Job Description

State Historical Society of ND is looking for a dynamic leader to direct the museum division.  Visit http://history.nd.gov/jobs.html for details and application.

  • Reresent the Museum Division in communication with other divisions of the State Historical Society, the State Historical Board, other entities, and the general public.
  • Interpret and promote activities and programs of the division; make presentations to the public.
  • Participate in the planning, development, and updating of long-range plans and initiatives in coordination with the other divisions of the State Historical Society and other entities.
  • Work with the Agency Assistant Director regarding the division’s budget and monitor the operations to ensure compliance.
  • Seek and secure grants, foundation and private funding, or collaborations for division projects.
  • Plan, organize, staff, direct, evaluate, and administer activities associated with the programs and/or functional goals and objectives assigned to the Museum Division.
  • Coordinate the hiring, work assignments, training and development of museum division personnel; evaluate overall division and individual performance; determine appropriate personnel actions, organization structure changes, staffing changes, and policy/procedural changes.
  • Serve as project manager for larger collections and exhibit projects.  Tasks include, but are not limited to, developing project budgets and scope of work, development of bid documents or requests for proposals, coordinating the hiring of outside contractors, development of contracts, project oversight and contract administration.
  • Prepare and implement memoranda of understanding and agreements with other state and federal agencies, and private entities.
  • Approve and coordinate acquisition, cataloging, preservation, retention, disposal and management of artifact collections.
  • Conduct research or provide technical information to other agencies, educational institutions, contractors, and the public.
  • Plan or assist with the development, updating, and enhancement of information technology use for agency and division sites.
  • Provide input to publications and the agency website.
  • Maintain a state, regional, and national presence through participation in professional meetings, conferences and other organizations.

Job Requirements

  1. Requires a master’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, history, historic preservation, architectural history, museum studies, or a closely related field and five years of management or administrative work experience related to the major functions of a museum.  Three years of work experience must include supervision of staff.
  2. Large exhibit project management experience.
  3. Experience with collections management.
  4. Knowledge of museum management best practices and procedures.
  5. Excellent written and oral presentation skills.
  6. Excellent interpersonal skills.
  7. Self-directed and motivated, a creative thinker.
  8. Knowledge of North Dakota history helpful.