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Curator of Black History, McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
Historical Society Director, Ross County Historical Society

Curator of Black History, McKinley Presidential Library & Museum

After completing the Museum Assessment Program’s self-study on Audience and Community Engagement, the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum began focusing on ways to reach members of its community who do not traditionally visit museums. The Museum has partnered with a grassroots committee in our community to work on creating the proposed Stark County Black History Museum and hire a Curator of Black History to begin this important work. The vast majority of African American historical materials are in private collections, which are at risk to not be preserved for future generations to enjoy. Recognizing that the current staff would not be able to incorporate a project of this magnitude into their current workload, the Museum is seeking to hire someone who will focus their work on this institutional priority.

The Curator of Black History will be instrumental in making sure that African American stories are included in all of the Museum’s existing and future exhibitions, including McKinley’s relationship to African American Congressman George Henry White, African American James Benjamin Parker’s role in attempting to stop McKinley’s assassin, and the members of the African American community who traveled to Canton to help construct the McKinley National Memorial.

This brand new position will collect African American artifacts, archival materials, and oral histories; create public programs and special events to promote this new inclusive focus; and assist with the content, development, and design of temporary and permanent exhibitions focusing on local African American history. This position is funded by a grant with the possibility of becoming a permanent position. The Curator of Black History reports to the Executive Director. Annual reviews will include input from members of the Committee to Preserve Stark County’s Black History.

The Curator of Black History will:

• Strengthen and expand the collecting and interpreting of Stark County’s African American community to preserve their history.
• Conduct research and plan engagement activities with and for Stark County’s African American community. The successful candidate will be present and use listening as a means to connect, understand, and build trust within the community.
• Conduct oral histories to capture living memory of local African American history, with a focus on documenting the culture, history, achievements, and contributions of African Americans throughout Stark County.
• Find ways to incorporate African American history into exhibitions, tours, programs, and events at the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum to provide a more inclusive examination of our community’s history.
• Share the region’s African American history through video and audio presentations, blog posts and written articles, media interviews, online initiatives, public presentations, and more.
• Utilize collections in innovative ways to engage teachers, students, community stakeholders, and the community at large.
• Build and oversee a team of community volunteers that includes founding members of the Committee to Preserve Stark County’s Black History, other interested volunteers, and student interns to assist with this work.
• Write grants, seek sponsors, and prepare funding proposals for community-based programs and events.
• Create content for social media, e-newsletters, and print newsletters to promote activities related to this position.
• Work with all Museum departments, including Collections, Education, and Archives, on collaborative projects that enhance the telling of African American stories through exhibitions, tours, programs, and special events.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred, in history, African American history, American culture studies, African American studies, urban studies, anthropology, museum studies, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in a public history setting desired.
• Experience in community organizing, activism, engagement and community development or education.
• Knowledge of Black/African American history and cultural heritage, American history, cross-cultural sensitivity, and an understanding of museum ethics and best practices. Familiarity with the experiences of Black communities in Ohio, past and present is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in collections management, community engagement, public programming, and project management.
• Good communication skills, both written and oral, including evidence of writing and presenting public programs for a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Knowledge and experience with serving as a lead developer of content for exhibits.
• Experience with information management techniques and database systems used in museums.
• Oversight of departmental operations, including good organizational skills, time management, budget management, facilitating meetings, and professional objectivity.

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $35,000 to $40,000. The position includes a generous health care and PTO package, life insurance policy, and 401k retirement plan. Candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Executive Director Kimberly Kenney at the following address:

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
800 McKinley Monument Dr NW
Canton OH 44708

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Historical Society Director, Ross County Historical Society

Director’s job classification: full-time; salaried
Salary: $60,000 – $75,000 commensurate with education and experience; Sick leave, personal leave, vacation days, and holiday leave are included. Other benefits negotiable.
Organizational profile: The Ross County Historical Society, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1896 to commemorate the centennial of the founding of the city of Chillicothe, Ohio, and to preserve and promote the study of the history of the city, Ross County, and the surrounding region. In its 128-year history the Society has acquired and exhibited an exceptional collection of artifacts and documents reflecting not only the city and county’s rich history but also the building of the Northwest Territory and the beginning of the State of Ohio. More information is available at https://rosscountyhistorical.org/.

