in to unmask]
(240) 895-4975

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