Job Overview
Navy SEAL Museum Fort Pierce
Curator - Civilian Position
Location: Onsite, in person in Fort Pierce, Florida
Reports To: Museum Executive Director/Assistant Executive Director
Organization: National Navy SEAL Museum
Collaborative Partner Site: Navy SEAL Museum, San Diego, California
About the Organization
The National Navy SEAL Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and honoring the heritage of Navy SEALs and their predecessors. Located in Fort Pierce, the birthplace of Navy Frogmen training, the Navy SEAL Museum Fort Pierce welcomes visitors from around the world and provides a meaningful and educational experience for all who enter.
Position Summary
The Curator of the National Navy SEAL Museum is responsible for the preservation, interpretation, and exhibition of artifacts and stories that honor the legacy, service, and sacrifice of Naval Special Warfare personnel. This role ensures that the Museum’s collections and exhibits are historically accurate, engaging, and aligned with the mission to educate the public and preserve Navy SEAL history.
Key Responsibilities
Collections Management and Preservation
Oversee the acquisition, cataloging, documentation, and care of all artifacts and archival materials
Ensure proper storage, conservation, and handling in accordance with museum best practices
Maintain and update the collections database and records
Work with San Diego Museum as necessary to align exhibition messaging, ensure accurate historical presentation, coordinate joint standard documentation as feasible, and support inter-museum loans
Exhibition Development and Interpretation
Research, develop, curate, and update permanent and traveling exhibits that reflect the history of Naval Special Warfare
Collaborate with designers, historians, archivists, and veterans to create compelling, immersive storytelling experiences
Ensure historical accuracy and authenticity in all exhibits and interpretive materials
Regularly review and update galleries to reflect evolving scholarship, declassified information, and community feedback
Research and Historical Integrity
Conduct ongoing research related to Navy SEAL history, operations, and personnel
Serve as a subject matter resource for internal teams, board of directors, external partners, visiting researchers, documentarians, journalists, and partner organizations.
Build relationships with veterans, historians, and donors to expand the Museum’s knowledge base and collection
Pursue and write grants to help facilitate special projects and exhibitions
Donor and Artifact Acquisition Relations
Cultivate relationships with donors, veterans, and families for artifact contributions
Evaluate potential acquisitions for historical significance and relevance to the Museum’s mission
Coordinate and document artifact donations, including provenance and legal agreements
Education and Public Engagement
Support educational programming, tours, and public presentations
Collaborate with the Executive and Marketing teams to develop content for exhibits, publications, and digital platforms
Provide authoritative, engaging presentations for VIP visitors, donors, and NSW community delegations
Participate in community outreach and special events
Compliance and Standards
Ensure adherence to ethical standards, legal requirements, and museum industry guidelines (export controls, firearms regulations, hazardous materials, copyright, donor/loan agreements)
Develop and implement policies related to collections management and exhibitionsconsistent withAAM/ICOM standards and all applicable Navy/DoD and federal regulations including privacy and OPSEC
Prepare and manage Fort Pierce curatorial and exhibition budgets
Contribute to AAM accreditation and other professional review processes, sharing best practices and documentation with San Diego as useful
Qualifications
Required:
Bachelor’s degree in Museum Studies, History, Public History, or a related field
3–5+ years of curatorial or collections management experience
Experience with PastPerfect Collections Management Software
Strong research, writing, and storytelling skills
Knowledge of museum standards, conservation practices, and collections databases
Excellent organizational and project management abilities
Preferred:
Experience with military history, particularly U.S. Navy and Special Operations
Master’s degree in a related field
Experience working with veterans or military organizations
Key Competencies
Passion for preserving military history and honoring service members
High level of integrity and respect when handling sensitive historical materials
Strong collaboration and communication skills
Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
Work Environment
Museum setting with both office and exhibit space responsibilities, indoors and outdoors
Museum holding where artifacts are stored
Occasional evening or weekend work for events and programs, such as Memorial Day, Muster, and special events and exhibitionsMay involve handling delicate or heavy artifacts
This position may require travel to conventions, exhibitions, the San Diego Museum, and to meet with other collaborative partnerships/museums
Mission Alignment
This role is integral to preserving the legacy of Navy SEALs and their forerunners and ensuring their stories are told with honor, accuracy, and impact. The Curator plays a vital role in connecting visitors to the honor, courage, character, commitment, and sacrifice of Naval Special Warfare.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
