Collection Discovery Officer

We are seeking a Collection Discovery Officer to join the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection and play a vital role in connecting people with the rich stories, knowledge, and material culture held within Museums of History NSW’s collections.

The Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection spans the history of Australian homes, gardens and domestic life from the late 1700s to the present. A key strength of the collection is its wide range of formats, from architectural pattern books to trade and retail catalogues, from lampshade designs to wallpaper and linoleum samples. This rich and eclectic collection is a leading source of reference and inspiration for anyone interested in home and garden design, history and life.

Working across cataloguing, research, collection care and public engagement, you will enhance access to the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection through the creation of digital content, public programs, displays and research services, ensuring our collections remain discoverable, relevant and accessible to diverse audiences, now and into the future.

What the opportunity is:
Employment with Museums of History NSW.
Assistant Curator Grade 2. Remuneration package includes salary ($92,632 – $102,936), employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.
Full-time employment on temporary basis for a period up to two years.
The role will be primarily based at the Caroline Simpson Library, The Mint and work at other locations across Sydney.

What we do
Museums of History NSW brings together a portfolio of iconic museums, rich collections and heritage sites, the nation’s oldest archive collection, vital recordkeeping services and expert staff.

We bring history to life by sharing the stories of our places and collections. Through the State Archives Collection, we manage NSW’s official documentary heritage, supporting government transparency and the public’s right to access information.

These two roles do not just sit side by side – they inform and enrich each other. By preserving and making accessible our places, collections and archives, we create opportunities for people to explore the past and better understand their own place in the world. By supporting lifelong learning and inviting people to come together, we promote civic literacy, empathy, wellbeing and belonging.

We believe that history belongs to everyone. This is the promise and the purpose of MHNSW.

Museums of History NSW is a state cultural institution, established under the Museums of History NSW Act 2022. It is an agency of the NSW Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS).

What you’ll do with us:
Support the delivery of specialist information services to MHNSW staff and a broad spectrum of library patrons through the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection [CSL&RC] including through the creation of electronic and digital catalogue records, related online content, programs and displays enabling MHNSW to increase public access to and engagement with the library and its collections.

For more information on the role, Catherine Thomson, Head of Collections Care at 02 8239 2261 or Catherine.Thomson@mhnsw.au.

What you need to do to apply
To apply you will need to submit the following:
A one to two page cover letter outlining how your skills and experiences meet the essential requirements for this role.
A current resume listing two referees, and
Respond to the 2 targeted questions (no more than 300 words per answer). Your responses to the targeted questions should be submitted online during your application and not included in the covering letter.
What you need to tell us – Targeted questions:
1. Please describe a research project you have independently undertaken involving a historical collection or cultural heritage resource. How did you establish your research approach, and how did you translate your findings into content or resources that improved public understanding or accessibility?
2. Please provide an example of your experience creating catalogue records and collection documentation. What standards, systems or methodologies did you use to ensure accuracy, discoverability and the long-term integrity of collection information?

Essential requirements of the role:

• Tertiary qualification/degree in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of domestic design history and/or Australian social and cultural history.
• Knowledge of current philosophies and practices in object conservation and collection management is also essential.
• Research skills and demonstrated ability to set a research agenda and the capacity to pursue a research project in a self-directed fashion.
• Skills and experience in creating collection catalogue records, collection interpretation and documentation procedures.
• Willingness to work across and ability to travel to multiple work locations.

Also note:

• For additional resources to help prepare your application and understanding of the process, please refer to Applying for a job.
• Our team can provide alternative formats to apply, make adjustments to the recruitment process and offer information about workplace adjustments and support networks. If you are a person who requires adjustment and would like to request assistance, please contact MHNSWrecruitment@mhnsw.au.
• For technical support with your application, please contact MHNSWrecruitment@mhnsw.au.
• To be eligible for an ongoing role in the NSW Public Sector you need to be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident. For temporary and casual roles, you need to hold a valid visa giving you permission to work in Australia as required by the role.
• All successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check with NSW Police.
• A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

Submit your application before the closing date: 11:59pm Monday 12 October 2026.

Diversity and Flexible Working

We are expert keepers and tellers of history, and its many stories, peoples, and cultures. We want to create a team and workplace that reflects this diversity as well as the diversity in the communities we serve. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better, more inclusive results and connects our people to our communities, to our history, and to each other.

Our vision is to support and empower First Nations people, communities and culture, and across the sites that we care for, we are committed to shifting perspectives, truth telling and delivering honest reflections on history.

We understand that flexibility means different things to different people and are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where and when possible.

If you are a First Nations applicant who would like to have a yarn about the role, or require additional support, please contact Dennis Taylor our Manager First Nations Employment & Engagement on 02 8239 2284 or via dennis.taylor@mhnsw.au.

Our team can provide alternative formats to apply, make adjustments to the recruitment process and offer information about workplace adjustments and support networks.

If you are a person who requires adjustment and would like to request assistance, please contact Liz Akerboom on 02 8239 2355 or via MHNSWRecruitment@mhnsw.au.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.