Curator of Collections

Job Title:

Curator of Collections

Location:

Alpine

Department:
Museum Operations

Job No.: 999289

Posting Date: 03/19/2026

Appointment Date: 04/01/2026

Salary: $56,000 Annual

PLEASE NOTE: All applications should contain complete job history entries, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor’s name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes and curriculum vitae do not take the place of this required information.

• A bachelor’s degree is required in history, museum studies, art, or related field, along with knowledge of Texas history. A master’s degree in museum studies, history, art or related field is preferred.
• Minimum of three years’ curatorial experience.
• Knowledge and experience related to collections conservation and management.
• Demonstrated experience with exhibit development, design, installation and display.
• Demonstrated experience in object-based teaching and public tours.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skill in English. Fluency in Spanish is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability in teamwork, followership and leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to work odd and non-standard hours.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Collections software, and basic computer web, email, and related software.

Summary

The CURATOR OF COLLECTIONS has a multi-dimensional role at the Museum of the Big Bend, essentially responsible for being a) the primary contact point and researcher at the MOBB for questions relating the history of the Big Bend region; b) maintaining, safeguarding, managing, studying, recording and interpreting the cultural and historical artifacts, documents, maps and other ephemera in the collections at the MOBB;

and c) utilizing those collections, including the Yana and Marty Davis Map Collection, to help educate students and the general public in matters related to the history and unique nature of the Big Bend region of Texas and Mexico.

Responsibilities

• Organizing, developing, interpreting, displaying and promoting local and traveling exhibits that showcase the collections at the MOBB and the history of the Big Bend region.
• Training docents and conducting educational tours and public programs at the MOBB.
• Collaborating with other MOBB staff in promoting the museum’s goals.
• Helping students and researchers utilize the MOBB Collections.
• Maintaining the Accession Logs, Donor Files and associated collections documents at the MOBB, including those required by Sul Ross State University and the Texas Historical Commission.
• On the Sul Ross campus, maintaining a professional working relationship with the Chair of the History Department, the Head Archivist at the Archives of the Big Bend and the Director at the Center for Big Bend Studies.
• Working with local and regional historical organizations and commissions, including the Texas Historical Commission, the Brewster County Historical Commission, the Chief of Interpretation at both Big Bend National Park and the Fort Davis National Historical Site, Historic Alpine, and the Texas Map Society.
• Maintaining and monitoring the cleanliness, environmental conditions, lighting and safety of all the collections spaces associated with the MOBB.
• Maintaining and monitoring the cleanliness, environmental conditions, lighting and safety of all the public exhibit spaces in the main gallery at the MOBB Heritage (1936) building.
• Act as the Safety Officer and Security Officer at the MOBB.
• Assist the Director and other MOBB staff in all the general day-to-day running of the museum, including fundraising and promoting the museum.
• Occasional weekend and evening work required.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the Curator of Collections will often be required to stand, sit, walk, reach, bend, stoop, kneel, crawl, climb stairs and ladders, lift or handle heavy and odd-sized objects. They must also be able to use hand and power tools, speak or talk loudly, hear, work in confined spaces, have good depth perception, and not be afraid of heights.
• Be familiar with and able to wear and…