KHS Curator III – Senior Curator

The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), formed in 1836, is an agency in Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet.  The KHS campus has three sites in historic downtown Frankfort:  The Old State Capitol; the Kentucky Military History Museum; and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History serving as KHS headquarters with a signature museum, exhibits, library, research facilities, object and archival collections, museum store, and more.  KHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has American Alliance of Museums accreditation. To learn more about the Kentucky Historical Society, please visit https://history.ky.gov.

The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is seeking a Senior Curator to join our Historical Resources Division.  The Senior Curator works to fulfill the mission of the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) and helps their colleagues throughout the organization succeed. The Senior Curator ensures KHS continues to excel in modeling high standards of care of our collection as an American Alliance of Museum accredited institution and a Smithsonian Affiliate. This position ensures the stewardship of the KHS collection so that these strategic assets are continuously accessible to people for research, teaching, and writing about Kentucky history. The Senior Curator provides both administrative and tactical support to the Historical Resources Division with a focus on coordinating object collections team activities. The Senior Curator is highly collaborative, often working in partnership with internal colleagues as well as supporting collecting organizations across the Commonwealth. The Senior Curator will work under the direction of the Director of Historical Resources to implement strategic initiatives for KHS involving collections development and access.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• ·       Lead efforts to maintain, preserve, and improve access to the KHS archival and oral history Lead efforts in the maintenance, stewardship, and continuous improvement of the KHS collection:
• ·       Participate in the KHS Collections Committee review process.
• ·       Propose and implement policy and procedural updates, including the collections management policy, collecting plan, and disaster plan.
• ·       Lead efforts for collection cultivation and management including a deaccessioning project and soliciting new collections in line with KHS collecting priorities.
• ·       Assess object collection conservation needs.
• ·       Supervise and participate in cataloging and other curatorial activities.

·       Extend knowledge of Kentucky History and our collection by collaborating with colleagues to develop ways in which objects can be interpreted and utilized through exhibitions, publications, events, and presentations:

·       Participate in conducting public programs, support partner institutions, and represent KHS at events, programs, and promotional opportunities as needed.

·       Assist the Director of Historical Resources and Exhibits Manager, in collaboration with curatorial & archival staff, to design innovative and accessible exhibits in line with strategic priorities.

·       Collaborate with exhibition staff and supervise curatorial staff in safely displaying and interpreting artifacts on display.

To see the full position description, please visit https://history.ky.gov/about/careers.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• ·        Computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as collection management software (e.g., PastPerfect)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail
• Knowledge of museum object preservation and care standards

• ·        Adherence to professional codes of ethics, collections care best practices/standards, and involvement in field-related organizations.
• ·        Knowledge of Kentucky history desired. Experience working with diverse community organizations and volunteers.
• ·        Supervisory or project management skills

Minimum Requirements:

Education: Minimum of Master’s degree in Museum Studies, Public History, History or a related field.

Experience: Five (5) years of experience working in a museum, history center, or other history-related institution.   

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to lift materials of up to 40 lbs. Must be able to safely handle fragile artifacts.
• Must be able to remain stationary (sitting or standing) for long periods with other periods of frequent bending, stooping, and reaching.

·        Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements

• ·        Knowledge of Kentucky history desired.

This is a full-time position located in Frankfort, Ky., that reports to the Director of Historical Resources. This is an unclassified (non-merit) position pursuant to KRS 18A.115(1)(u).  The annual salary for this position is $52,283.29 with a 5% increase following the successful completion of a probationary period.  The regular schedule includes with a 37.5-hour workweek, and the position may require occasional evening, weekend, or holiday hours and travel as needed to support the programs and events of the Kentucky Historical Society.  Benefits include health and life insurance, optional dental and vision insurance, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, employer paid leave, retirement, and optional deferred compensation plans.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and current resume via email to khshr@ky.gov.  No telephone calls accepted.  The deadline for submissions is Friday, January 9, 2026. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

KHS is an agency of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KHS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, age, pregnancy or related medical condition, marital or familial status, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, or genetic information in accordance with state and federal law.