Posted August 21, 2014.

The Historical Society of Berks County DBA The Berks History Center (BHC) in Reading PA is seeking an energetic and passionate museum professional for the role of our Deputy Director and Museum Curator. The ideal candidate will be a pragmatic, detailed-oriented leader who is familiar with all facets of a historical society’s operations including oversight of facility maintenance. They will be professionally flexible and understand that all employees within the society wear many hats at any given time. This position reports to the Executive Director.

The Berks History Center Mission:

The Berks History Center is an educational organization that serves to engage and excite our community by interpreting its unique past to understand the present and inspire the future.

Salary:

The salary is $32,000 per year plus benefits (health and retirement).

More about the BHC:

Founded in 1869, the Historical Society of Berks County, now the Berks History Center (BHC), is the official historical society for Berks County, Pennsylvania as recognized by the Berks County Board of Commissioners. The BHC owns and operates three facilities in Reading Pennsylvania. The BHC’s Museum collection includes, 25,000+ three-dimensional objects dating from 1684-2014. The purpose of the BHC is to promote the discovery, collection, preservation and publication of the historical legacy, records, and information relating to Berks County and the City of Reading. We accomplish this by collecting and preserving Berks County Court Records, books, newspapers, maps, genealogies, artwork, relics, engravings, manuscripts, letters, and all other materials that illustrate and document the history, growth and development of the area. Our concentration includes, but is not limited to, the social, commercial and artistic development that shaped the community we serve. In addition to being an important adjunct to the educational institutions in Berks County, we also strive to promote the artistic and cultural legacy of our community, which enhances the quality of life and place for the citizens of Berks County, as well as the county’s reputation as an important destination for tourists throughout the world.

The Center’s Henry Janssen Research Library & Archives is staffed by a full time archivist and holds 2,782.37 linear feet of archival and manuscript material, including 272 collections, with 7,628 books, 600 maps and 20,665 photographic images. This state of the art research center hosts genealogists, scholars and researchers from all 50 states and abroad.

In 2013 the organization went through a major rebranding effort that included a name change to the Berks History Center, a new logo, a mission statement that reads;

“The Berks History Center is an educational center that serves to engage and excite our community by interpreting its unique past to understand the present and inspire the future”.

and a new marketing tag line; Preserve, Educate, Inspire. While remaining true to our core mission, our new brand carries with it a name/identity that is more reflective and embracing of contemporary culture and simply, more welcoming. The new logo and name were designed to re-brand our organization and its programming as one that is relevant to a 21st century audience.

More about Berks County, PA:

Berks County is a tourist destination that boasts a strong arts and cultural character. Reading, PA and Berks County, PA were founded in 1748 and 1752 respectively. The respective populations for the city of Reading and Berks County are; 87,893 (estimated) and Berks County 413,491(2012). Berks County has a unique and wide-ranging history with a strong Germanic background, a distinctive art and decorative arts heritage, as well as a legacy as one of the most diverse and vibrant manufacturing centers in the United States.

Please send PDF cover letter, resume and three (3) writing samples to:

Sime B., Executive Director
s.bertolet@berkshistory.org

Questions:

The Executive Director is happy to answer any questions via email.

Requirements:

M.A. in Museum Studies, History, Historic Preservation, Fine or Decorative Arts, or related area. Previous experience in historic site or museum management is required.

NOTES:

Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and a 403(B) plan.

Job Requirements
Job Mission:

This position contributes to the organization’s success by preserving the artifacts in the BHC collections and through interpretive exhibits it offers to the citizens of Berks County and those that visit us to gain an understanding of the unique legacy of our community.

In addition, the position contributes to the organizations success by its direct oversight of facility maintenance ensuring that the collections, exhibits and programming provided by the BHC are accessible to the public.

Duties:

The Deputy Director/Curator is a hybrid position. We are looking for someone with a strong knowledge of curatorial affairs, who will be responsible for the organization’s 25,000 object collection. The Deputy Director/Curator will have experience in creating interpretive exhibits related programming and will be comfortable leading outreach and working with our education curator and our archivist. In addition the Deputy Director/Curator will oversee facility maintenance and upkeep.

Qualifications:

M.A. in Museum Studies, History, Fine and/or Decorative Arts, or related area. Previous experience in historical organization or museum management is required.

Administrative:

ED’s responsibilities when ED is away
Building and Grounds
Intern and volunteer management
Curatorial:

All organizational curatorial functions
Liaison with the Museum/Collections Committee
Physical Maintenance/Conservation of Collection
Oversee all curatorial duties, researching the 3D collection, identifying objects for acquisition and de-accession, and manage curatorial interns.
Responsible for all collection management duties, including preventative conservation, actively inventorying the 3D collection, and manage collections management interns.
Responsible for all registrar duties, including actively back-cataloging the 3D collection, acquisition and accessing reasonability, manage all incoming and outgoing loans, and resolving old loan issues.
Interpretive:

Physical Maintenance/Conservation of Collection
Exhibit development and design, including identifying new exhibit storylines for changing galleries, developing content which includes researching and writing, interpretive text, and panels, selection of objects from 3D collection, coordinate with the archives to select 2D objects for the exhibit, production of graphic and labels, and instillation.
Conducting specialized tours (VIPS, Academics, etc.)
Lectures and Outreach programs
Strong writing skills required
Special Events:

We manage approximately 30 special events per year.

Other Duties:

“Employees of medium size historical societies wear many hats”

APPLY FOR THIS JOB
Contact Person: Sime Bertolet Phone: 610-375-4375 Ext. 101
Email Address: s.bertolet@berkshistory.org Fax: 610-375-4376