Jobs and Internships

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Saco, Maine

 

Are you a dynamic, visionary leader with a passion for libraries, museums, and historical buildings? Do you have a desire to work with the Board and Community to re-envision the future of the Dyer Library and the Saco Museum 10-20 years down the road? If so, this is the career opportunity of a lifetime!

 

The Dyer Library (DL) and the Saco Museum (SM) are in the City of Saco less than 20 miles from Portland, ME, and 2 hours from Boston. The mission of the two institutions is to serve the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the residents of Saco and neighboring communities. Saco’s population of 21,000 is expected to grow by 20% over the next 5 years. The DL/SM has a $1 million annual budget and employs 7 full-time staff, 13 part-time staff and many volunteers. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, receiving support from the City of Saco and donors.

 

Key responsibilities of the Executive Director include providing transformative and transparent leadership for all stakeholders; participating in strategic planning and goal setting with the board of trustees and then working to achieve set goals; overseeing and participating in all areas of administration, finance, fundraising, public services, stakeholder relations, acquisitions, and marketing; working with the finance committee to prepare and administer the budget; and performing the usual duties of a manager including recruiting, hiring, developing, motivating, and evaluating staff.

 

Desirable qualifications include an MLS/MLIS degree from an ALA accredited school (preferred) with a minimum of three years of leadership experience working in a library, museum, or other  non-profit organization; knowledge and experience in fundraising, including grant management; strong written and verbal communication skills; a leadership style that is both cooperative and inclusive; and familiarity with historical buildings and structures that require careful attention.  A combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully meet the position requirements will be considered.

 

Interested applicants should apply with a cover letter and resume to the Hiring Committee via Laurie Bouchard, HR Consultant, laurie@lbouchardllc.com.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pejepscot History Center in Brunswick, Maine, owns and operates the Pejepscot Museum and Research Center, the nationally-recognized Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum, and the Skolfield-Whittier House. The History Center has been in existence since 1888. It has owned its two historic house museums since the early 1980s. They are open from May-October for scheduled guided tours and year-round for private tours and other events.

The History Center operates under a dynamic strategic plan and in recent years has won praise for connecting local history to issues of contemporary relevance.

The new full-time position of OUTREACH MANAGER involves aspects of development, visitor, and volunteer services. As such, it offers a range of ways to be engaged with and impact a busy, three-museum local history organization and its constituents.

Components of the position include general site management of the PHC headquarters and Skolfield-Whittier House; member and donor services; oversight of volunteers and scheduling of house museum docents; visitor services and reception; promotion and publicity; and assisting with a variety of projects and events for current and new audiences.

Ideal candidates for the position must enjoy dynamic, small-team workplaces and be comfortable working on a range of tasks on any given day. They are hospitality-oriented, organized self-starters, excellent with details, and possess strong verbal and written communication skills. Given the many and diverse audiences this position interacts with, an outgoing, welcoming, and patient disposition is crucial. Creativity is key, and a good sense of humor is always appreciated.

Experience working in museums and/or similar visitor-oriented environments, is strongly preferred, as is a background in history or one or more aspects of outreach as defined above. A bachelor’s degree is required. Experience with constituent databases is extremely important. PHC uses Little Green Light for its member/donor database.

This non-exempt position is full-time, year-round at 37.5 hours per week and reports to the Executive Director. Benefits include PTO, holidays, and a health stipend. The daily schedule shifts during the “visitor season” (May-October) to accommodate Saturday open hours. Some evening and weekend hours are required year-round as part of the weekly schedule and/or for programming and special events. Some flexibility for remote work beyond the required on-site hours. Pay rate: Range starts at $23/hour and is dependent upon experience.

TO APPLY: Submit cover letter and resume to Larissa Vigue Picard, Executive Director, director@pejepscothistorical.org. Email applications only. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Start date is flexible but goal is to have someone in the position in early January. Please indicate availability.

Detailed Roles and Responsibilities:

●        Development & Marketing:

o   Manage Little Green Light constituent database: enter gifts, send acknowledgements, segment donor mailings, run reports

o   Manage annual and other appeals and membership recruitment and renewals in conjunction with director

o   Draft development pieces for PHC website, print and e-newsletters, social media, other promotion

o   Build relationships with business partners in conjunction with director

o   Liaison with Development Committee to develop agenda, provide reports

o   Develop materials for fundraising activities and events in conjunction with director; attend events

o   Assist with some grant writing

o   Manage calendar listings for programs and events

o   Develop promotional pieces such as posters and brochures, or work with vendor to produce such materials

●        Visitor Services:

o   Manage front-of-house responsibilities during open hours, putting visitor needs first

o   Open/close headquarters, update signage and messaging as necessary;

o   Manage phones and direct calls as needed

o   Process both online and in-person ticketing process for historic house museum tours

o   Process sales in the museum shop; update museum shop inventory; regularly update displays

o   Schedule and invoice school, private, and group tours

o   Track attendance at house museums, exhibitions, programs, etc.

