The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is seeking a Director of Historical Resources who will continue the significant progress in aligning KHS collecting, preservation, and access activities with a 21st century audience.

The Kentucky Historical Society is many things: an educational institution, a museum, a library, a research center. We oversee three historic sites and protect a treasure trove of documents and artifacts for the public. But at the heart of it all, we are a network of people dedicated to preserving and exploring Kentucky’s rich and fascinating past and then using the power of history to improve life today.

Since 1836 the public has entrusted KHS to be the keeper of the Commonwealth’s legacy. KHS has continued to re-imagine this commitment, deepening it to also help Kentuckians recognize history’s value and use it to address the enduring social, economic and sustainability challenges facing us today. KHS is a state agency and membership organization fully accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a Smithsonian Affiliate.  Our mission is to educate and engage the public through Kentucky history in order to confront the challenges of the future.

The Director of Historical Resources is a senior level position that oversees the stewardship of the Kentucky Historical Society’s collections and ensures these strategic assets are accessible for learning and research. By providing direction and leadership to the Historical Resources team, you will continue to build relationships to promote the use of KHS materials. The team also works collaboratively with other historical organizations across the Commonwealth to improve and promote the use of Kentucky’s historical assets in their services and programs.  You will supervise a dedicated and talented staff, pursue grant funding and support related KHS fundraising efforts.

This position reports to the KHS Deputy Director and will have the opportunity to play an important role in shaping the strategic direction and priorities of KHS.  The Director of Historical Resources will be called upon to represent KHS in public meetings and programs, other state agency or cabinet meetings, governing board meetings, potential donor solicitations, or when there is an opportunity to develop and strengthen collaborations with other organizations relating to the KHS mission.
Essential responsibilities are:

Provide vision and leadership to meet KHS Historical Resources strategic and tactical team goals.

Evaluate KHS’ collections and organization to provide support to the organization’s mission and programs, co-chairing the KHS Collections Committee, oversee the periodic review of KHS’ collections policies and procedures, and build positive relationships with donors.

Guide and direct the use of KHS’ collections both internally and externally, working closely with other KHS teams to use collections in our programs and services, promote the use of KHS’ collections in Kentucky and beyond, and ensure the maintenance and continuous improvement of collections databases so that customer needs are met.

Support the work of Kentucky’s historical organizations by modeling and sharing best practices in workshops and conferences, provide field services resources toward training and improving other organizations, utilizing relationships statewide that will help advance KHS’ mission, and provide support to related historical commissions.

You’ll have at least five years experience in a supervisory position and a minimum of five years working with artifact collections. You’ll be creative, innovative, organized and decisive. A bachelor’s degree in history, museum studies or a comparable field is required. A master’s degree or doctorate is preferred.

Effective supervisory, interpersonal, and organizational skills are essential.  You will have in-depth knowledge of collections management practices, experience with AAM’s Continuum of Excellence, adherence to professional codes of ethics, and involvement in museum organizations. Desirable qualifications include a strong knowledge of American and Kentucky history.
NOTES:
Additional Salary Information: This is a permanent full-time position based in Frankfort, Ky. Occasional evenings, travel and overtime may be required. Monthly starting salary is $5,416.68. Benefits include paid health and life insurance, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, state retirement, and optional deferred compensation plan. To apply, e-mail cover letter and resume to khs.hr@ky.gov. No phone calls please. Application deadline is July 31, 2016. Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D