Position description: The Ross County Historical Society is seeking a dynamic Director to work with a full-time curatorial staff member, 6 part-time staff members, 3 museum docents, and volunteers.

Preferred educational experience: A master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in museum studies, public history, or related field, and five years of museum work experience is preferred. Also, knowledge/experience in the current best practices of historical building preservation and maintenance is desirable.

Minimum requirements:
 Has the ability to work collaboratively, and cooperatively with fellow employees, volunteers, the Board of Trustees, and the public;
 Has nonprofit accounting aptitude including hands on budget management, budget preparation and analysis – Budget decision making and reporting skills are also necessary;
 Is capable of planning, developing, promoting, and operating comprehensive year-round operations of a historical organization and its programs and services;
 Has experience with museum operations, exhibit design, and collections management;
 Has knowledge of museum ethics, standards, and professional practices;
 Is familiar with collections management software, programs necessary to create text and spreadsheet documents, and digital tools necessary to develop online awareness/programs for the organization; also has the technical skills needed for running programs or virtual meetings;
 Has a strong public service orientation;
 Can manage varied and wide-ranging duties and has the ability to be flexible to unexpected, but necessary changes of plans;
 Has a mind attuned to details;
 Uses effective communication and writing skills.

Job duties:
 Serves as the chief administrative officer and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization;
 Works at developing relationships with the paid staff, volunteers, community members, and city, county, and state officials;
 Supervises staff, volunteers, and interns and is responsible for all hiring, training, and terminations; maintains all appropriate personnel records;
 Ensures that all the organization’s policies are followed and that such policies are reviewed and revised as needed;
 Manages/oversees the securing and maintaining of the property and facilities of the Society, as well as the collections held in public trust;
 Monitors all the Society’s property for maintenance issues, and in conjunction with the maintenance committee, ensures that an effective maintenance program is followed; reports all important maintenance issues to the Board of Trustees;
 Oversees maintenance and repairs which could include being willing to work alone, with other staff or volunteers, or hiring and overseeing contractors;
 Maintains accurate records on the collections, admissions, donations, loans, budgets, and projects;
 Ensures the museum and archives are following best practices and standards;
 Attends all Board of Trustees’ meetings and committee meetings;
 Works collaboratively with the RCHS Board to achieve the organization’s goals;
 Presents a director’s report at the monthly Board of Trustees’ meeting and an annual director’s report at the April annual membership meeting;
 Serves as spokesperson and chief advocate for the organization – Establishes strong partnerships in the community and enhances the public image to expand interest and support. The director shall be the primary spokesperson for all matters related to the Society’s activities, except for sensitive matters, which by board action, may be specifically assigned to the President of the Board of Trustees.;
 Monitors all expenses and receipts with the Society’s treasurer and provides a monthly financial report to the treasurer;
 Develops, in conjunction with the Finance Committee, an annual balanced budget to submit to the Board of Trustees;
 Seeks and prepares grant requests;
 Develops and makes recommendations of programming, events, partnerships, and other opportunities for the RCHS;
 Ensures that all the organization’s activities and programming is welcoming, equitable, and accessible to all, while actively working to identify and build strong relationships and partnerships with the diverse communities that are served;
 Oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization and implements a progressive program for the Museum’s exhibitions, tours, research projects, collections management, educational activities, volunteer coordination and community outreach;
 Manages/oversees all the organization’s correspondence;
 Oversees public relations, marketing, and fundraising campaigns;
 Directs the development and implementation of communications, marketing, and graphic design work related to the Museum programs and services;
 Manages/oversees the writing and distribution of a quarterly newsletter to the membership;
 Manages/oversees museum social media accounts;
 Manages partnerships with professional organizations and other nonprofits, and fosters opportunities for future collaborations;
 Other duties as assigned by the Board of Trustees.

How to apply:
Email a resume, cover letter, and three references to: RCHSjobapp@gmail.com.  Please write ”Museum Director Application” in the subject line. An acknowledgement will be sent when the resume is received and reviewed. If within four days of submission an acknowledgement has not been received, please call or text 740-851-3263 and leave a detailed message. All applications will be treated confidentially and references will only be contacted after notification of job finalists. The Ross County Historical Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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