Assistant Curator

Salary : $70,241.64 - $85,342.44 Annually
Location : Ontario, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 081826 Assistant Curator
Department: Museum
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: TMTR


The Position
Assistant Curator
Are you passionate about working and contributing to a creative environment to advance the mission and goals of a Museum? Looking for a career where you utilize your passion for museum education and be a part of a collaborative and diverse team? If so, the City of Ontario has the perfect opportunity for you! The Ontario Museum of History & Art is searching for an organized and self-motivated individual to join the team as an Assistant Curator assigned to Education. The Assistant Curator assigned to Education is responsible for development and coordination of school tour programs including assisting in the development of public programming and outreach materials, resulting in effective communication of the Museum's exhibits and community programs and activities.
There is one (1) current vacancy in the Education Division within the Department of Museum, Arts & Culture.
Note: The Assistant Curator classification is used throughout the Department of Museum, Arts & Culture in a variety of assignments This recruitment will result in an eligibility list to meet the current and future staffing needs of the department with openings in this classification.
The Ideal Candidate


The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Possess strong communication and presentation skills.
• Exemplary organizational and time management skills.
• A passion for creativity, collaboration, and teamwork
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to take initiative, remain open-minded, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to multitask effectively, including managing scheduling, calendaring, and competing priorities with accuracy and efficiency.

Additionally, the successful candidate will embody the qualities of a "Five Tool Player" - Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant - and the principles of the City's Customer Service Philosophy - Empathy, Respect, and Problem Solving.

The following procedures will apply:

• The Eligibility List will consist of both internal and external applicants who meet the qualifications and successfully complete any required selection processes.
• The hiring department has the discretion to consider internal applicants on the Eligibility List prior to considering external candidates on the Eligibility List.
• The City of Ontario reserves the right, if necessary, to accept only the first one hundred (100) applications from applicants that meet the qualification guidelines below.
• Completed applications will be reviewed and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the City will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Community Life and Culture Agency

The City of Ontario's Community Life & Culture Agency endeavors to meet the Ontario City Council goal to "encourage, provide or support enhanced recreational, educational, cultural and healthy city programs, policies and activities." Community Life & Culture does this through a comprehensive array of programs, activities, services and events available through the Housing Services, Library, Museum, Arts & Culture, and Recreation & Community Services Departments.
The City of Ontario's Department of Museum, Arts & Culture enhances knowledge and appreciation of our Inland Empire community through dynamic, inspiring, and creative exhibits, collections stewardship, family-friendly educational programs, cultural events, and public art. MAC reflects pride in our legacy, who we are, where we live, and who we aspire to be, as well as supports artists of all backgrounds who create experiences that are inclusive, innovative, and relevant. To learn more about the Ontario Museum of History & Art, please view the Department's Strategic Plan
The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including, but not limited to: Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City's team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.

The City's vision for the future is very exciting, and we foresee tremendous growth within the years to come. We welcome you to view the City of Ontario's 2026 State of the City video by clicking on the link below as well as the other links to learn more about the City:
State of the City The Ontario Plan
Smart Ontario Downtown Ontario

Examples of Essential Functions


The essential functions typically performed by the Assistant Curator include the following:

• Assists curatorial staff on collection management, exhibit and educational program development.
• Assists in the development of graphic materials to market collections work, exhibits and public programs.
• Coordinates in-house exhibition research for upcoming exhibits and permanent collections.
• Assists with researching and developing grant applications and other funding opportunities.
• Assists with division budgets and expense tracking, correspondence, reports, arranges studio visits, and general office responsibilities.
• Represents the Museum at events, meetings, and gatherings of the City and general public.
• Coordinates the activities of volunteers, staff, contract artists, and program participants.
• Collaborates with other City departments and assists in communication efforts between the Museum and artists, volunteers, participants, and other community organizations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

When assigned to Education, functions performed include:

• Coordinates development of K-12 educator materials, including outreach brochures, lesson plans, and sample activities.
• Assists in managing the activities and planning of education programs in history, gardens, visual, and/or media arts, including research, design, staffing, and assessment.
• Teaches and/or coordinates tours and workshops for K-12 students and adults in history, gardens, visual, performing, and/or media arts.
• Manages logistics for tour scheduling, tracks and communicates incoming tours requests, and develops quarterly tour request forms.
• Assists with development of a strategic community engagement plan to increase visitorship to the Museum, especially school and community groups.
• Manages, orders, and tracks inventory for art supplies.