o   Maintain website to ensure accurate information and online registration process

o   Manage event and program registration

o   Attend events as needed

●        Volunteer Management:

o   Promote volunteer opportunities to recruit new volunteers

o   Meet with volunteers, assess interests, and find meaningful projects for them at PHC and as docents at the Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum and the Skolfield-Whittier House

o   Maintain ongoing communication with all volunteers

o   Organize trainings for new and returning volunteers

o   Manage the docent schedule for historic house museums

o   Organize volunteer appreciation eventsand arrange continuing education activities

Note:

●        Must be able to carefully handle collection items of varying sizes and weights

●        Must be able to ascend/descend staircases that are sometimes steep or narrow

●        Must be comfortable working in an open/public office environment and on a small staff team

The Colby College Museum of Art currently holds more than 900 artworks by the artist Alex Katz, along with associated archival materials that make up the Alex Katz Collection. In addition, the museum has a related collection of approximately 500 artworks—ranging from American and European modernism, to folk art and contemporary art—acquired through gifts from the Alex Katz Foundation, which was established in 2004 by the artist.

Reporting to the Head Curator and working with the curatorial team and others associated with the Colby Museum and its Lunder Institute for American Art, the Katz Curator envisions and implements the research, presentation, interpretation, publication, and collection-care initiatives for the Alex Katz Collection and the Katz Foundation Collection at the Colby Museum. In this capacity, they are a key contributor to the museum’s exhibition and publications as a whole. They also work dynamically, consistently, and responsively with the artist, his representatives, and other stakeholders to further the study and knowledge of Katz’s work and the diverse circle of historical and contemporary artists represented in the Katz Foundation holdings.

For more information about the position and to apply please visit: 

https://colby.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ColbyCareers/details/Katz-Curator_R0000571

Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport seeks a contract archivist (1099) for 1,000 hours in 2023/2024. The position, working with our single volume manuscript collection, will fulfill our goal to create online and hard-copy finding aids accessible in-house, locally, within State of Maine, and nationally. This is an excellent opportunity for professionals looking for short-term work. The Project Archivist will have the skills and expertise to complete the project, consulting with the Richard Saltonstall Jr. Curator of Maritime History (Curator) on Penobscot Marine Museum’s cataloguing conventions and institutional history of the archive. The Contract Archivist will report to the Curator.

Duties:

● Create complete catalog records for approximately 500 single volume manuscripts

o Create template for robust bound manuscript catalog records that meet Library of Congress’ National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections standards

o Attach subject headings to catalog records that identify documents relevant to Museum’s exhibits, program, and scholarship themes

● Provide access online to records locally, within State of Maine, and nationally

o Create and upload records for Maine InfoNet Library System software and National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections

● Reunite single volumes with larger collections and update the collections-level finding aids

Contract Length and Dates:

● 1,000 hours

● Potential start date of Summer 2023 to potential end date of Summer 2024

● Work 20-40 hours a week between 9am and 5pm on weekdays

Qualifications:

● Graduate of master’s level program in archival studies, library science with a concentration in archives and special collections, museum studies, history, public history, or equivalent experience in the archival field.

● At least 2 years internship or work experience in the archives field

● Interest in maritime history and/or Maine 19th century history

● Excellent computer skills

● Familiarity with PastPerfect a plus, training available

● Must be able to climb stairs

● Proficiency in proper archival handling and rehousing standards

● Self-sufficient, yet willing to ask for assistance from and troubleshoot roadblocks with collections staff.

Compensation

● 1,000 project hours at $18/hour

Review of applicants will begin June 28, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit a cover letter, resume, finding aid sample, and three references to Cipperly Good, cgood@pmm-maine.org.

The University of Southern Maine’s Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education has an opening for a full-time Operations and Communications Coordinator. This is an excellent opportunity for a person looking to grow and develop as a museum, library, or cultural heritage operations manager.

The Operations and Communications Coordinator provides project support for the Executive Director and various departments of the Osher Map Library (OML). This includes the management of digital imaging and reproduction requests; gift correspondence; record keeping; the hiring and training of student workers; and event planning logistics. The Coordinator also manages a variety of communication initiatives including: maintaining the general OML email account and phone communication, coordinating social media, website content management related to news and events, creating and distributing monthly e-newsletters to patrons, coordinating exhibition and annual appeal mailings and the creation of promotional materials (working with Marketing), maintaining contact lists, assisting with grant applications, annual reports and exhibition guides, and managing donor and board correspondence.

