Exhibition Content Development & Research Specialist

FT / PT Status – Full-Time Salary – $20.36 - $34.98 Hourly Wage Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site Recruiter – Coral Ortega | caortega Final date to receive applications – 6/3/2026 6:00 PM MDT

The Utah Historical Society (UHS) is seeking an Exhibition Content Developer & Researcher to lead the content production for the Museum of Utah. Reporting to the Exhibitions Manager, this role turns archival facts and artifacts into compelling visitor journeys across all museum platforms—including permanent galleries, temporary exhibitions, and eventually traveling and online exhibits. This is a practitioner role for a researcher and writer who excels at the technical side of storytelling.

This position will manage the "Master Script" for 17,000 sq. ft. of permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions. This position will focus on ensuring all content is historically accurate and presented as easily digestible information for a public audience. This requires meticulous organization throughout every stage of the exhibition development process.

• Collections Staff:
  Works with them to access objects, provenance data, and genealogical data.
• Design Team (Graphic Designer & Production Specialist):
  Works with this position to translate research into visual narratives, reviewing graphic proofs for factual accuracy and ensuring fabricated structures.
• Exhibition Installation Team (Preparator):
  Works with this position on the physical placement of labels and objects during installation of gallery rotations.

• Integrated Exhibit Research:
  Conducts primary research into archives, libraries, and museums to uncover "people-centered" stories and investigates artifact and image provenance, ensuring every selection directly supports the exhibit’s theme.
• Artifact Research & Advocacy:
  Maintains the Exhibition Research Survey Log and Object Information Worksheets to ensure accountability, vet source credibility, and formally advocate for an object's inclusion through assessing and evaluating significance; collaborates with the Collections Team to confirm safe display and movement of selections.
• Connecting History:
  Investigates institutional and community archives to identify historical records and oral histories to connect local Utah events to broader national trends.

• Narrative Mapping:
  Partners with the Exhibition Manager, Graphic Designer and Exhibit Design & Production Specialist to map the "Story Arc," ensuring the physical layout reflects the narrative flow.
• Exhibit Scripting:
  Drafts all visitor-facing text, including large panels and small object labels (50–75 words), ensuring a consistent tone for both physical exhibits and digital content.
• Content Hand-off:
  Submits final, fact-checked scripts to the Designer and AV Manager on time, ensuring all text is ready for layout and production.

• The Project Bible: responsible for the technical organization and daily upkeep of all exhibition files, research and scripts. Maintains strict version control so the team is always working from the most recent, manager-approved draft.
• Content & Asset Tracking:
  Maintains and updates an Object & Supporting Materials Checklist. Performs the daily maintenance of this list to track which artifacts and images are selected for or cut from displays, ensuring all changes are documented in the institutional record and shared with the Collections Team.
• Meeting Support:
  Supports the Exhibitions Manager during reviews with community members, Tribes, Scholars, and committees. Responsible for documenting the feedback and integrating the manager’s approved revisions are accurately reflected in the working drafts.
• Verification Check:
  Performs a final side-by-side check of all graphic layouts and media proofs against the approved "Project Bible." Flags technical errors—such as typos, mismatched photo credits, or incorrect dates—to ensure the final product matches the team’s verified work before installation.

• Professional Background: 3+ years of professional experience in public-facing interpretation, exhibition…