CURATOR OF CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
History Colorado
Denver, CO
History Colorado, the new name for the Colorado Historical Society, collects in three main
areas: artifacts, archives, and photography. The artifact collection is further divided into
three curatorial areas: Culture and Community, Art and Design, and History. Culture and
Community holds curatorial responsibility for: ethnographic objects, clothing and textiles,
personal items, and archaeological material. History Colorado’s artifacts and original
documentary materials are central to our educational and interpretive mission.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
 Acquisition, management, research, and interpretation of the collection.
 Working to build a meaningful collection for the 21st century through the pursuit of a
purpose-driven acquisition and deaccessioning program tied to institutional vision
and goals and the development and active implementation of an updated collection
plan in collaboration with other curatorial departments.
 Improving physical and intellectual control of and access to collection resources
through hands-on collection processing and documentation in coordination with
Collections Management and Registration.
 Working with the Library and Research Center staff to provide and expand public
access to collection resources through digital means and on-site physical access.
 Supervision of 1 FTE Assistant Curator/NAGPRA Liaison. This position holds
institutional responsibility for administration of History Colorado’s NAGPRA program
and curatorial responsibility for the archaeological collections.
 Promoting the mission and goals of History Colorado through cultivating and
sustaining relationships with community advisory groups, tribal representatives,
colleague institutions and partner organizations.
 Using a variety of approaches including public presentations, education programs,
scholarship, technology, responding to patron and scholarly inquiries, and
collaboration with other departments and divisions to realize the collection’s full
potential as an interpretive and educational tool and a resource for understanding
Colorado history.
 Actively participating in division and organizational strategic planning.
 Participating in the collaborative, team-based exhibit development process which
may include serving as a content specialist, collections resource, community liaison,
or exhibit developer depending on the exhibit project. History Colorado exhibits are
predicated on the principles of: Audience First, Collaboration, and Best Practices.
 The Culture and Community Department serves as the primary curatorial department
contact for two of History Colorado’s regional museums: El Pueblo Museum, and the
Ute Indian Museum.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS AND CONDITIONS OF
EMPLOYMENT:
 Master’s Degree in an appropriate field such as Anthropology, History, American
Studies or Museum Studies with, with a specialization American Indian or Hispanic
cultures, and/or historic clothing and textiles.
 A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible curatorial experience working
with cultural collections and community groups in a collecting institution with a public
audience.
 Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and creatively.
 Knowledge of museum collection standards and best practices, and information
management techniques and database systems used in curatorial and museum
registration departments.
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Good communication skills, both written and oral, including evidence of scholarly
research and writing and lectures and public programs for a variety of audiences.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
diverse community groups, tribal representatives, colleagues, scholars and
researchers, and partner organizations.
PREFERRED CANDIDATE CAN SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATE:
The successful candidate will be a forward thinking and dynamic individual who possesses a
passion for preserving and sharing the past and a belief in the power of original
artifacts/documents/photographs and the stories they embody to engage people in making
personal connections to history through research, exhibit experiences, and educational
programs. A creative imagination, sensitivity to diverse cultures and indigenous practices,
and a willingness to step outside the traditional curatorial role are highly desirable, as are:
 Knowledge of Colorado history and history of the American West.
 Experience with Argus collection management database.
 Knowledge of preventive conservation practices.
 Successful grant-writing and administration experience.
 Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a team environment.
 Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
 Working familiarity with NAGPRA legislation and an understanding of its application.
 Experience supervising staff, volunteers and interns.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Additional Requirements for this position:
 Periodic travel by car, van and truck to storage facilities and museums throughout
the state, typically for periods of less than one week in duration
 Successful candidate must pass a criminal history background check prior to hire
POSITION CLOSES: 8/16/13 at 11:59 p.m.
TO VIEW COMPLETE JOB POSTING ONLINE:
http://www.historycolorado.org/sites/default/files/files/About_Us/Curator_Culture_Commun
ity.pdf
HOW TO APPLY: Submit an on-line application or submit a State of Colorado Application
for Announced Vacancy and all supplemental questions according to the instructions
provided at http://www.colorado.gov/jobs. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that
complete application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office
before the closing date and time listed above. Online is the preferred method of application.
This position is not part of the classified state personnel system.
APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
http://www.colorado.gov/jobs
Position #2011-09292
CURATOR OF CULTURE AND COMMUNITY - NONCLASSIFIED
IF NOT APPLYING ON-LINE, SUBMIT APPLICATION TO:
Jennifer.Clayman@state.co.us
Department of Human Resources
History Colorado
1200 Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80203