Museum Curator (Food & Wine History), IS-1015-12 at Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution · Washington, United States Of America · Onsite
- Professional
- Office in Washington
OPEN DATE: September 29, 205
CLOSING DATE: October 14, 2025
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-Sensitive/Low Risk
Open to all qualified applicants
Open to all qualified applicants
**NOTE: This position is being recruited at both the grade 12 and grade 13 levels. To be considered at the IS-13 level, please view and apply through the “Museum Curator (Food & Wine History), IS-1015-13” announcement.
This position has promotion potential up to grade 15. The incumbent may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level upon satisfactory completion of qualifications/performance and at the management’s discretion. Meeting these requirements does not entitle the incumbent to advancement.
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
OVERVIEW
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Division of Work and Industry, Office of Curatorial Affairs, Department of Public History, at the National Museum of American History (NMAH), Smithsonian Institution (SI).
The Winiarski Curator of Food and Wine History will lead the museum’s Food History Project, a multidisciplinary initiative that explores American history through the lens of food and drink. At the IS-12 level, the curator will work individually and collaboratively to conduct research, collect objects and archival materials, and develop parts of exhibitions and programs around a broad range of food-related topics and themes for the benefit of the public.
This position may require occasional work during evenings, weekends, and holidays in accordance with Smithsonian Institution policy. This position requires occasional travel for research, collecting, and conferences around the United States and may potentially require international travel in accordance with Smithsonian Institution policy.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The curator will:
- Undertake research projects in American food history, which may include related sub-fields of agricultural history, cultural history, history of technology, labor history, and business history.
- Conduct research that results in a publishable addition to the body of knowledge on which their division focuses and particularly on the subject of food and wine history, including gallery exhibitions, online digital exhibitions, articles, live public programs, secondary school curricula, documentaries, podcasts, blogs, online games, virtual reality experiences, among others,
- Assist in developing dynamic public programs which share insights with and invite input from public audiences, in collaboration with museum staff and partners within and outside of the Smithsonian.
- Play a role in shaping and fostering the stewardship of the food history collections through strategic acquisition and deaccession following museum procedures.
- Ensure that documentation of objects and collections is accurate and available in the museum’s data management systems.
- Build and sustain collegial and reciprocal relationships with internal colleagues, object donors, and relevant community stakeholders.
- Serve as an expert consultant and advisor to colleagues, educational institutions, research foundations, scholars, other government agencies and the general public.
- Present scholarly papers and make public presentations representing the project, the museum, and the Smithsonian.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience:
All applicants must meet these Basic Requirements:
All applicants must meet these Basic Requirements:
- Four-year Degree in museum work or in an applicable subject-matter field related to food and wine history (e.g. American history, American studies, food studies, etc.)
OR - Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown above
OR - Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; or
In addition to the basic qualification requirement above:
Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess 1-3 years of related experience (described below).
Experience required for this position is as follows:
- Scholarly knowledge within the context and historiography of American history with emphasis on food and wine history in the United States and its territories, which may include related sub-fields of agricultural history, cultural history, history of technology, labor and business history.
- Skill, as demonstrated through experience, in developing public history products such as parts of physical or virtual exhibitions or programs.
- Skill, as demonstrated through experience, in researching or collecting objects related to historical field.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues across divisions as well as with specialists in collections management, design, production, writing/editing, education, public programs, and project management.
- Ability to write, speak, and report on research topics in the field both for a scholarly audience and in a format that encourages public understanding.
Candidates who possess a Ph.D. in a related field of study (American history, American studies, food studies, etc.) are preferred.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo
