Information about the organization
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a federally chartered, nonpartisan institution that was created by the US Congress to serve as America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and an educational institution dedicated to the history and lessons of the Holocaust. The Museum seeks to educate Americans from all 50 states and all walks of life as well as international audiences. The Museum has three areas of expertise: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust scholarship and education, and genocide prevention.
In carrying out its important memorial and educational mission, the Museum is guided by its institutional values for our workplace: Honor the memory of the victims; carry out our work with dignity, humility, integrity and respect for others; and strive for excellence through teamwork, rigor, and a culture of continuous learning. Consistent respect for others is the foundation for trust, collegiality and inclusion.
Information about the role
The David M. Rubenstein National Institute for Holocaust Documentation’s major responsibility is to collect, preserve, and make available the historical record of the Holocaust and to support with its stewardship of the Collection of Record the Museum's wide-ranging efforts in the areas of research, exhibition, publication, education, and memorialization. The Collections Manager position is located in the Collections Management Branch, Collections Services Division and assists in the collections management responsibilities for the Museum’s permanent collection, as well as other collections holdings. The incumbent works with collections material that includes, but is not limited to, manuscript and archival documents, photographs, artifacts, textiles, artwork, microform and audiovisual holdings, and moving images.
The Collections Manager performs and manages a wide variety of tasks relating to the processing of new acquisitions and existing collections, creation and preservation of hardcopy and automatic records, development and/or correction of Collections Management procedural documents, and care of and access to the permanent collection and other collections holdings; addressing complex issues and developing solutions; and initiating efforts to continuously improve collections management efficiency for the permanent collection.
The position is located in the Shapell Center in Bowie, MD. This is a full-time, donated (non-federal), three-year term position paid with the Museum’s private funds. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Duties and Responsibilities for the role
- Facilitates staff and researcher access to collections and collections information, including but not limited to: identifying, locating, and preparing collections for use.
- Implements museum procedures and practices relating to the access, handling, and storage of the Museum’s permanent and borrowed collections.
- In cooperation with the Collections Management Branch Chief, curators, and/or archivists, analyzes, develops, plans, and participates in arrangement or rearrangement of museum collections including: condition reporting, housing, labeling, numbering and barcoding items.
- Develops, plans, and carries out preservation and rehabilitation tasks to include ensuring proper storage and climate control measures are taken to protect collection materials and identifying items in need of preservation.
- Coordinates and participates in general collections housekeeping and Exhibition Collections Care (ECC) measures in processing, storage, and exhibition areas.
- Conducts the physical tracking of collections items using both electronic and manual systems, including the use of barcoding technology, to ensure locations of items are accurate.
- Coordinates and fulfills requests for items to be transported between Museum facilities, which includes operation of the collection’s vehicle.
- Participates in a regular schedule of collections inventories.
- Creates and maintains collection documentation including hardcopy and electronic registration records.
- Coordinates and manages both domestic and international transportation arrangements for donated and loaned collections. This includes customs clearances and risk coverage, for the movement of all collections into or out of Museum facilities to ensure physical and environmental safety and professional handling at all times.
- Works with conservators, collections management staff and others, to research and develop storage mechanisms, procedures, and techniques for many different media, implementing procedures to use specialized storage equipment and institute appropriate storage mechanisms, both off-site and in the Museum.
- Researches, establishes and maintains relationships with collections management related vendors.
- Guides the technical work and tasks of junior collections management staff members and interns under the guidance and direction of the Chief of Collections Management.
- Serves on cross-office teams, projects, and initiatives to advance the Rubenstein Institute’s priorities and goals, as needed.
- Coordinates and communicates with colleagues and key stakeholders to share resources and integrate efforts across the Rubenstein Institute.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications for the role
- 4+ years professional knowledge of, and experience in, fundamental collections management principles, theoretical concepts, techniques, and functions, and the ability to apply the knowledge to practical problems.
- 4+ years knowledge of, and experience in, performing registration and collections management duties.
- Working knowledge of conservation techniques for all types of objects, including the maintenance of relevant records.
- Ability to conduct research into the methodologies and techniques of the museum and archive discipline to provide resources for the preservation and conservation of collections.
- Knowledge of and experience in established digitization tools and photographic techniques in order to convert flat and three-dimensional materials into an electronic digital copy.
- Extensive knowledge of, and experience in, the safe movement, packing, shipping and insurance needs of collections in-house, overland, ocean and air.
- Knowledge of, and experience in, the theory and practice of computer software systems, barcode technology and project tracking software.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications for the role
- Bachelor’s degree in museum, library, or archival studies and/or a relevant historical field such as history or anthropology.
- Basic familiarity with 20th century history and sensitivity towards the Holocaust and its legacy.
The application deadline for this position is July, 14 2026.
Interested applicants must send their resume and cover letter; applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Thank you in advance for your interest in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, please be advised that only those qualified applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Benefits Highlights:
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum values employee wellness, work-life balance and the diversity of what this means for individual employees in life and work. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package for benefits-eligible employees that includes generous paid leave benefits, health, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, a health savings account with an employer contribution, 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer match and contribution, group term and supplemental life insurance, short and long-term disability, commuter subsidy, access to two employee assistance programs, as well as voluntary critical illness and accident insurance coverage, long-term care and pet insurance options. Our policies also support telework and other flexible schedule options based on the job, work and team collaboration requirements.
The US Holocaust Memorial Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) that embraces a diverse and inclusive workplace. Applications from all qualified individuals will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status.
