Associate Curator- Fort Laurens

Ohio History Connection • Columbus, OH

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Curator, Fort Laurens is a two-year temporary position responsible for supporting the reinterpretation, exhibit development, and collections stewardship work associated with the Fort Laurens museum project. Working collaboratively with Curatorial, Collections Management, Exhibits & Interpretation, Archaeology, NAGPRA staff, Tribal partners, and community stakeholders, this position will contribute to interpretive planning, conduct historical and collections-based research, select objects for exhibit, develop interpretive content, and process archaeological collections associated with the site. The position plays a key role in ensuring that the history of Fort Laurens is presented in an accurate, engaging, nuanced, and culturally sensitive manner.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in history, public history, anthropology, archaeology, museum studies, or a related field, plus three to five years of relevant professional experience.
• At least three years of experience in curatorial work, exhibit development, collections research, archaeological collections processing, or a similar role in a museum, cultural institution, archaeological organization, or public history setting.
• Experience conducting research using primary and secondary sources, collections records, and/or archaeological materials.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex histories with cultural sensitivity, historical accuracy, and attention to multiple perspectives.
• Strong project coordination skills, including the ability to manage timelines, track deliverables, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong written, verbal, and public communication skills.
• Exceptional communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to build and maintain respectful, collaborative relationships with Tribal Nations, descendant communities, and other stakeholders.
• Work independently, with, and in support of a team of curators, NAGPRA staff, collections managers, and registrars to complete work; demonstrate potential to set priorities and appropriate boundaries in order to fully focus on projects with clarity and a feeling of accomplishment.
• Proven ability to communicate historical and archaeological content to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work with a high degree of initiative, prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and work well with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated interest in public history, archaeology, site interpretation, and the preservation of and access to collections.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment (aligned with organizational best practices) in internal and external communications.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Ohio history, Revolutionary War-era history, military history, historical archaeology, Indigenous histories, or the history of the Ohio Country is preferred.
• Experience developing projects, exhibits, collections initiatives, or research in collaboration with Tribal Nations, descendant communities, or other culturally affiliated stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring or working collaboratively with community members or volunteers.
• Familiarity with stakeholder engagement, public history, or collaborative interpretation is preferred.
• Experience developing exhibits, including conducting research, writing text, and item selection and installation.
• Experience curating and managing a collection of historical items in a museum or related institution.
• Understand basic project management processes, including planning, setting timelines, and completing deliverables.
• Experience with collections management software.

Responsibilities

• Work with Collections Management, and in consultation with Tribal Nations, to deinstall, document, and store collections items currently on exhibit.
• Contribute to the interpretive planning process and collaborate with project staff to develop exhibit concepts and visitor experiences.
• Collaborate with the Exhibits & Interpretation team and the core project team to identify and refine exhibit narratives for the renovated museum.
• Conduct historical research using primary and secondary sources, archaeological artifacts, collections records, and related documentation.
• Select collection items for inclusion in exhibits and interpretive installations.
• Research and identify original, reproduction, loaned, or fabricated objects needed to support exhibit narratives, working within established OHC acquisition, loan, and procurement processes.
• Partner with the Exhibits & Interpretation team to present the story of Fort Laurens in an engaging, accurate, and nuanced manner.
• Develop exhibit text, object labels, digital content, and other interpretive materials for diverse audiences.
• Participate in exhibit planning, design review, installation, and evaluation activities.
• Process, catalog, inventory, and document archaeological collections associated with Fort Laurens in accordance with Ohio History Connection standards.
• Coordinate with archaeologists, NAGPRA staff, collections managers, and registrars staff to ensure proper preservation, storage, NAGPRA compliance, and access to collections.
• Conduct collections-based research to support exhibits, publications, educational programming, and public interpretation.
• Maintain accurate records within collections management systems and project databases.
• Assist with rehousing, conservation assessment, and long-term stewardship of archaeological collections generated through ongoing archaeological investigations.
• Participate in consultations with Tribal Nations and other stakeholders regarding collections, interpretation, and exhibit development.
• Build strong relationships with community members, local historians, historical organizations, researchers, volunteers, and cultural leaders to ensure multiple perspectives inform interpretation.
• Represent the project through presentations, workshops, public programs, public archaeology events, tours, and other outreach opportunities that deepen visitor engagement and create opportunities for dialogue around collections and the site.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for staff, stakeholders, researchers, and visitors.
• Work closely with project leadership, OHC leadership, the Exhibits & Interpretation team, external consultants, Tribal partners, and project collaborators to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Provide expertise in integrating historical accuracy with innovative exhibit design practices.
• Track project milestones and prepare reports for museum leadership.
• Incorporate visitor and community feedback into exhibit and program planning to ensure relevance and impact.

Benefits

• Fingerprint background check processed by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation & Identification (BCI) in accordance with the Volunteer Children's Act.
• Drug test.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level