HISTORY COLORADO has a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural competency, because of that, we are continuously seeking to recruit individuals who will enhance this diversity and ultimately the effectiveness of our organization. We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. History Colorado and the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The History Colorado Center is conveniently located in downtown Denver. In addition to a great location, we offer fantastic benefits including: • Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans • Medical and dental health plans • Employer supplemented Health Savings Account • Paid life insurance; Short- and long-term disability coverage • 10 paid holidays per year plus 12 hours of vacation and 6.66 hours of sick leave a month • Public Service Loan Forgiveness – A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120 ontime payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal loans in a qualifying repayment plan • BenefitHub state employee discount program • CafeWell employee wellness program • Free ECO pass DESCRIPTION OF JOB: With a new Collection Plan and a team of 9 Curators, History Colorado is adding Curatorial positions to strengthen and diversify The Collection with a focus on proactive community partnerships and collaborations along with contemporary dialogue. We are looking for someone with experience and understanding of museum Curatorial work with a concentration on scholarship, interpretation, sharing, and the cultural continuity of Indigenous collections. History Colorado (HC) has been building and refining The Collection since 1879. The Collection is a tangible point of connection between the present and the past. It reflects who we are and what we value today, and records what will be of interest to Coloradans in the future. The value of The Collection lies in the powerful stories it holds, and in its potential for aiding public awareness and understanding of the state’s history through uses including: research, educational programming, exhibitions, loans, design inspiration, and community building. The Collection currently comprises approximately 225,000 artifacts, 1,000,000+ photographs, and 9,000+ linear feet of archival materials. The Indigenous collections include nearly 20,000 cultural items (archaeological and ethnographic) and works of art. The archaeological holdings focus on the Four Corners, Great Plains, and Great Basin cultures and include pottery, baskets, sandals, stone and bone tools, agricultural instruments, clothing, and personal adornments used by Indigenous peoples. Approximately ½ of the artifacts in the archaeology collection are from the Mesa Verde region. The ethnographic holdings consist of around 5,500 artifacts including pottery, basketry, beadwork, leatherwork, and textiles used by historic and contemporary American Indians, Latinx, and other communities. The majority of the American Indian artifacts are from the forty-eight sovereign nations with ancestral ties to Colorado that continue to call this land home. Focused on building significantly more robust Indigenous collections, HC is seeking a dynamic museum professional with experience in curation, collaboration, and programs that elevate the understanding and appreciation of collections and the stories they can tell. This position is also responsible for interpretation methods, developing unique opportunities for scholarship, increased access to and engagement with the Collection, and the intellectual management of the Indigenous collections as a part of the larger HC Collection. The successful candidate will be a forward-thinking and dynamic individual with a passion for history work and a belief in the power of collections and the stories they embody to engage people in making personal connections. A creative imagination, the ability to recognize and deal with sensitive issues and diverse cultures, and a willingness to step outside the traditional curatorial role are highly desirable. Major Responsibilities and Duties • Work with communities, including through community advisory groups, community engagement, collecting initiatives, exhibitions, online platforms, and public programs o Work to ensure collections are interpreted inclusively with multiple voices, focused on community authorship and perspectives, and prioritizing Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing • Intellectually manage and process the Indigenous collections as a part of the larger HC Collection o Work to build a meaningful collection through the pursuit of a purpose-driven acquisition and deaccession program tied to the Collection Plan • Conduct original research and collaborative documentation projects–making the results available to the public through access and outreach initiatives, exhibitions, public programs, and publications • Participate in the exhibit development process by serving as an exhibit developer and/or on exhibit teams (helping develop content, drafting labels, writing articles, consulting on design decisions, developing, and participating in programs) • Consult with the HC Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation regarding the NAGPRA program and the state-owned repository collections as appropriate • Serve as a curatorial resource for HC’s historic sites, structures, and nine museums across Colorado Preferred Candidate Can Successfully Demonstrate: • Considerable experience with community work, navigating cultural sensitivities, and coauthorship and co-creation • Experience with large collections or high volumes of activity at a medium to large institution (or experience that is comparable) • Proven ability in processing, preservation, and digitization of collections • Experience working with donors, communities, and an acquisition process • High levels of experience in project management, meeting deadlines, and flexible multi-tasking in a fast-paced and sometimes ever-changing environment • Strong abilities to make decisions, be self-directing, show motivation, and work both independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively in a team environment • Collaborative skills working with other staff, such as Collections Management or other Curators, on projects like improving physical and intellectual control of and access to collection resources • Innovative and/or motivated approaches for collections programs, community or donor engagement, and providing access to collections • Experience working with and managing volunteers, contractors, and interns MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & APPEAL RIGHTS: • Master’s degree in Anthropology, Art History, History, Museum Studies or other relevant graduate degree is preferred • Minimum of 2-5 years of progressive curatorial experience working with artifact collections in a museum or other collecting institution with a public audience • Demonstrated knowledge of western American Indian history and cultures, NAGPRA, cross-cultural sensitivity, and a thorough understanding of museum ethics and best practices • Good communication skills, both written and oral, including evidence of writing and presenting public programs for a variety of audiences • Experience developing exhibits or exhibit content in a team environment including demonstrated knowledge and experience with serving as a content developer • Experience with database systems used in museums • Position requires periodic travel by car, van, or truck to storage facilities and museums throughout the state, typically for periods of less than one week in duration • Sometimes requires lifting heavy objects and working on ladders Interested applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and a 2 page writing sample (exhibit text, grant application, article, blog, etc.). *Rank and salary will be commensurate with experience SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: If you are interested in finding meaningful work in public service, we invite you to consider the State of Colorado. To learn more about working for the State of Colorado and building a satisfying and rewarding career, visit Welcome to Your Future in Colorado. A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the Human Resources Unit with an official disposition of any charges. ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete the application. To request an accommodation, please contact Dany McCoy (303) 866-2136 or email Dany.Mccoy@state.co.us. HOW TO APPLY: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed. IF NOT APPLYING ON-LINE, SUBMIT APPLICATION TO: Online is the preferred method of application for this announcement, however, if you need help please contact Dany.McCoy@state.co.us. DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION: Dany.McCoy@state.co.usMETHODS OF APPOINTMENT: This position is not part of the classified state personnel system. Assistant, Associate or Curator of Clothing and Textile Supplemental Questionnaire * 1. History Colorado staff are committed to advancing the work of anti-racism and have collectively developed grounding virtues to guide us. They are available to review here: https://www.historycolorado.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2020/AntiRacism_Grounding_Virtues.pdf. Please go to the link and tell us how these principles have shown up in your previous work and/or how you would contribute to these virtues in this position. * 2. What do you feel are the most important elements for working with Indigenous communities? * 3. What is the role of a 21st century curator in a history museum? * 4. What is one area of collecting within Colorado's Indigenous communities that you think needs to be addressed?