Organizational Background
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. It includes 21 museums and the National Zoo and plays a central role in preserving knowledge and advancing scholarship. This position sits within Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, under the Office of the Under Secretary for Museums and Culture.
Multiple selections may result from this announcement.
Role Snapshot
- Employment Type: Permanent, Federal Service
- Work Schedule: Full-time
- Pay Grade: GS 14
- Salary Range: $143,913 to $187,093 per year
- Location: Washington, DC
- Telework: Eligible on an ad hoc basis
- Travel: Occasional domestic travel
- Supervisory Responsibility: Yes
- Security Level: High Risk designation
- Drug Testing: Not required
Application Window: 2 February 2026 to 18 February 2026
Position Purpose
The Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs provides senior leadership for historical research, collections stewardship, and archival functions. In addition, the role shapes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum’s scholarly direction. The incumbent ensures that research and interpretation related to the history of women in America meet the highest academic standards while remaining accessible and engaging for broad public audiences.
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Core Responsibility Areas
Research Leadership and Interpretation
The role directs the museum’s historical research agenda. Consequently, the Associate Director defines scholarly priorities, advances discoveries, and ensures that interpretive outputs contribute meaningfully to public understanding of women’s history in the United States.
Collections Strategy and Development
In partnership with the Museum Director, the incumbent leads the design of long-term digital and physical collections strategies. This includes identifying key themes, guiding acquisitions and deaccessions, and securing approval for formal collections policies in alignment with Smithsonian guidelines.
Curatorial and Staff Management
The Associate Director supervises curatorial personnel and related staff. Responsibilities include recruitment, performance management, professional development, and workforce planning. Work assignments must align with institutional policies and be completed.
Public Scholarship and Communications
The position serves as a visible subject matter authority. The incumbent engages with national media across print, broadcast, and digital channels, therefore providing expert historical context. In addition, the role responds to public and scholarly inquiries about American women’s history.
Exhibitions and Intellectual Products
The Associate Director ensures that exhibitions, publications, and other public-facing assets reflect rigorous scholarship and broad audience relevance. Oversight includes collaborating with curators and guest curators to develop programs and interpretive materials.
Eligibility and Hiring Pathways
This merit promotion opportunity is primarily open to current and former Federal employees with permanent status or reinstatement eligibility. Applicants eligible under special appointing authorities may also apply, including individuals with disabilities under Schedule A, certain veterans, military spouses, and former Peace Corps or AmeriCorps volunteers.
Qualification Profile
Specialized Experience
Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-13 level or equivalent. Qualifying experience includes:
- Managing curatorial functions within a history museum or comparable cultural institution
- Overseeing research, exhibitions, collections development, and public services
- Establishing organizational goals and ensuring their achievement
- Supervising professional staff and evaluating performance
- Conducting scholarly research
- Guiding acquisitions, deaccessions, and exhibition development
Both paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer service, may count toward qualifications.
Education Standards
Candidates must meet OPM positive education requirements through one of the following:
- A degree in museum work or a related subject field
- A combination of education and relevant experience
- Four years of experience providing knowledge equivalent to a four-year degree in a related discipline
Foreign education must be supported with transcripts and accreditation documentation.
Employment Conditions
Selected candidates must pass a background investigation and may be required to complete a probationary period. Direct deposit is mandatory. Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Recruitment incentives may be authorized, subject to approval and service agreement requirements. This position is not part of a bargaining unit.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are first screened for basic qualification requirements. Qualified applicants are further evaluated based on:
- Ability to lead a museum curatorial department and develop a long-term strategic vision
- Knowledge of the history of women in America
- Supervisory capability within a museum or similar environment
- Oral communication skills across diverse professional audiences
- Written communication skills for exhibitions, collections, and publications
Ratings are determined through an automated system and human resources review, using questionnaire responses and supporting documentation.
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Application Procedure
Applicants must submit materials online through the official application portal before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date. Required documents may be uploaded during the process or faxed using the cover sheet. Paper submissions are accepted only with prior approval.
Resumes must not exceed two pages and should clearly describe relevant experience rather than repeating vacancy language.
Contact Information
Office of Human Resources
Smithsonian Institution
Phone: 202 633 6716
Email: CunninghamLS@si.edu
Address: POB 37012, 600 Maryland Ave., MRC517, Ste 5060, Washington, DC 20013, United States