When assigned to Exhibits, functions performed include:

• Coordinates installation of temporary permanent, and traveling exhibits, including care of all works, exhibit design, and security.
• Assists curatorial staff with research and writing related to developing temporary exhibits and collections based programs.
• Assists exhibits staff in curating annual exhibits.
• Supports exhibition research, development, and planning: completes and tracks exhibition paperwork including checklists and interdepartmental coordination.
• Supports in copy-editing and proofreading all exhibition materials.
• Coordinates transportation and insurance requirements for traveling exhibitions.
• Coordinates distribution of exhibition marketing materials, such as press releases, local news listings and university outreach.

When assigned to Collections, functions performed include :

• Supports research on collection materials and/or artifacts in coordination with collections and curatorial staff.
• Maintains and improves collection storages across Museum sites.
• Maintains and updates object records in collection management database.

Qualification Guidelines
Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in U.S. or California History, Museum Studies, Art, History, Anthropology or closely related field.
Experience

Two years of museum experience, including either collections management, exhibition development, public education programs, volunteer programs, and/or museum education.
Desirable

• Prior teaching or facilitation experience in a K-12, college, special education, and/or adult classroom setting.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish.

Supplemental Information
How to Apply
Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com, you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise, log in with your username and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:

• List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.

• List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).

• Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.

A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.

NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit required certification(s) or other required documentation as outlined in the Qualifications Guideline section of this bulletin. Please use the attachment function found on the City's online application to attach copies of the requested certification(s) or other documentation. Failure to attach required documentation may result in the rejection of your application. Please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency if you have any questions regarding the application process.
Your application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Failure to complete these sections may result in the rejection of your application.
Supplemental Questions
To complete your application for this position, you may be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.
Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.
Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
Email Notices

Email is the primary way that the Human Resources/Risk Management or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the City of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our page.
The City of Ontario values the health and wellness of our employees and their families. We understand benefits are an important part of your total compensation and we take pride in offering a comprehensive benefit package. Please check out our excellent benefit packages here


Depending upon the assignment, employees within this classification may fall under the Part-Time Compensation and Benefits Profile or be represented by Teamsters Local 1932. For a list of benefits of benefits offered, please review the applicable benefits brochure.


Part-Time -


Teamsters Local 1932 -
01



INSTRUCTIONS: The information on your application and the following supplemental questionnaire will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility and to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, partial information or AI-generated responses may result in disqualification from the selection process. Resumes may be attached, but they will not be accepted in lieu of completing the job experience section of the application or the supplemental questions. Responses to the supplemental questions that indicate "see resume" are considered incomplete. By checking the 'Yes' response below, I indicate that I have read the job bulletin and these instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire. Additionally, I certify that my application and supplemental answers accurately reflect my training, education and experience; and I understand that my responses are subject to verification.

• Yes, I understand the above statement.

02


All appointments to this position are required to provide proof of completion of the listed education requirements. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degrees/Certifications. This must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative conducting the reference check. Failure to provide the required documentation at, or before, time of the reference check process will result in disqualification. If you require clarification on this requirement, please call the City of Ontario Recruitment Team at View phone number on click.appcast.io.Please indicate that you have read the statement above by selecting "Yes."

• Yes
• No

03


Which of the following best describes your highest related level of education?

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Some College Coursework in U.S. or California History, Museum Studies, Art, History, Anthropology or closely related field.
• Associate's Degree in U.S. or California History, Museum Studies, Art, History, Anthropology or closely related field.
• Bachelor's Degree in U.S. or California History, Museum Studies, Art, History, Anthropology or closely related field.
• Master's Degree in U.S. or California History, Museum Studies, Art, History, Anthropology or closely related field.
• None of the Above

04


Please indicate your total years of museum experience, including collections management, exhibition development, public education programs, volunteer programs, and/or museum education. Note : Your experience must be clearly detailed within the work experience section of your application.

• No experience.
• Less than 1 year.
• 1 year or more but less than 2 years.
• 2 years or more.

05


Do you have prior teaching or facilitation experience in a K-12, college, special education, and/or adult classroom setting?

• Yes
• No

06


How would you describe your philosophy and approach to museum education and interpretation? Please identify the teaching and/or learning models that inform your practice and provide a specific example of how you have applied those approaches to engage a museum audience.
07


The Museum develops exhibitions that explore the history of Ontario and the Inland Empire. What educational approaches, exhibition engagement techniques or programming ideas have you implemented? If you do not have this experience, how would you propose to engage the general public and/or school tour audiences in this subject matter?
08


Are you proficient in Spanish?

• Yes
• No

09


Please select the area(s) for which you are interested in being considered for (select all that apply).

• Education
• Exhibits
• Collections

Required Question