Registrar -Kentucky History Society (Non-Merit)

Salary

$38,118.98 Annually

Employment Type

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | NON-CHAPTER | 37.5 HR/WK

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Hiring Agency

Tourism, Arts, & Heritage Cabinet | Kentucky Historical Society

Location

100 West Broadway
Frankfort, KY 40601 USA

Description

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 https://history.ky.gov

KHS offers an opportunity to join a team of people dedicated to preserving and exploring Kentucky's rich and fascinating past. The agency’s Registrar oversees the collections management and stewardship of KHS's museum object collection, which is represented in approximately 35,000 catalog records. This position also assists with the use of collections in research and programming in order to make our museum collection accessible to the public. The Registrar at KHS is also highly collaborative, often working in partnership with internal colleagues as well as providing occasional technical advice for museums and local history organizations across the Commonwealth.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Manage collections management duties that ensure the ongoing care of KHS collections, including records management, inventory control, implementation of conservation strategies, disaster preparedness, and more.
• Administer the Past-Perfect collections database.
• Maintain and create collections documentation for the Museum and KHS Archives.
• Manage incoming and outgoing loan program.
• Maintain collections policies and ensuring that objects are accessible online.
• Oversee the museum collections storage area, including monitoring pest management, environmental conditions in collections spaces, and more.
• Assist in the use of collections in research and programming, including helping with reference requests, managing access to objects, and providing leadership on collections use, ethics, and care.
• Supervise interns and volunteers as needed, and lead/serve with project and process teams as assigned.

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

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Communication — Demonstrated facility in public speaking, writing and communicating to multiple kinds of audiences.
• Computer Skills — Advanced internet, word processing, database management, spreadsheets, and email use. PastPerfect experience preferred.
• Must have strong organizational and administrative skills and the ability to work cordially with staff and volunteers across the organization
• Must be able to manage a project from concept to completion.

This is a full-time position located in Frankfort, KY that reports to the Chief Curator. This is an unclassified (non-merit) position pursuant to KRS 18A.115(1)(u). The annual salary for this position is $38,118.98 with a 5% increase following the successful completion of a probationary period. The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday with a 37.5 hour work week but the position will require occasional night, weekend, or holiday hours as needed. Benefits include health and life insurance, optional dental and vision insurance, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, 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. Deadline for submissions is Friday, October 17, 2025. 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.

Minimum Requirements

Working Conditions

Required to be willing to work some evening, weekends, and occasionally travel. Required to be able to lift materials of up to 25 lbs. Must be able to use computer keyboard, must be able to visually inspect documents and make decisions from such, must be able to remain stationary for long periods of time (sitting/standing). Must be able to use ladders, bend, stoop and reach.