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Museum Collection Assistant Jobs in Maryland (NOW HIRING)

Museum Specialist

Landover, MD · On-site +1

$70K - $91K/yr

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a national museum for the study and ... Facilitate the work of other NMAAHC collection units with the collection. Assist the Photo Services ...

Opened in 2006 and expanded in 2018, the museum welcomes visitors to a unique experience of indoor ... the collection. * Perform independent object research and craft original writing related to ...

Opened in 2006 and expanded in 2018, the museum welcomes visitors to a unique experience of indoor ... Possess excellent communications and customer service skills * Assist other trades with the ...

Opened in 2006 and expanded in 2018, the museum welcomes visitors to a unique experience of indoor ... Propose and assist with medical scenarios, fire drills/evacuations, and other related training.

Museum Collection Assistant information

See Maryland salary details

$9

$19

$29

How much do museum collection assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum collection assistant in Maryland is $19.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $22.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a museum collection assistant?

A Museum Collection Assistant helps manage and preserve a museum's collection by cataloging, organizing, and maintaining artifacts. They assist with research, documentation, and storage to ensure items are properly cared for. Additionally, they may help with exhibition preparation and loan coordination. This role requires attention to detail, knowledge of preservation techniques, and familiarity with museum databases.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a museum collection assistant?

As a Museum Collection Assistant, your daily tasks may include cataloging new acquisitions, updating and maintaining collection records, assisting with condition reports, and preparing objects for exhibition or storage. You may also help with packing and shipping objects, supporting inventory audits, and collaborating closely with curators, conservators, and registrars to ensure each item is handled appropriately. The role often involves a combination of behind-the-scenes work in storage areas as well as occasional public-facing duties during exhibitions or events. Being detail-oriented and organized is essential, as accuracy in documentation and care directly impacts the preservation of valuable artifacts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the museum collection assistant position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Museum Collection Assistant, you need a solid background in art history or museum studies, attention to detail, and experience in collections care or inventory management. Familiarity with collection management software (such as TMS or PastPerfect), as well as knowledge of proper object handling, documentation, and sometimes certification in collections care is valuable. Strong organizational skills, effective communication, and a collaborative approach are important soft skills. These qualifications ensure the safe preservation of collections, accurate record-keeping, and smooth coordination within museum teams.

What are popular job titles related to Museum Collection Assistant jobs in Maryland?

For Museum Collection Assistant jobs in Maryland, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Museum Collection Assistant jobs in Maryland look for?

The top searched job categories for Museum Collection Assistant jobs in Maryland are:

What cities in Maryland are hiring for Museum Collection Assistant jobs?

Cities in Maryland with the most Museum Collection Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Museum Collection Assistant job openings in Maryland as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,445 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Museum Specialist

Landover, MD • On-site, Remote


Smithsonian Institution
Museums and Historical Sites • 5 - 10K employees

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 29 rated museums

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks


$70K - $91K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Summary
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 National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) under Office of Collections Management (OCM) division. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a national museum for the study and exhibition of African American history and culture.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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The Museum Specialist (General) is responsible for carrying out collections management activities for the Office of Collections Management (OCM).
In this position you will:
  • Facilitate the work of other NMAAHC collection units with the collection. Assist the Photo Services department in the handling of objects to be photographed, the curatorial departments in collections work connected with exhibitions and research and the Registrar in preparing objects going out or returning from loan.
  • In preparation for storage, shipping, transportation or exhibition, disassemble, assemble, load, unload, secure, crate or cradle artifacts. Perform all types of collection handling operations, including those that require the operation of forklifts or similar equipment, box trucks and other vehicles or equipment.
  • Monitor environmental conditions of the collection storage areas.
  • Plan for, facilitate, and document researcher use of the collection.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment
Occasionally the work is strenuous, with significant physical activity required to lift some object types that are large and heavy up to 40 lbs.
Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications: Experience related to the operation or management of a museum or similar collection of valuable objects. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include collections management, registration, cataloging, research, preservation, restoration, or conservation of collections of museum material, or other experience related to the position to be filled. Most positions require a particular subject-matter specialization, e.g., aeronautics, anthropology, art, geology, history, natural science, technology, biology, or zoology.
In addition to the basic qualification requirement above:
Experience: You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service or comparable pay band system. For this position, specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience Creating and coordinating workflow related to collections processing; preparing objects for shipping; providing transport and scheduling installation and de-installation for exhibition; creating object housing.
Or Education: Two (2) full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position. Unofficial transcripts are required.
Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the Qualification Standards. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are qualifying by education and/or you have education completed in a foreign college/university described above, it is your responsibility to provide transcripts and proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study. For instructions on where to fax these documents, see the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
In an effort to streamline our hiring process, SI employees whose current position of record is in the same job series (1016) and who are in a Federal competitive service appointment as this advertised position, are not required to submit a transcript with your application package. However, if selected, you will be required to provide a copy of your transcript before your start date in the position.
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement.
Additional information
  • This position is included in the bargaining unit.

Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.
Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.
Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, vacation and sick leave, holidays, health/life insurance, accident insurance, and excellent retirement program options.
Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.
Flexible Spending Accounts - https://www.fsafeds.com/
Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
Long Term Care Insurance - http://www.ltcfeds.com
Retirement Program - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/


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