Curatorial Fellow - January-June, 2027

Principal Function:The curatorial fellow is responsible for research support for the development of a new Indigenous experience at Conner Prairie. The fellow will explore historic and contemporary Native American culture and lifeways, with Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and community at the center of the work.

Research may explore topics such as relationships to land and place, contemporary and historic land use, land management, ecological knowledge, cultural revitalization, and stewardship.

Fellows will be required to conduct original qualitative and quantitative research that may include interviews, oral history, and work with primary and secondary sources. 

 This research will have a direct connection to the project. The fellow’s work will help Conner Prairie better understand the stories, perspectives, and experiences that should inform what is created and ultimately shared with guests.

One fellowship will be awarded for a 4-month appointment. Appointments must take place between January 1, 2027, and June 30, 2027, for 400 hours.

Application Requirements:

• Resume/CV
• Two relevant references (to be listed on the application and/or resume)
• Statement of Interest (400-600 words): Please answer why you would like this fellowship; how will this fellowship support your career goals and describe any relevant experience you have working with Tribal Nations. This should be done as part of your Cover Letter attachment.
• Writing sample (2-5 pages): Writing samples should include original work with citations. This can be taken from a paper written for a course related to the fields of history, museum studies, or Native American and Indigenous Studies. This should be included as part of the Cover Letter/Statement of Interest document as additional pages).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Duties include, but are not limited to:

1. Conducts original research related to historic and contemporary Native American cultures, lifeways, and experiences, with particular attention to Native Nations connected to the project
2. Research topics relevant to the development of the Indigenous experience, including relationships to land and place, land use and stewardship, ecological knowledge, cultural revitalization, community identity, and contemporary Indigenous life.
3. Utilizes primary and secondary sources, including archival materials, scholarly literature, Tribal and community-based research, oral histories, and other relevant sources
4. Collaborates with Conner Prairie staff and members of the Indigenous Advisory Committee, as appropriate, to ensure research reflects community perspectives, priorities, and knowledge.
5. Connects research findings directly to interpretive planning by identifying opportunities for research to inform exhibit content, guest experiences, and programming.
6. Presents research findings and recommendations to Conner Prairie staff, and when appropriate, the Indigenous Advisory Committee.
7. Participates in regular project meetings and works collaboratively with the project team to refine research priorities as the Indigenous experience continues to develop.

Supervisory Responsibilities:This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Education and/or Experience:To apply a candidate must be in progress or have recently completed a graduate level program in a relevant field. (Native American & Indigenous Studies, public history, environmental studies, history, anthropology, museum studies, library sciences etc.)

Qualifications

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the organization. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Competencies:To perform this job successfully, all employees at Conner Prairie should demonstrate the following competencies:

• CustomerService – Responds to requests for service and assistance; Manages difficult or emotional customer situations focusing on listening without interrupting and keeping ones emotions under control; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Maintains confidentiality and meets commitments; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.
• Teamwork– Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone’s efforts to succeed.
• Diversity– Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics– Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support– Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization’s goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Professionalism –Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality/Quantity – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to promote and improve quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality; Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity and works quickly.
• Safety/Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Attendance/Punctuality/Dependability – Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and events on time; Follows instructions; Responds to management’s direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternative plan.

Job-related Competencies –To perform this job successfully, employees in this job should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Adaptability -Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Technical Skills -Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Oral Communication -Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Initiative -Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently will stand; walk; and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  The employee occasionally will climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and the ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is exposed to working in wet or humid conditions (non-weather), and outdoor weather conditions. The employee will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places, near fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold (non-weather), extreme heat (non-weather), risk of electrical shock, and work with explosives. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Conner Prairie is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, this position will be required to work beyond these hours and when open for special events.