Museum Collections Manager/Curator - Buffalo Bill Museum

About the role

The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave is seeking a Collections Manager/Curator to oversee the care, protection, and curation of the museum’s artifact and archival collections.

Responsibilities

• Care for the museum’s collection of objects, photos, and archives, while adhering to established professional standards regarding acquisition, documentation, housing, and exhibition.
• Develop and implement collection-oriented plans and procedures (Collections Management Policy, Housekeeping Plan, Integrated Pest Management Plan, and cataloging procedure guide).
• Protect the collection through proactive emergency management planning, preparedness, and response protocols.
• Evaluate the conditions and historical significance of items in the collections.
• Aid in the development of the museum’s collection through donations and purchases.
• Accrue newly acquired collection items and manage incoming and outgoing loans.
• Train and direct volunteers, interns, and museum support staff in collections work.
• Carry out or oversee cataloging, scanning, photographing, and storing artifacts and archival items by contractors, support staff, and volunteers according to established professional standards.
• Maintain catalog records in PastPerfect Web Edition and publish records online.
• Serve as the primary lead for Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) compliance.
• Respond to inquiries and photo or information requests from the public, researchers, and other institutions.
• Write or support grant applications.
• Participate in the development and installation of exhibits, including developing themes, writing and editing exhibit text, selecting and properly installing artifacts, and repacking items after exhibits close.
• Assist with educational and outreach programming.
• Serve as the designated Manager on Duty on a rotating schedule, managing front-end responsibilities and resolving operational issues.
• Develop and steward relationships with tribes, community members, organizations, collectors, scholars, and donors.
• Develop collegial relationships with other collection professionals in the area.
• Lift and move collection objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and safely climb stairs and ladders.

Requirements

• Education: A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college in history, art history, public history, museum studies, or a related field.
• Experience: Four years of collections experience aligned with professional museum best practices.
• NAGPRA Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of NAGPRA legal compliance regulations and experience directly facilitating consultations with Tribal representatives and THPOs.
• Leadership: Proven experience overseeing volunteers, contractors, or museum staff.
• Planning: Direct experience writing and implementing collection-related plans, policies, and procedures.
• Software Proficiency: Mastery of PastPerfect Web Edition (or similar collections software), including accessioning, cataloging, exhibits, contacts, loans, reporting, and publishing online.
• Collection Expertise: Knowledge of artifact and archival care, handling, environmental controls, and standardized documentation.
• Historical Knowledge: Familiarity with the history of the American West or late 19th- and early 20th-century American history.
• Collaboration: Experience building meaningful, collaborative relationships with coworkers, community members, and Tribal representatives.
• Conservation Knowledge: Understanding of the Ten Agents of Deterioration and preventative conservation techniques.
• Autonomy: The ability to work independently, problem-solve, and make sound, collections-based decisions without direct supervision.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from high school or the possession of a GED, HiSET, or TASC Certificate.
• Experience: Five (5) years of technical or administrative experience performing standard research and evaluation, case management, and/or implementing work processes.

Skills

• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Attention to detail and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Knowledge of museum practices and standards.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service.
• 457B Retirement Plan.
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date.
• Bilingual Bonus: Candidates fluent in Spanish may qualify for an extra $50/pay period stipend upon passing the City and County of Denver's official bilingual assessment (administered through the Career Service Authority).

Pay

Target Pay: $30.20 - $33.86/hour based on experience and education.

Schedule

The typical schedule for this position will be Monday through Friday, 8:45 MST to 5:15 MST, but some evening and weekend hours will be required.