Senior Curator, History

Senior Curator, History

US-CA-Oakland

Job ID: 2026-1492
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Curatorial
Oakland Museum of CA

Overview

 

OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA (OMCA) MISSION

We inspire understanding and empathy with stories and experiences of California’s art, history, and natural environment to build more equitable and connected communities.

OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA (OMCA) VISION

We envision a just and vibrant future where our communities value and honor one another and the world around us.

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Senior Curator of History conducts and manages the acquisition, documentation, research, and development of OMCA history collections and content across diverse delivery platforms, including multidisciplinary exhibitions, public programs, publications, and online activities. The Senior Curator serves as facilitator, engaging multiple communities in dynamic conversations and explorations of content, including the highest quality research on history reflecting the diversity and complexities of the California experience.

Responsibilities

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following reflects OMCA’s definition of essential functions for this position, but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. OMCA may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. 

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Support the Museum’s mission, values, vision, and core commitment to the visitor experience, community engagement, and institutional relevancy for the futureContribute to and support the OMCA strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity advancementContribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectivesParticipate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagementAll positions will have core functional responsibilities, cross functional team activation and learning and development as a core function of each role.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Collections, Exhibition, and Program Development

Envision, research, document, and develop OMCA’s collections devoted to California’s histories and cultures, with particular emphasis on Northern California.Cultivate and maintain relationships with regional specialists, as well as regional historical societies, archives, and repositories, to support and facilitate the development of institutional projects, collaborations, and partnerships, commissions and acquisitions.Partner in the development of creative approaches for using collections and interpretation to support diverse types of visitor experiences, delivery platforms, interdisciplinary strategies, and topics representative of multiple viewpoints and perspectives.Provide conceptual vision to leverage and to extend the interpretation of OMCA’s History collections with external partners and collaborators in impactful ways.Collaborate in development and execution of grant proposals to support OMCA’s priorities for History-related projects.Support work to identify and secure history-focused touring exhibitions that meet OMCA’s mission and, when feasible, create additional exhibition elements to deepen the local and/or California experience for visitors.Collaborate in the development and implementation of collections management systems, collection policies and procedures, and conservation activities for History objects and collections.Attend to the Museum’s policies, procedures, and professional standards regarding the acquisition, documentation, care, and presentation of collections.Support and perform general collections care work as directed by Collections Staff and as identified by Collections Plan.

Research and Facilitation of Content

Develop, as lead curator, visitor-centered exhibits and programs that are driven by historical research, evaluation, interactivity, and a commitment to California communitiesDevelop, as lead curator, visitor-centered exhibitions, installations and curatorial projects that are driven by historical research, evaluation, interactivity, and a commitment to California communities.Serve as liaison to OMCA’s Native Advisory Council, and in partnership with Collections staff, support coordination of NAGPRA compliance, repatriation requests and communications.Work closely with and support education staff in developing age-appropriate materials and gallery based curriculums.Collaborate with staff in developing strategies for, and producing, a seamless integration of content with interpretation across diverse platforms such as exhibition text, web content, articles, public presentations, and programs.Serve as a thought partner as needed to programming staff for History-based exhibitions, collection presentations, and related topics.Provide institutional leadership on topics related to the state and local history and support for institutional visioning around content, messaging, and staff training.Serve as an external spokesperson as needed with media, donor groups, and community organizations on History-related topics, exhibitions and collections.

Management and Administration

Assist in project management of exhibitions and other activitiesSupervise, mentor, coach, and advise Associate Curator of History and Curator of Photography and Visual Culture. Manage projects including the research, preparation, and administration of related budgets, timelines, and reports.Develop, negotiate, and monitor professional services contracts.Coach and mentor other curators and broader colleagues in areas pertaining to curation, acquisitions, and developing relationships with historical repositories and archives.Lead and train volunteers and interns as needed.Serve on and advise institutional teams as needed.

Qualifications



 

EXPERIENCE

Advanced ability to display and encourage internal and external customer service with visitors, colleagues, community partners and donors; take and share responsibility and treat others with respect.M.A. degree in relevant field.English language proficiency in both spoken and written form; a second language (particularly Spanish or Chinese) desirable.8-10 years previous experience in a museum or related institution working with historical collections including developing collections, interpretive strategies, exhibitions, publications, programs, and other content platforms supported by research and collections.Advanced knowledge of California’s histories and cultures.Knowledge of California Indigenous history.Ability to work within team-based, multidisciplinary approaches for exhibits, programs,interpretation, and collection building.Knowledge of and experience with fundraising techniques, grant application procedures, and funding sources.Museum ethics and standards for collections management and conservationMS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The environment may include:

Museum environment involves both indoor and outdoor working conditionsAbility to travel between OMCA locations, and other travel as required by position responsibilitiesAbility to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends

EEO STATEMENT

The Oakland Museum of California is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, accessibility and equity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ability/disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We highly encourage our diverse community to apply for available employment, internship, fellowship and volunteer positions at the Museum, as we aim to ensure our staff reflects the diversity of our visitors and surrounding community. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, OMCA will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

COMPENSATION: $111,850

Apply Here

PI282244260