Curator of Campbell House (Preservation & Museum Specialist 5)

Full Job Description

About the Opportunity:
As the Curator of Campbell House, you will provide curatorial, project, and site management oversight for the historic Campbell House complex, including the house, Carriage House, and surrounding gardens and grounds. You will research, preserve, and interpret the history, architecture, furnishings, and decorative arts of the late 1800s–1920s, ensuring the curatorial integrity of the site while leading restoration and preservation efforts. Working closely with docents, volunteers, and internal partners in Education and Facilities, you will support engaging docent-led and self-guided tours, develop exhibitions, publications, and public programs, and steward the historic house collection through responsible acquisitions, deaccessions, and donor engagement. You will also cultivate community partnerships, contribute to professional and heritage organizations, and help sustain both cherished traditions and innovative programming that bring the Campbell House to life for today’s audiences.

Requirements

Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:

• Oversee the restoration, preservation, maintenance, and collections care of the Campbell House complex, ensuring curatorial integrity, legal compliance, and adherence to established maintenance plans.
• Lead planning, logistics, purchasing, and scheduling for routine and capital maintenance projects, collaborating closely with Facilities, Collections, and external preservation agencies.
• Manage financial planning and oversight for the Campbell House complex, including drafting and monitoring annual operating budgets and preparing state operating and capital budget decision packages.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to support capital projects and site use, advising on facility use for programs, events, and rentals while working with executive leadership and state agencies.
• Provide curatorial leadership for the Campbell House complex, including oversight of restoration, preservation, interpretation, docent training, and engagement with regional history, heritage, and preservation partners.
• Research, develop, and curate exhibitions, publications, and interpretive materials for the Campbell House and Carriage House, collaborating with educators, designers, registrars, and other curators on multidisciplinary projects.
• Lead collections-related activities for the Campbell House, including acquisitions, deaccessions, provenance research, donor and public inquiries, and coordination with Museum Collections and History curators.
• Maintain and update interpretive spaces, room displays, and documentation, including organizing and preserving Campbell House and restoration records and supporting ongoing interpretive updates.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with community members, organizations, and descendants connected to the Campbell House to advance regional historical understanding, preservation efforts, and informed interpretation of the site and collections.
• Research, plan, and oversee seasonal decorating and public programs at the Campbell House complex in close coordination with the Education department, providing subject matter expertise and support to staff and volunteers.
• Other duties as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Submission of 1 – 2 writing samples of no more than 1,000 words each within your application.

If the writing sample is an excerpt of a longer piece, please identify what it is an excerpt of (essay, chapter, thesis, article, etc.).

If possible, include exhibition text you have written, such as an object label or section didactic, as one of the writing samples.

Ability to move or transfer thirty (30) pounds.

Demonstrated success researching, developing, and delivering exhibitions, including archival research, content and publication development, object selection, and positive public reception.

Proven experience managing and caring for museum collections and/or historic properties, including collections development, documentation, and effective use of collections databases.

Specialized knowledge of Inland Northwest and Columbia Plateau history within the broader context of American history.

Strong knowledge of museum administration, collections documentation and care, collection management standards, and American Alliance of Museums best practices for collections stewardship.

Strong written, verbal, and public-speaking skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and positively with diverse audiences and to deliver engaging, research-based interpretive content.

Proven ability to lead and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to develop exhibitions, programs, and educational initiatives while maintaining a positive team climate.

Excellent organizational, coordination, and project management skills to complete work on time, on budget, and to high quality standards while supporting community relations and customer service.

In addition to the above required qualifications, a candidate must possess one (1) of the following options:

[Option 1]

• Nine (9) years of combined education and/or related experience*. NOTE: The education stated here should be in History, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, Art History, Historic Preservation, or related field.

[Option 2]

• Seven (7) years of related experience*; AND
• Associate degree in History, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, Art History, Historic Preservation, or related field.

[Option 3]

• Five (5) years of related experience*; AND
• Bachelor's degree in History, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, Art History, Historic Preservation, or related field.

[Option 4]

• Three (3) years of experience as curator at a museum or historical society. NOTE: Related experience* may substitute for this curator experience requirement, year-for-year; AND
• Master's degree in History, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, Art History, Historic Preservation, or related field.

The related experience* stated above should be experience with museum curation, historic house curation, and museum administration and methods (including knowledge of state rules relating to personnel, finance, and contracting); proper function of exhibition and other teams; methods of documenting, researching, organizing, and caring for collections, decorative arts items, and/or historic buildings; and/or United States, Washington, and Inland Northwest/Columbia Plateau regional history.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies
Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following competencies:

• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our MAC DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive, and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization, or community.
• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

Preferred Qualification:

• PhD or MA in History (particularly Public History), Museum Studies, Arts Administration, Art History, Historic Preservation, or an applicable subject matter in a related field.
• Experience managing, conserving, and maintaining a historic house.
• Knowledge of Washington State rules and regulations relating to finance and contracting.
  

Additional Information

How to Apply: Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

1 – 2 writing samples of no more than 1,000 words each. If the writing sample is an excerpt of a longer piece, please identify what it is an excerpt of (essay, chapter, thesis, article, etc.).

If possible, include exhibition text you have written, such as an object label or section didactic, as one of the writing samples.

A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position

A current resume, detailing experience, and education

A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Do not attach additional documents that are not listed above, or any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

Additionally, the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. This position is full-time (40 hours/week), and may work some evenings or weekends as required by museum business needs and event schedules.

Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC), a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Opportunity for All:
The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC) celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.