What are the responsibilities and job description for the Curator II -Kentucky Historical Society (Non-Merit) position at Commonwealth of Kentucky?
Description
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is seeking a Curator of Collections to join our Historical Resources Division. The Curator serves on the team responsible for the acquisition, care, cataloging, and interpretation of collections. The role supports all KHS projects, programs, and activities that elevate our understanding of Kentucky history through material culture.
This position actively develops the KHS collection by working with donors and communities and by engaging in contemporary and responsive collecting. The Curator of Collections provides stewardship and intellectual control of the agency’s significant and diverse historical collection—ensuring that these strategic assets are accessible for interpretation, research, and teaching.
This position is highly collaborative, often working in partnership with internal colleagues as well as supporting collecting organizations across the Commonwealth. The ideal candidate brings professionalism, passion, curiosity, and positive problem-solving to the role.
The Kentucky Historical Society’s team is actively acquiring additions to our 160,000 object collection. The KHS’s significant holdings include collections of paintings, textiles and costumes, weapons and militaria, popular culture, political material, furnishings, toys and recreation, domestic life, and occupational/industrial material.
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), formed in 1836, is an agency in Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet. The KHS campus has three sites in historic downtown Frankfort: The Old State Capitol; the Kentucky Military History Museum; and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History serving as KHS headquarters with a signature museum, exhibits, library, research facilities, object and archival collections, museum store, and more. KHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has American Alliance of Museums accreditation.
To learn more about the Kentucky Historical Society, please visit https://history.ky.gov
Key Responsibilities
The Ideal Candidate
Benefits include health and life insurance, optional dental and vision insurance, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, retirement, and optional deferred compensation plans. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and current resume via email to khshr@ky.gov. No telephone calls are accepted. The deadline for submissions is March 3, 2025. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Minimum Requirements
EDUCATION: Master’s Degree in history, museum studies, or related field.
EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: 3 years of professional experience in a museum or history-related institution
Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE
Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): Knowledge of material culture and museum cataloging practices. Adherence to professional codes of ethics and involvement in museum organizations.
Working Conditions
Must be able to visually inspect the change in the condition of archival documents and collection objects; retrieve collection objects regularly that may weigh up to 40 lbs.; able to regularly bend/stoop/reach to retrieve and store collection objects. Frequent use of a computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. May occasionally be required to travel in and out of state relating to collections management and accessions.
If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Leah Craig at leah.craig@ky.gov or 502.782.4620.
An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is seeking a Curator of Collections to join our Historical Resources Division. The Curator serves on the team responsible for the acquisition, care, cataloging, and interpretation of collections. The role supports all KHS projects, programs, and activities that elevate our understanding of Kentucky history through material culture.
This position actively develops the KHS collection by working with donors and communities and by engaging in contemporary and responsive collecting. The Curator of Collections provides stewardship and intellectual control of the agency’s significant and diverse historical collection—ensuring that these strategic assets are accessible for interpretation, research, and teaching.
This position is highly collaborative, often working in partnership with internal colleagues as well as supporting collecting organizations across the Commonwealth. The ideal candidate brings professionalism, passion, curiosity, and positive problem-solving to the role.
The Kentucky Historical Society’s team is actively acquiring additions to our 160,000 object collection. The KHS’s significant holdings include collections of paintings, textiles and costumes, weapons and militaria, popular culture, political material, furnishings, toys and recreation, domestic life, and occupational/industrial material.
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), formed in 1836, is an agency in Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet. The KHS campus has three sites in historic downtown Frankfort: The Old State Capitol; the Kentucky Military History Museum; and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History serving as KHS headquarters with a signature museum, exhibits, library, research facilities, object and archival collections, museum store, and more. KHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has American Alliance of Museums accreditation.
To learn more about the Kentucky Historical Society, please visit https://history.ky.gov
Key Responsibilities
- Proactively guide the acquisition, continuous improvement, and stewardship of the KHS object collection.
- Help develop ways in which objects and archival materials can be interpreted and utilized through exhibitions, publications, events, and presentations.
- Collaborate with colleagues to ensure the ongoing care of the KHS object collection.
The Ideal Candidate
- Demonstrated facility in public speaking, writing, and communicating with multiple kinds of audiences.
- Advanced internet, word processing, database management, spreadsheets, and email use.
- Past Perfect experience preferred.
- Must be able to manage multiple, complex projects from concept to completion.
Benefits include health and life insurance, optional dental and vision insurance, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, retirement, and optional deferred compensation plans. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and current resume via email to khshr@ky.gov. No telephone calls are accepted. The deadline for submissions is March 3, 2025. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Minimum Requirements
EDUCATION: Master’s Degree in history, museum studies, or related field.
EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: 3 years of professional experience in a museum or history-related institution
Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE
Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): Knowledge of material culture and museum cataloging practices. Adherence to professional codes of ethics and involvement in museum organizations.
Working Conditions
Must be able to visually inspect the change in the condition of archival documents and collection objects; retrieve collection objects regularly that may weigh up to 40 lbs.; able to regularly bend/stoop/reach to retrieve and store collection objects. Frequent use of a computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. May occasionally be required to travel in and out of state relating to collections management and accessions.
If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Leah Craig at leah.craig@ky.gov or 502.782.4620.
An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D
Salary : $46,147