Be a part of this important time in history! The Connecticut Historical Society is seeking an outgoing individual with an interest in preserving the newest history – that of the Covid-19 Pandemic and its impact on specific communities. You will be proactively reaching out to community leaders and members, initiating conversations and building lines of communication, including making public presentations, about this exciting project. Success will be measured by your ability to manage this project, show communities why sharing their stories and artifacts is important, and working closely with our Collections department to properly intake and catalogue stories and artifacts. Demonstrating two to four years of community engagement or public history work will set you on a path to success in this role.

Who we are looking for:

Our team is interested in filling this full-time position with an experienced and organized professional who is skilled at developing relationships with diverse communities and organizations. You will join a friendly and dedicated staff working in several departments (exhibitions, collections, and education) unified into one team. You will supervise 1-2 interns each academic semester.

What is the Community History Project? The CHS plans to launch a new public history/community engagement initiative, the Community History Project, in which the CHS works with communities to identify, document, preserve, and share that community’s history. The Community History Project uses history and contemporary collecting practices to promote greater cultural understanding and collaborative efforts to strengthen communities’ ties.

The Community History Project also supports the development of future museum professionals to bring change to the museum field. Our current focus is to document the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on Connecticut, in particular those hardest hit by the disease such as communities of color, nursing home residents, employees and employers, those who experienced economic hardship due to the disease, and those impacted by the state’s high mortality rate.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Your duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Work as part of a collaborative team with CHS’s Chief Curator to lead the work of the Community Historian Project
• Collaborate with CHS’ project partners and community advisory councils to identify and implement the project goals
• Build new and strengthen existing relationship with stakeholders and community members
• Supervise 1-2 interns each academic semester by working with academic partners in the recruitment, hiring, and evaluating of the intern’s performance and setting the intern’s work plan
• Plan, implement and evaluate public presentations that may take place in physical or digital spaces
• Build financial sustainability by working with management and the Advancement Department to identify and apply for grants and other funding opportunities
• Working with the Collections Department on following all cataloging and digitization standards
• Preparing internal and external reports and providing information related to the Community Historian Project
• Preparing and delivering public presentations on the Community Historian Project, as assigned
• Other duties as requested or assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a Liberal Arts/Humanities discipline with preference for majors in History, American Studies, Material Culture, Museum Studies, Library/Information Science or a related field
• 2-4 years of community engagement work or public history work
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
• Capacity to think strategically about building and sustaining relationship with organizational partners and community members
• Comfort and enjoyment working within and among people from diverse socioeconomic, racial and political backgrounds
• Effective and consistent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to speak publicly and represent the CHS in community and professional settings
• Experience with teaching, mentoring, and developing leaders
• Ability to work independently and juggle multiple responsibilities
• Willingness to work irregular hours including nights and weekends as needed
• Knowledge of programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Teams, Email, and Social Media
• Some experience with digital catalogs and the Connecticut Digital Archive preferred
• Familiarity with and knowledge of library and museum collections, including how to properly handle historical and/or fragile documents and objects
• Flexibility and excellent time management skills
• Superior organizational and administrative skills
• Ability to assess problems and develop possible solutions
• Be able to work both independently and collaboratively
• Affinity for excellent internal and external customer service
• Be able to lift 30 lbs.
• Have own reliable transportation

Schedule: Full time for grant funded period. Monday through Friday with evenings and weekends as needed for presentations to community groups, etc. Possible approximately on-site at CHS offices 50% of time, remainder remote or travel within Connecticut.

Compensation: $55,000 per year. Full time for two year grant period (through August 31, 2023). CHS will aim to obtain continued funding beyond the grant period.

Benefits: Eligible for full employee benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, employer contributions to 403(b) plan, and paid vacation and sick days.

How to Apply: Please email cover letter and resume to Susan Presutti, Director of Human Resources, [email protected], by Friday, October 1, 2021.

CHS is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.