The Smithsonian Institute is currently hiring a Supervisory Historian at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

The National Portrait Gallery provides a brief history: “The National Portrait Gallery was authorized and founded by Congress in 1962 with the mission to acquire and display portraits of individuals who have made significant contributions to the history, development, and culture of the people of the United States. Today, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery continues to narrate the multi-faceted and ever-changing story of America through the individuals who have shaped its culture. Through the visual arts, performing arts, and new media, the Portrait Gallery presents poets and presidents, visionaries and villains, actors and activists whose lives form our national identity.”

The job description for the Supervisory Historian outlines the following duties:

• Leads all historical research and interpretation; monitors the historical accuracy of the work produced by the History Department.
• As a professional scholar, authors articles and books; responds to letters of inquiry on historical topics from the public, researchers, and scholars.
• Oversees the evolution of America’s Presidents; develops special temporary exhibitions on American history, art, and biography; selects artworks to create educational and visually stimulating exhibitions.

The full job description is available online at USAJobs.gov.

The National Portrait Gallery website has additional information.