Museum Educator
About the Organization
Founded in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical Society is the fifth-oldest historical society in the nation and one of New Hampshire’s leading cultural organizations. It is the only institution devoted to saving, preserving, and sharing all aspects of New Hampshire’s history.
The Society has saved and preserved the most extensive collection of objects, archives, books, and research resources related to New Hampshire history that can be found anywhere. Headquartered in the state’s capital city, the Society uses its vast resources to serve thousands of adults and children each year through its library, museum, websites, publications, exhibitions, public programs, and youth and school educational programs. In recent years the Society has undertaken major initiatives to serve more people and expand access in three focus areas: increased public programming; accelerated digitization of the collections and expanded access through an integrated online collections catalog; and increased support of New Hampshire social studies teachers and education.
The Society’s key priority programmatic and organizational goals are: to enhance the lives of residents and visitors by fostering a greater appreciation of our common history and culture; to improve the quality of history, civics, and social studies education statewide; and to continue to strengthen the organization’s financial sustainability.
The New Hampshire Historical Society is an independent nonprofit organization that receives no financial support from state government. It is financially strong and has a growing statewide membership. The Society is governed by a 22-member board of trustees and employees a professional staff assisted by volunteers. For more information, visit nhhistory.org.
About the Job
The New Hampshire Historical Society seeks a part-time, non-exempt Museum Educator to deliver on- and off-site educational programs to kids and adults. The museum education team works collaboratively to provide enthusiastic, accurate, and enriching experiences for those taking part in the Society’s educational programs about the Granite State. Hours vary during the school year based on type of program.
Scope of Work
Museum educators deliver educational programs including tours of the New Hampshire Historical Society’s building and exhibitions in Concord and off-site programs in classrooms around the state. Most programs are geared toward elementary-aged children, although museum educators may be asked to deliver programs for kids of all ages. Programs mainly occur on weekdays during the school year between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Responsibilities
- Master on-site school programs and teach to school-aged groups at the Society
- Master outreach programs and travel around the state to teach them to school-aged groups
- Deliver all programs in an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and accessible manner with effective group management
- Attendance at monthly staff meetings during the school year
- Participate in program revision and occasional staff enrichment activities
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Teaching, tour guide, or presentation experience (elementary education background and/or social studies or history background preferred)
- Strong communication skills and willingness to work with a range of age groups and abilities
- Reliability, flexibility, and high energy
- Enthusiasm for working collaboratively in a team environment
- A sunny, professional disposition when interacting with teachers, students, visitors, and colleagues
- A functional email account, capable of reading pdf attachment files, and ability to operate a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation or Google slideshow on a laptop
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
- Ability to lift and move baskets of objects, traveling trunks, audio-visual equipment, and other instructional aids as necessary
- Ability to climb stairs, walk, stand, and speak to groups for extended periods of time
Please send a letter of interest and resume or cv as a single PDF file to Jenn Walton, Assistant Director of Education and Public Programs, at jwalton@nhhistory.org. Subject line of the email should read: “Museum Educator [Your Last Name].”