Conservator

Final date to receive applications: 9 March 2026

Department: National Museum of the American Indian

Location: Suitland, MD

Compensation: $85,447 - $93,994 / year

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) seeks experienced and highly motivated candidates to fill the position of Conservator for an initial term of three years. The initial term may or may not be extended. The purpose of the position is to work within the NMAI Conservation department to undertake pesticide history and X Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis and reporting as part of the NMAI’s Four Pathways program.

NMAI utilizes the pathways of Community Loans, Shared Stewardship, Repatriation, and Ethical Returns to work with communities and/or individuals to facilitate the return or appropriate care of cultural heritage items.

​The NMAI is responsible for affirming to Native communities and the non-Native public, the historical and contemporary culture and cultural achievements of the Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere by advancing, in consultation, collaboration and cooperation with them, a knowledge and understanding of their cultures, including art, history, and language, and by recognizing the Museum's special responsibility, through innovative public programming, research, and collections, to protect, support, and enhance the development, maintenance, and perpetuation of Indigenous culture and community.

Position details: Trust Fund position (not part of civil service), temporary NTE 3 years, full time, duty location:
Suitland MD. Benefit program includes Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, AD&D Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Smithsonian Membership discounts, and more.

Open to all qualified applicants.

• 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.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the United States is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

• Work in close partnership with NMAI Conservation staff, serving as the primary point of contact for conducting internal pesticides history research, maintaining best practice and optimization of XRF analysis and reporting through research and collaboration, conducting XRF testing and maintaining associated documentation related to the Four Pathways program.
• Develop and document new techniques, procedures and reporting for XRF analysis, collaborate with conservation scientists at the Museum Conservation Institute (MCI), other research specialists and working groups for the advancement of technical studies and reporting related to hazardous residues.
• Responsible for documenting pesticide history and the results of analysis in the NMAI Collections Information System, advance effective communication between NMAI and other Smithsonian units regarding XRF and analysis, and assist with training conservation fellows and interns on the basic use and interpretation of XRF analysis.
• Build and sustain respectful relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous community representatives, fostering meaningful dialogue and culturally informed decision‑making regarding hazardous residue testing, generating clear and easily interpreted XRF reports for Tribal Nations and Indigenous community use once heritage items are returned.
• Work with NMAI Conservation staff to build and sustain respectful relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous community representatives, fostering meaningful dialogue to determine community conservation needs.
• Conduct or assist with conservation treatments and documentation in accordance with the NMAI mission to partner with Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples and their allies for a more informed understanding of cultural heritage, conservation policies and procedures and the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice and Conduct.
• Lead and participate in…