Curator and Education Coordinator [The History Center (Linn County Historical Society), Cedar Rapids, IA]

Description

The History Center (Linn County Historical Society) seeks a dynamic and visionary individual to plan and mount exhibits and create collateral educational activities.

Curator-specific Responsibilities:

• Responsible for The History Center’s (THC) artifacts;
• Acquires objects or collections relevant to THC’s mission;
• Catalog accessions, generate donor acknowledgement and correspondence;
• Conducts background research on artifacts, archives and library items;
• Create exhibits, displaying objects and/or collections that tell a story in way that makes the entire experience accessible and engaging to the general public;
• Acts as primary liaison with contracted exhibit designers, fabricators and installers;
• Plans, organizes, interprets and presents exhibitions and lectures;
• Identify and recruit relevant traveling exhibits;
• Negotiates agreements for loaned or rented exhibits;
• Schedules temporary exhibits well advance;
• Oversees collection documentation and management;
• Negotiates agreements for loaned items;
• Ensure adherence to all applicable ethical standards relating to THC collections;
• Produce quarterly collections accession/de-accession report;
• Handles inquiries from researchers and the public; and,
• Manages collection-specific volunteer staff, including recruitment, disciplinary matters and training.

Educator-specific Responsibilities

• Creates a learning strategy to engage the public in line with the principles of the museum;
• Manages educational programs, including budgets, schedule, calendar and personnel;
• Develops programs of talks, activities and workshops around particular exhibitions or in response to particular themes or festivals;
• Creates and develops educational resources for visitors, schools, families and special interest groups;
• Delivers talks, workshops and activities in partnership with storytellers, historians, authors, craftspeople, artists, etc.;
• Facilitates history-inspired activities in the local community in response to requests from schools and community groups or to promote particular exhibitions;
• Schedules group tours for school and adult groups;
• Schedules on site programs for school groups, scout groups and adult groups as requested;
• Provides outreach services to school groups as requested;
• Create & staff family programs and activities; and,
• Schedule/supervise/train Museum Teaching Assistants/Docents (volunteers) in museum programs.

Other Responsibilities

• Writes materials and articles for the website, internal and external publications;
• Participate in the preparation and monitoring of budgets;
• Works with other museum staff to develop and market the museum’s exhibits, events and programs;
• Liaise with other museums, non-profit professionals, outside agencies, volunteer groups, the community and industry;
• Writes grant applications relevant to education, curation, exhibits and functions of the two departments;
• Serves as primary liaison with schools, colleges and teachers to promote the use of the collections and educational activities of the museum (see http://www.bringinghistoryhome.org for youth tour curriculum);
• Establishes a network of useful and productive partnerships;
• Collates, analyzes and applies feedback on THC’s activities;
• Deals with inquiries from clients and stakeholders;
• Serve as staff liaison on related board committees;
• Research, plan and execute all grant opportunities related to general operations and specific projects of THCs collections, exhibits and educational activities, including the support of necessary reporting and accounting requirements; and,
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• A four-year college degree (Masters Degree in a related course of study preferred);
• Minimum of three years of related experience;
• A commitment to the mission of The History Center;
• Must have the ability to work some weekends and evenings as requested and required;
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to drive own vehicle when requested; and,
• Must be able to lift/move/maneuver collections objects properly; capacity to lift at least fifty pounds.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Is experienced in creating programs, from conception to delivery;
• Demonstrated familiarity with professional standards;
• Has experience in curating entire exhibits;
• Must enjoy research;
• Can use basic construction tools effectively, such as drills, saws and other devices necessary to create the display infrastructure for exhibits;
• Has knowledge of office administration practices and procedures;
• Able to demonstrate principles and practices of sound business communication;
• Is able to use correct English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation;
• Demonstrates excellent organizational skills;
• Has keen attention to detail and a tolerance for working on multiple projects simultaneously;
• Has the ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions;
• Can organize, set priorities, take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility;
• Is upbeat, positive, outgoing, personable and able to relate well with diverse populations and age groups;
• Has a demonstrated commitment to completion of projects on a timely basis;
• Possesses excellent verbal skills;
• Has a sense of humor; and,
• Represent THC well to donors, volunteers, and the public at large.

Compensation:            Commensurate with experience, including a robust benefit package.  A relocation stipend is available.

To apply:

Send cover letter, resume, salary expectations and the names and contact information on three professional references to:

Jason S. Wright

Executive Director

The History Center

716 Oakland Road NE, Suite 103

Cedar Rapids, Iowa  52404

Jason@historycenter.org

For submissions via email, please include “Curator Educator Application” in the memo line.

No phone calls, please.