The Shelby County Historical Society is located in Harlan, Iowa, and was founded in 1964. The
Mission of the Shelby County Historical Society is to be a trusted resource of/for the history of
Shelby County that instills pride while educating and inspiring all generations. The historical society
oversees a 4-building complex, consisting of two exhibit buildings and two historic log cabins.
This job announcement is for the hiring of an Executive Director to provide leadership and
administration over the Shelby County Historical Society and Museum.

Position Description
The Executive Director serves as the overall administrator for the Shelby County Historical
Museum. He/she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of museum facilities. The Executive
Director reports directly to the Board of Directors.

This position is designated as an exempt position and may require evening or weekend hours as
needed.

Education and Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
 Bachelor’s degree in History, Public History, Museum Studies, Nonprofit
Administration/Management, or equivalent degree program. Sensitivity toward history is
preferred.
 Experience in museum or nonprofit work for a minimum of 2 to 5 years.
 Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
 Strength in social media platforms.

Desirable Qualifications
 Knowledge of Past Perfect (version 4.0 or higher).
 Advanced degree in History, Public History, Museum Studies, Nonprofit
Administration/Management, or equivalent degree program.
 Management or administrative experience.

Administrative Duties

Daily Operations
 Provide daily oversight to the operations of the historical society.
 Maintain official records and documents to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.

 Maintaining a working knowledge of museum trends, professional standards, and best
practices to be carried out when developing or improving operations, programs, exhibits,
and collections care.
 Develop and maintain a Disaster Plan for the historical society.
 Direct and oversee routine maintenance of the site. Provide timely information to the
necessary parties on potential maintenance or necessary repairs.
 Performing any other duties as assigned.

Board of Directors and Governance
 Must attend all Board of Directors and assigned committee meetings.
 Provides leadership in developing short- and long-range goals for the historical society and
museum, organization and financial goals, and effectively carrying out plans and policies
established by and with the Board of Directors. This includes making recommendations for
policies and initiatives to the Board of Directors or assigned committees. An appreciation
for and knowledge of strategic planning is critical.
 Provide support to the Board of Directors in meeting its governance responsibilities as
required by law. This includes keeping the Board fully informed and submitting regular
reports about the conditions and issues facing the Shelby County Historical Society and
Museum.

Supervisory
 Responsible for the recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of historical society
volunteer personnel. Ensure the historical society’s facilities are adequately staffed for hours
of operation, programs, and events to meet the needs of patrons. Track and report
volunteer personnel hours.
 for personnel and board members within the available budget. Provide leadership to
personnel that fosters loyalty, integrity, commitment, and creative thinking. Maintain an
open and cordial communication environment for personnel. Encourage and support
continuing education efforts

Financial
 Record daily transactions and prepare deposits on a weekly or as needed basis.
 Working with the Finance Committee, develop and manage a balanced annual budget as
approved by the Board of Directors.
 Working with the Board Treasurer, maintain the financial assets of the organization.

Funding and Development Duties
 Work with staff to develop and cultivate new donors, members, sponsors, and foundation
support. Create and maintain a means of regular communication with supporters.
 Develop new and expanded earned revenue strategies.
 Provide oversight for staff helping to develop, plan, and implement fundraising efforts for
annual gifts, memberships, grants, sponsorships, and capital campaigns. Coordinate major
fundraising events with Grants and Development Coordinator. This includes supporting
that position in soliciting contributions to further the historical society’s goals and programs.

Public Relations Duties

Programming and Outreach
 Develop and organize school and group tours on an annual basis.
 The Manager should be comfortable and have experience speaking in front of a wide range
of audiences.
 Provide oversight of staff working to develop and evaluate historical society programming
and outreach efforts.
 Maintain a stocked and open museum gift shop.

Community Relationships
 Serves as the public face, along with the Board President, of the Shelby County Historical
Society in a professional manner. Maintains a sound working relationship with government
entities and their representatives, community organizations, other historical preservation
organizations, and funding entities such as individuals, corporations, and private
foundations. Maintaining relationships and connections within the local and regional news
media.
 Contribute as an active member of the community through service groups and projects to
establish and maintain important connections.
 Must have excellent rapport with a wide range of visitors, customers, and vendors that they
will encounter. Excellent customer service is imperative.

Marketing
 Design and deliver relevant publications and marketing materials for the historical society
including the quarterly newsletter, monthly newspaper columns, brochures, flyers, and
pamphlets.
 Develops and disseminates public information for promoting the work and programs of the
historical society to relevant media sources.
 Ensure the historical society website, blog, and social media sites are updated regularly.

Collections Management

Registrar Duties
 Maintains records in accordance with current museum standards.
 Responsible for accessioning and cataloging, and the assignment of and application of
permanent numbers to artifacts.
 Maintains and updates all collections forms, procedures, and policies, and other artifact
records, through both manual and electronic systems.

Curatorial Duties
 Provides professional care for objects in the Museum’s collections.
 Evaluates strengths and weaknesses of the Museum’s collections and suggests solutions
and/or de-accessions.

 Plans and implements special projects in the collections area.
 Monitors all collections areas, onsite and offsite, for cleanliness, changes in
temperature/humidity, pest activity, and ongoing maintenance concerns.
 Consults with donors about potential artifact donations.
 Responds to staff, board, donor, and public inquiries regarding the collections.

General Collections Duties
 Adheres in the performance of duties to the professional code of ethics outlined by the
American Alliance of museums.
 Advises the Collections Review Committee.
 Responsible for the recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of historical society
volunteer personnel in the collections area. Track and report volunteer personnel hours.
 Submits regular information to board members through board reports, annual reports, and
Quarterly Collections Review Committee minutes.

Physical Demands
 The Manager generally works in a normal office environment with irregular exposure to heat
and cold when conducting public speaking engagements, evaluating collections in situ,
counseling those seeking advice in caring for their objects, and touring historic properties.
 Must be willing to work occasionally in inclement weather as necessary.
 The Manager must be physically able to lift, carry, move or push 50 pounds using proper
techniques, and to stoop, bend, stand and/or sit for prolonged periods.
 All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with
disabilities.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references by February 16 to Jeff Buman, Shelby
County Historical Society, 1805 Morse Avenue, Harlan, IA 51537. Application materials can also be
submitted via email to shelbyco.museum@gmail.com with the subject line of “Executive Director
Position.” Any questions about the position can be referred to Jeff Buman, President via email or
by calling (712) 236-6994.