Executive Director

 

Luzerne County Historical Society

 

The Luzerne County Historical Society seeks a visionary Executive Director to build on past successes and guide the organization to the next level. Our mission is to preserve and promote the collective history and heritage of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, which includes but is not limited to pioneer settlements of the mid-18th Century, a Revolutionary War battle, the legacy of anthracite coal mining and waves of change through the 20th century.

On February 11, 1858, a group of prominent residents met at the Old Fell Tavern in Wilkes-Barre to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the first known successful burning of anthracite coal in an open grate by Judge Jesse Fell.  During the ceremony, General E. L. Dana suggested the founding of a historical society.  A resolution was passed unanimously, and the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society was incorporated in May of that year. In 1999, the Board of Directors voted to conduct business as the Luzerne County Historical Society.

 

The Society owns and operates three historic properties: Bishop Memorial Library, Wilkes-Barre; Swetland Homestead, Wyoming; and Denison House, Forty Fort, Pennsylvania. It also manages the Luzerne County Historical Society Museum, which is on the property of the Osterhout Free Library, Wilkes-Barre. The Society is a 501(c)(3) organization with an annual budget of $140,000.00 and $1.9 million in restricted trusts.

 

For over two years, the Historical Society has been temporarily operated by one full-time employee, and three part-time employees with the support of 22 members of the Board of Directors and approximately 700 Society members. The successful candidate will lead these constituents to achieve the mission of the Historical Society.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

 

Required:

 

  • A. required in history, museum studies, public history, or related field or equivalent experience
  • A working knowledge of US history and a passion for learning local history
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking
  • Ability to collaborate with Board in developing goals and objectives, motivate staff through teamwork, and relate to diverse constituencies
  • Demonstrated knowledge of museum organization and collections management
  • Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising, grant writing and implementation, membership and donor development
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office particularly with Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Familiarity with Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

 

 

Desirable:

 

  • Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience in non-profit management is preferred
  • Experience in strategic planning
  • Experience in fundraising or development capacity with measurable results
  • Knowledge of best practices in non-profit management
  • Familiarity with PastPerfect, Quickbooks,

 

Responsibilities:

 

  • Work with the Board, staff and stakeholders to develop a vision for the future of the Society and create and implement a strategic plan
  • Oversee the day-to-day operation of Society including hours of operation
  • Hire and terminate staff
  • Determine staff size, assignments and duties
  • Recommend salary increases and benefits
  • Manage and report on all personnel matters to Society Board in accordance with by-laws, personnel and volunteer policies
  • Build relationships with local cultural and historical organizations, media, and governmental entities to promote the Society in the community
  • Build upon fundraising efforts through the Annual Appeal, grant writing, major gifts, and special events
  • Work with the Treasurer to develop the annual budget and effectively manage the organization’s resources
  • Attend all board and committee meetings
  • Recommend and implement policy decisions
  • Write and submit an annual report
  • Coordinate all Society activities in collaboration with Committees
  • Oversee the acquisition, care, use, storage and exhibition of the Society’s collections as detailed in the Collections Policy
  • Oversee the management of the properties of the Society in collaboration with the Operations Manager and advise the Board of needed repairs and improvements

 

Salary: Commensurate with experience

 

Benefits: Rent-free housing on the property of the Swetland Homestead (Hancock House) with site-supervision responsibilities; assistance with health insurance; and professional dues including required membership in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

 

Please submit inquiries and resumes to Stephen B. Killian, Esquire, at SBKone@aol.com.