#1458 Senior Public Historian
Regular
St Paul, MN, US
Yesterday
Requisition ID: 1458
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JOB TITLE: Senior Public Historian
OPEN TO: This job is open to all applicants.
LOCATION: History Center – 345 W Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102
SALARY: $4,476.00 monthly minimum, commensurate with experience
STATUS & HOURS: Full-time, regular (approximately 2,088 annual hours) position.
DEPARTMENT: Research
CLASSIFICATION: 14L Professional
SUPERVISORY: No
HIRING MANAGER: Director, Research
POSTING DATE: July 14, 2021
DEADLINE DATE: August 4, 2021
TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society’s career center at www.mnhs.org/jobs and include a resume and cover letter by the application deadline date.
DESCRIPTION: The Minnesota Historical Society seeks a Senior Public Historian to help provide the historical context for key issues of our day. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that documenting, preserving, and communicating the mutual histories of the many people who call Minnesota “home” is vital to our collective understanding of ourselves. The past grounds us. It provides us with a platform for discussing who we are and who we want to be. It helps us generate empathy for our fellow human beings. We understand that the past shapes the present in profound ways, and that we must both celebrate our accomplishments and examine historical missteps if we are going to create a more empathetic, inclusive, reflective, and informed community.
This position exists to perform rigorous historical research and analysis, develop content, interact with a wide range of media and public audiences on historical subjects, and draw on general historical expertise to contribute to accessible intellectual and thematic frameworks for public programming, educational products, exhibit content, and other MNHS interpretive activities. The Senior Public Historian is a generalist first—someone who can master a wide range of subjects, communicate their knowledge, and explain the methods of acquiring historical understanding clearly and engagingly to a broad variety of audiences. The Senior Public Historian will report to the Director, Research.
We offer a generous benefits package including medical, dental, life and disability insurance coverage through the State of Minnesota, medical/dental, dependent care and transit expense pre-tax benefit accounts, two employer-contribution retirement plan options, supplemental retirement savings plans and paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.
Founded in 1849 and headquartered in St. Paul, MNHS is the nation’s largest state historical society with an annual budget of approximately $50 million (61% from public funding, 26% earned revenue and 13% contributed income), more than 330 full-time employees and 2,200 volunteers. MNHS plays a key role in the state’s historic preservation, education and tourism activities, and provides the public with award-winning programs, exhibitions and events. Including its flagship facility, the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, MNHS preserves and manages a network of 26 historic sites. MNHS preserves and makes available a collection of a wide range of materials chronicling Minnesota’s history and culture, including about 250,000 objects and 500,000 printed works. In addition, MNHS operates a library and research center, and publishes award-winning books, and a quarterly magazine. A multi-million dollar grants program for local historical societies and other organizations, extensive educational programs, innovative exhibitions, and Minnesota’s National History Day are among its other major responsibilities.
SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) Provide historical research, content and context development, and interpretation expertise to MNHS exhibit, collections, program development teams, and other MNHS staff; 2) Guide program activities and mission delivery across MNHS by working collaboratively with exhibit and program staff to ensure alignment of MNHS’s historical philosophy and framework with MNHS mission, vision and strategic objectives; 3) Pursue professional development through engagement with professional organizations and scholarly community; and 4) Provide work direction for assigned Research Department staff, interns, and volunteers, and ensure overall compliance with MNHS policies and procedures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A Master’s degree in United States History, Public History, Military History, African American History, Native American History, Latino American History, Women and Gender History, LGBTQ+ History, or equivalent field.
Six years program experience as a historical researcher, writer, content developer, and/or educator for public and undergraduate-level audiences or equivalent.
Knowledge of the methods of historical research.
Knowledge of the history of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest and nineteenth and twentieth-century American history.
Ability to conduct, synthesize, and interpret historical research on a wide variety of subjects into coherent themes and narratives, and to present research in a variety of formats (articles, public talks and lectures, interviews, etc.) for public audiences.
Experience working with diverse communities to develop shared opportunities for research and programs.
Ability to lead, direct, and supervise volunteers, interns, team members, and graduate level research fellows.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to write clearly and concisely and effective oral communication with individuals and groups
Ability to adjust and customize content delivery methods (lectures, writing, interview) based on the audience.
Ability to efficiently use Microsoft Office software, i.e. Word, Excel, and Google applications.
Computer skills necessary to develop quality materials and activities.
Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel throughout Minnesota.
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
PhD in American History, Public History, or a closely related field.
Five to seven years working in the public history field or in academia with community outreach and engagement experience.
Experience working in a complex organization with multiple sites and statewide reach.
Engagement with current historical practices demonstrated by presentations, publication, and/or participation with professional organizations.
Proven customer service skills in order to work effectively with a diverse public, including but not limited to children, teachers, senior citizens, people with disabilities, persons of different ethnic or cultural background, people of color, and professionals.
Demonstrated ability to think imaginatively and problem solve.
Demonstrated ability to multitask, work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines, prioritize and adapt to changing priorities.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and take individual initiative while also being able to collaborate effectively and contribute positively in a team environment.
Ability to lead, direct, and supervise professional staff.