My first "real" job had me traveling to small history museums throughout the United States. I embedded with hundreds of small museum staffs across 18 states. Through that experience I learned how important small museum folk are to their communities. They're passionate, interesting, and doing necessary work to support their subject's soul and history.
If you're interested in working for a small museum but don't see a role available, try getting your foot in the door by volunteering part-time at a local museum.