Summary of Work

Exhibits Preparator is a newly created position offering the chance to make your mark! This team member will be part of the Audience Engagement & Museum Department, supervised by the Exhibition Production Manager. Based in Bismarck, you will work across the state with two museums and 12 state historic sites to fabricate, maintain, and deinstall exhibitions as part of a team of about 90 professionals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Install, deinstall, and maintain exhibitions, including artifacts, graphics, lighting, and AV elements.
• Design, build, and repair exhibition furniture, mounts, cases, and custom display components.
• Safely handle, pack, transport, and store museum objects following conservation standards.
• Monitor gallery conditions and perform regular cleaning, upkeep, and minor repairs.
• Operate workshop tools and equipment while maintaining a safe, organized workspace.
• Collaborate with curators, designers, and other staff to support exhibit development and events.
• Travel as needed to fabricate, install, and maintain exhibits across museums and historic sites.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Studio Art, or other related field or 3 years of professional experience in exhibit fabrication, theatre set design, or specialized carpentry.
• Experience and proficiency with standard workshop tools; strong carpentry skills for building display elements, mounts, crates, and other custom projects. 
• Knowledge of best practices for preparing, finishing, and painting museum-quality display components. 
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and work at heights using ladders or lifts. 

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.

Considering a new position on Team ND? How does your current position stack up? Use our Total Rewards Calculator to estimate.

Hiring Salary Range: $4,438 - $4,860 monthly. 

Application Procedures

All applications must be submitted via the Career site at www.nd.gov/careers. Paper submissions are not accepted. Application packages must be submitted online by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time (CST) on the closing date listed on the posting.

Application packages must include cover letter, resume, and three work-related references. Applicants will be scored on a 100-point candidate questionnaire to be considered for interviews; please provide detail in responses to the questionnaire. Applicants who experience difficulties during the application process should contact recruiter@nd.gov or 701.328.3290.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State Historical Society does not provide Sponsorships.

For more information or if you need accommodation or assistance in the application or selection process, contact Erica Houn at ehoun@nd.gov or 701.328.2327.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.