Collections Management Technician

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 Management Technician position is located in the Collections Management Branch, Collections Services Division. The Collections Management Technician 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 Management Technician performs a wide variety of tasks relating to the processing of new acquisitions and existing collections including: creation and preservation of hardcopy and automatic records, development and/or correction of Collections Management procedural documents, ongoing care of and access to the permanent collection and initiating efforts to continuously improve collections management efficiency

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

• Arranges and rearranges museum collections and space configuration in Museum processing and storage areas to include, condition reporting, housing, labeling, numbering and barcoding items.
• Ensures proper storage and climate control measures are taken to protect Museum holdings by identifying items in need of preservation, forwarding items to a conservator, and rehousing them upon their return.
• Participates in general collections housekeeping and conservation care measures in processing, storage, and exhibition areas.
• Carries out established procedures in support of the Museums digital collections programs, including moving and tracking materials and handling objects.
• Conducts the physical tracking of collections items using both electronic and manual systems, including the use of barcoding technology. Participates in a regular schedule of collections inventories.
• Creates and maintains collection documentation including hardcopy and electronic records.
• Creates and implements documents to advise on standard ethical and legal museum procedures and practices and adheres to policy relating to the access, handling, and storage of the Museum’s collections.
• Arranges transportation for the movement of collections into or out of Museum facilities by retrieving items, condition reporting objects, packing and unpacking containers, and documenting the process.
• Operates a variety of vehicles to accomplish collection moves, including but not limited to, motor vehicles, forklifts and personal lifts.
• Installs and de-installs objects and monitors objects while on display.
• Enables and facilitates staff and researcher access to collections and collections information, including identifying, locating, and preparing collections for use.
• 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

• 1 year of experience in, fundamental collections management principles, theoretical concepts, techniques, and functions, and the ability to apply the knowledge to practical problems.
• 1 year of experience in performing collections management duties.
• 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 disciplines.
• Knowledge of and experience in established digitization tools and photographic techniques.
• Knowledge of the safe movement, packing, and shipping of collections in-house, overland, ocean and air, short and long distances and insurance considerations associated with such moves.
• Knowledge of methods used to coordinate museum exhibitions and displays.
• 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 December, 26 2025.

Interested applicants must send their resume and cover letter; applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

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.