Serve as a Museum Curator in the Cooper Hewitt Library!
Cooper Hewitt’s Library and its collection of more than 110,000 volumes play a pivotal role in fostering scholarship and advancing discourse that illuminates the importance of design both historically and in the present day.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Research and development work will involve expertise in curation of rare books and distinctive collections of/on American, European, global, and contemporary design. Perform original research, writing and other duties associated with collections research and cataloging and define topics of genuine significance that will support publications, exhibitions, and future scholarship.
• Research on existing rare books and distinctive collections, as well as main collections (onsite and offsite) and new items for acquisition in support of the library’s collection development plan will require the review/enhancement of catalog records, safe/secure handling and storage of collections, donor/creator stewardship and supporting digital initiatives.
• Support for exhibition initiatives using rare books and distinctive collections will involve loans, consultations, curation within Smithsonian and with outside partners, outreach in collaboration with education colleagues on corollary programming to initiate and develop ways to interpret, expand audiences and optimize opportunities to disseminate knowledge about design history and design scholarship.
• Service as a specialist in reference and information research and technologies to work with researchers in advanced fields of knowledge will require using a wide variety of databases and primary source materials using rare and distinctive library and archive collections.
• Write within chosen historical field (e.g. scholarly essays, book chapter) and for museum or library visitors.
• Speak publicly and address wide audiences.

SALARY: $80,769 to $104,006
The Smithsonian uses the General Schedule (GS) pay scale for Trust and Federally funded positions. This is a Federally funded position at Grade 11.

HOW TO APPLY?
This is a federally funded position. Applicants should review the links below to USAJOBS to obtain details about the position (qualification requirements).

LINKS TO THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT:
DEU (open to all applicants)- https://www.usajobs.gov/job/758660600
MERIT (government wide and open to specific candidates) – https://www.usajobs.gov/job/758663800

CLOSING DATE:
Monday, November 13, 2023

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation
• Complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. is not required to apply.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact the point-of-contact listed in the “How To Apply” section above. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

EEO EMPLOYER:
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:
The Smithsonian Institution ensures its employees (federal and trust), applicants, and affiliated persons (interns, research associates, fellows, and volunteers) are protected from discrimination and unfair treatment in the workplace regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, gender stereotyping, pregnancy, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, marital status, parental status, or political affiliation and are free from reprisal against protected activities. In addition, other Smithsonian policy prohibits discrimination based on membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors, and political affiliation.