Museum Curator

About This Role

This Museum Curator position is responsible for developing, interpreting, evaluating, communicating, and curating collections for the Arizona Museum of Natural History, covering both natural and social sciences. The role involves significant research, compliance, policy writing, and providing curatorial expertise for exhibits. The curator also supervises various personnel.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement general curatorial procedures for Social Sciences (history, ethnology, archaeology, anthropology) or Natural Sciences (paleontology, geology, biology)
• Conduct original and secondary research
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws in the acquisition and collection of objects
• Write policies, plans, grant proposals, and reports regarding museum collections, general curatorial information, or designated subject areas
• Provide curatorial expertise on changing and permanent exhibits
• Supervise full-time, part-time, contractual, and volunteer personnel
• Conduct primary and/or secondary research in anthropology or related disciplines (for Anthropology Assignment)
• Oversee the disciplines of ethnology and archaeology (for Anthropology Assignment)
• Coordinate permanent gallery rotations, changes, and updates exhibits, public engagement, and educational programming (for Anthropology Assignment)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a Social Science, Natural Science, or related field such as Museum Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology, or a closely related area
• 3-5 years of collections experience in museums, cultural centers, institutes, academics, or equivalent

Nice to have:

• Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Social Science, Natural Science, or related field such as: Museum Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology, or a closely related area
• Experience in responsible positions in a museum
• Experience in Triassic paleobiology field collection and publication
• Experience in application and administration of grants, permits, and federal and state repositories
• Experience in large museum projects

Benefits

• City of Mesa benefits package

Important Details

• Application deadline: July 6, 2026

About the Company

The current vacancy is in the Arizona Museum of Natural History. All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City’s shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.