The Operations and Communications Coordinator will work in collaboration with the Executive Director, staff, or independently to execute special projects from conception to completion and must be able to work under pressure in a highly secure, team-based environment and possess the ability to handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters. Excellent oral and written communication skills are a must, as is the ability to engage with diverse audiences and stakeholders, including University faculty, staff, and students; K-12 students and teachers; other cultural organizations and community partners (local and national); research scholars; members of the general public; as well as board members and donors.

FMI and to apply (by July 31, 2023), please visit: https://usm.hiretouch.com/job-details?jobID=82087&job=operations-communications-coordinator-osher-map-library

Special Collections & Archives (SC&A) is the repository of Colby College’s rare books, literary materials, and institutional records. The archives processing coordinator in SC&A helps to manage the College archives by performing critical processing and discovery tasks for unpublished materials. The position includes supervision of student assistants and interns in various tasks within a busy library environment and may include reference service tasks when needed. Colby College is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment where every member of the community feels a sense of respect and belonging.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage processing workflows within the College archives; create finding aids and other descriptive tools for manuscript and archival collections in consultation with the College archivist and other SC&A staff
• Serve as primary administrator of ArchivesSpace within SC&A, which has both internal and public interfaces
• Train and collaborate with other staff in effective management of records maintenance systems to assure compliance with records management and retention policies of the College
• Train and supervise student assistants and interns in archival processing best practices and ArchivesSpace data entry tasks
• Maintain documentation and communication of procedures to ensure work consistency and quality
• Remain knowledgeable of archival standards and takes a lead role in implementing standards in SC&A
• In collaboration with the College archivist, work with alumni relations, athletics, and other key campus partners on special commemorative events, Colby College history, and alumni-related projects
• In collaboration with the College archivist, assist with intake of materials (both analog and born digital) into the college archives
• Troubleshoot to identify potential problems, make recommendations, and participate in the development of better processes for storage, maintenance, and searchability of documents and files
• Provide reference services as requested and help to coordinate academic use of materials in order to assist the archives education staff within SC&A and department-initiated programming and exhibition
• Help to create/collect departmental statistics for administrative reports
• Participate on library committees and/or working groups and complete other assignments as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
• Minimum of two years of experience in a library, archives, museum, or relevant higher education environment preferred
• Experience with an archival collection management system, such as ArchivesSpace, preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in professional settings
• Ability to establish priorities when working both independently and as a member of a collaborative team
• Demonstrated ability to complete detailed work with minimal supervision and a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to facilitate and improve processes for records organization and retention
• Strong project planning and implementation skills preferred
• Must be flexible, curious and committed to ongoing professional development
• Demonstrates a commitment to valuing diversity and contributes to providing an inclusive working environment
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet Colby’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Reporting to the College archivist, this position has significant interaction with faculty, staff, students, and colleagues and programs in the Colby College Libraries.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Ability to move around campus and to/from the Libraries’ offsite Annex facility is necessary. Occasional lifting up to 30-50 pounds may be required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Successful and satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check).

SALARY RANGE:

$45,000 - $50,000 based on experience and qualifications

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby Careers job posting. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

Archives Processing Coordinator - Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME  04901-8855

The Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity, founded in 2005 located in Bridgton, Maine, is the only museum in the nation dedicated to telling the story of Rufus Porter (1792 – 1884), artist, inventor, and founding publisher of the magazine Scientific American. Located in the center of the town of Bridgton, this museum campus has become a part of the cultural hub of Main Street. Exhibits are open seasonally to the public from June through October. The Rufus Porter Museum’s mission is to celebrate the life, times, and legacy of a remarkable 19th century New Englander through preservation and promotion of creativity and invention.

The Board of Trustees seeks an Executive Director to implement the mission in creative ways and further the progress of the Rufus Porter Museum through the expansion of the permanent exhibits on Rufus Porter plus yearly special exhibits, enhancing programs that will continue to draw diverse visitors and increase membership, and directing the organization as it continues its capital campaign efforts to raise funds for a third museum building.

The successful candidate will have leadership skills to represent the organization effectively to all stakeholders and the public. He or she will be an experienced and well-organized professional of integrity and dedication who enjoys taking on new challenges and multi-tasking. He or she will have a firm grasp of museum best practices and non-profit management. The position requires proven experience in long-range planning, creative program development, donor stewardship, fundraising, grant writing, and project management.

Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree is required in a relevant area of study, a minimum of 3 years museum management or related experience. A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred. Familiarity with databases such as PastPerfect, DonorSnap, and accounting software like Quickbooks desired. The position is 40 hours a week.

To Apply:

Please send resume with cover letter including references and salary requirements to Search Committee at search@rufusportermuseum.org

Qualified candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis.

