Careers

Posted: August 29, 2025

Exhibit Projects Manager

Role Title: PR & Mktg Spec II
Minimum starting salary: $55,000
Pay Band: 4
Location: Martinsville, Virginia

About this Position
An exceptional job opportunity with the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) is now available. The Exhibit Projects Manager will oversee the Virginia Museum of Natural History’s exhibits and graphic design program, serving as a project coordinator for complex exhibits and publications initiatives. The Exhibit Projects Manager will also provide key support for marketing, events, and strategic partnerships. The Exhibit Projects Manager will report to the VMNH Deputy Director and will be a key member of the Advancement department. The Advancement department includes the areas of marketing, development, and exhibits.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Project management experience preferred
• Museum experience and graphic design experience desirable

Job Duties

• Exhibit Management
  • Oversee VMNH exhibits program
  • Effectively manage all exhibit projects
  • Develop new exhibits in partnership with key stakeholders, including VMNH scientists and educators, as well as outside collaborators
  • Coordinate rental of outside exhibits by VMNH
  • Coordinate rental of VMNH exhibits by other museums and organizations
  • Coordinate offside displays and visitation data collection/reporting
• Graphic Design
  • Provide graphic design services for print and electronic materials to include advertisements, flyers, rack cards, special publications, posters and exhibit materials.
  • Coordinate with outside vendors as appropriate
• Overall Marketing Support
  • Provide support for initiatives led by the Marketing & Public Relations Manager and Deputy Director.
  • Duties to include photography, videography and general marketing support.
  • Represent VMNH at offsite events to include festivals, trade shows and other events.
• Event Support
  • Provide exhibits, graphic design and general support for festivals, science talks, receptions and other events in coordination with the Visitor Services & Events Manager.

Application Process
Only online applications are accepted. A resume and cover letter are required. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The Commonwealth of Virginia online employment application is available at: https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/jobs/exhibit-projects-manager-martinsville-virginia-united-states.

If you have questions about the position or the application process, please contact Lynette Perkins, Human Resources Manager, at 276-403-8522 or lynette.perkins@vmnh.virginia.gov.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History complies with E-Verify which is an internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are afforded equal opportunities without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability. The successful applicant must furnish proof of identity and employment eligibility and is subject to a background check.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are afforded equal opportunities without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. The successful applicant must furnish proof of identity and employment eligibility and is subject to a background check.

Posted: August 29, 2025

Museum Technician / HVAC

Role Title: Trades Technician II
Hiring Range: $25.00 per hour
Pay Band: 2
Location: Martinsville, Virginia

An exceptional job opportunity for the role of Museum Technician/HVAC at the Virginia Museum of Natural History is now available. This is a part-time position up to 24 hours per week. Normal work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with workdays fluctuating between Monday-Saturday (Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend only).

Job Duties

• Monitor, diagnose, and repair HVAC operating systems to include air handlers, motors, and fans
• Perform necessary systems checks and balances of everyday HVAC operations to include Compass operating systems
• Assist in other areas of the museum’s day-to-day operations to include cleanliness and maintenance of general areas of the museum inside and outside
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience with HVAC Systems
• Must have the ability to work with little or no supervision and with a team atmosphere
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Must have computer skills to navigate the analytical aspects of the system
• Must have reliable transportation and valid driver's license are needed
• Must be able to pass background check
• Must be available to work museum events, which may include evening, weekend, and holiday hours

Application Process

Only online applications are accepted. A resume and three references are required. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The application is available at: The Commonwealth of Virginia online employment application is available at: https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/jobs/museum-technician-hvac-martinsville-virginia-united-states-698b42d9-dea9-48be-9f67-a03ff7ff2a6a.

If you have questions about the position or the application process, please contact Lynette Perkins, Human Resources Manager at 276-403-8522 or lynette.perkins@vmnh.virginia.gov.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History complies with E-Verify which is an internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are afforded equal opportunities without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability. The successful applicant must furnish proof of identity and employment eligibility and is subject to a background check.

Posted: August 15, 2025

Assistant Curator – Herpetology

Role Title: Scientist II
Location: Martinsville, Virginia
Salary Range: Pay Band 5
Minimum Starting Pay:  $48,000-$50,000
Position #00007

An exceptional job opportunity with the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) is now available.  VMNH is a state agency in Virginia’s Education Secretariat located in Martinsville, Virginia, approximately 25 miles east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The mission of the Virginia Museum of Natural History is to interpret Virginia’s natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all the citizens of the Commonwealth.

If you meet the qualifications for Assistant Curator – Herpetology, we invite you to apply to join our staff.  The earliest starting date for this position is 1 May 2026, but no later than 15 July 2026. A Ph.D. in biology, zoology, anatomy, or a related field, with a specialty in herpetology, is required at the time of appointment, and experience beyond the Ph.D. is preferred.

We seek a dynamic individual whose work focuses on field and collections-based research involving extant amphibians and/or non-avian reptiles. Although area of specialization is open, systematics and taxonomy are viewed as essential to the museum's scientific mission and should be an important part of a research portfolio. A broad-based approach that includes systematics along with molecular, and/or ecological methods is favored. An active interest in extant museum collections, knowledge of extant eastern ichthyofauna, and an interest in developing interdisciplinary research collaborations is preferred.

This position requires expertise in the global higher-level systematics of an extant amphibian or non-avian reptile group, but overall familiarity with amphibians and reptiles is expected. General competence in field collection, preparation, care, and management of scientific collections is required, along with the ability to interface with outside scientists requesting access to the collections. Other requirements include publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, curation of existing collections, evaluation/acquisition of additional specimens, providing technical expertise for museum programming and exhibits, and serving as liaison between the museum and the broader scientific community via collaborations, reviews, and presentations. The successful candidate is expected to obtain external funding to support their research efforts.

Necessary skills and abilities include good communication (both oral and written), organization, teaching, creativity, and fiscal responsibility. Duties for this position also include interaction with other VMNH departments such as Education, Exhibits, and Advancement. Additionally, the candidate will be expected to host an information table at VMNH science festivals and other public events. The ability to effectively communicate scientific knowledge to a wide spectrum of audiences is viewed as an important qualification.

Facilities include a preparation lab with staff technical support, access to microscopes, molecular lab equipment, ultracold freezers, photography equipment, relational collections databases, and a small research library. Additional facilities are available at Virginia Tech, located less than two hours away in Blacksburg, Virginia. VMNH curators maintain close working relationships with nearby universities, especially Virginia Tech and Roanoke College, and with other state agencies, such as the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

For more information about VMNH, visit our website at www.vmnh.net.

Only online applications are accepted.  In addition to the online application, applicants must submit a cover letter (max. 1 page), curriculum vitae, a statement of research and curatorial interests and goals, a list of publications relevant to the application, and names and contact information of at least three references. These documents may be attached to the online application.

The Commonwealth of Virginia online employment application is available at:
https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/home.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to Ben Williams, Administrator of Science. Application review will begin 22 October 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

The Virginia Museum of Natural History complies with E-Verify which is an internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are afforded equal opportunities without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. The successful applicant must furnish proof of identity and employment eligibility and is subject to a background check.