In the museum field, clear and well-defined position descriptions are more than just paperwork—they’re essential for setting expectations, aligning goals, and ensuring employees thrive in their roles. A strong job description clarifies responsibilities, attracts top talent, streamlines hiring, and provides a roadmap for performance evaluation and professional growth.
But a job description alone isn’t enough. Assessing a candidate’s skillset during the hiring process is just as critical. Museums need professionals with a wide range of expertise—from curation and collections management to education, visitor engagement, and security. Beyond technical qualifications, traits like adaptability, communication, problem-solving, and cultural competency are crucial in a candidate’s success.
By combining well-crafted position descriptions with thorough skill evaluations, museums can build dynamic teams that fulfill job functions and drive the institution’s mission.
Since every museum is unique, these template descriptions should serve as a foundation for customizing to reflect your organization’s specific needs, culture, and goals. These descriptions and skill sets were developed with the assistance of various experts in the museum field. Particular thanks go to Leah Melber, Ph.D., Chris Morehead, Danyelle Rickard, Grace Stewart, and Joseph O’Neill.
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