Job Type: Full-time

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bridgton, ME 04009: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

                

                                        Job Description

 

                   Reference Assistant

 

POSITION TITLE:    Reference Assistant

STATUS:                      Non-exempt                            

SCHEDULE:               Part-time, up to 28 hours per week

REPORTS TO:           MHS Research & Administrative Librarian  

DATE:                          05/01/2023

 

1. POSITION SUMMARY

The MHS Reference Assistant supports research and collections in the MHS Brown Library by answering ready-reference questions, undertaking research and reproduction services, providing patron orientation and access to collections, and monitoring reading room activities. Work includes conducting reference interviews, retrieving and reshelving collections, implementing library policy and procedure, and supporting library operations. The position provides reference desk coverage, works directly with patrons, provides collection use instruction, and helps maintain an orderly reading room. Other duties include stack maintenance, reviewing incoming materials, as well undertaking research for the institution. The position is part of the Brown Research Library’s front-line staff and the MHS Collections & Research department.  

 2. DIRECT REPORTS

 This position does not supervise staff; occasionally supervises interns and volunteers.

3. FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•          Provides reference services for in-house, electronic and telephone inquiries including answering ready-reference questions, conducting reference interviews, patron communication, compiling statistics, and authoring written replies.
•          Provides patron orientation including researcher registration, outlining reading room policy and procedure, and collection handling. Provides oversight of active researchers.  
•          Supports the MHS Research & Administrative Librarian with fee-based research services and reproduction requests.
•          Retrieves and re-shelves materials in open and secure stacks.
•          Helps maintain a clean, secure, and clutter-free reading room.
•          Provides bibliographic instruction for MHS databases, including internal (Minerva/OPAC; Maine Memory Network; Collections Database; membership resources) and subscription databases (Ancestry.com; Heritage Quest; Sanborn Maps; JSTOR).
•          Recommends necessary updates to catalogues, finding aids or housing labels.
•          Supports in-depth and internal research requests as needed.
•          Performs stack maintenance, including shifting and filing collections, re-housing, and light preservation work.
•          Reviews incoming library materials (books, pamphlets, journals, etc.) for inclusion in library holdings.
•          Other duties as assigned.

4. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•          An advanced degree (or currently enrolled) in Library Science or related humanities-based program.
•          Familiarity with special collections/archival reference services and settings.  
•          Demonstrated experience with researching within special collections and archives, including using finding aids and collection handling.
•          Demonstrated proficiency in searching an online library catalogue.

·             Strong communication skills:  listening, written, and verbal.

·             An open and positive attitude and enjoy working with the public.

·             Strong computer skills and ability to learn new programs when needed.

·             Ability to solve problems in a changing environment, high degree of flexibility and adaptability. 

·            Ability to adhere to and implement institutional protocol and methodologies.

·            Strong initiative combined with a willingness to take direction. 

·            Reliability and dependability; ability to work independently or as part of a group.

·         Ability to multi-task and facilitate several projects simultaneously.

·         Ability to lift 25 lbs. and reach above one’s head.

5. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

·         MLS or equivalent in Library Science from an ALA accredited institution.

·         Special Collections reference experience.

·         Working knowledge of Maine history.

·         Familiarity with genealogical research and family history.

·         Working knowledge of Past Perfect Museum Software.

·         Familiarity with PC platforms, WINDOWS, and Office 365.

·         Experience with archival processing and creating finding aids.

 6. WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

 Work is performed in an office and library environment using basic office equipment such as a computer, printer, telephone, and copier.  Work requires sitting, walking, pushing carts, and lifting. All work is performed on-site at MHS’ 489 Congress Street Portland, Maine location.  

 7. SCHEDULE & COMPENSATION:

An ideal schedule is Wednesday-Saturday, 9-5PM. Some degree of flexibility within MHS business hours, but Saturdays are required. A set schedule (week to week) is required.

 $22.00/ hr. with paid time off (PTO). In-town parking is provided.

 

APPLICATION

Contact and how to apply: Interested parties should email a cover letter, resume, and contact information (email address and phone number) for two professional references to:

Cindy Murphy, MHS Office Manager, at cmurphy@mainehistory.org. or mail to

Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress St., Suite 2, Portland, ME 04101-3498            c/o Cindy Murphy.

No phone calls, please.

Application deadline: Open until filled.

 

Maine Historical Society is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Fulbright Specialist Program (FSP) is offering a fully-funded, short-term opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic. We are seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as a Specialist for the project outlined in the attached Open Project Announcement – 

The FSP is part of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State’s flagship international educational exchange program, and pairs highly qualified U.S. academics and professionals with institutions abroad to share their expertise, strengthen institutional linkages, hone their skills, and gain international experience, while building capacity at their overseas host institutions though a short-term, project-based exchange.

The project, ‘Formulation of the Inclusion Policy – DR Museum Network’ (P008127), would involve one visit, approximately 40 days in length, to the Direccion General de Museos in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Ideally the project would be conducted in multiple visits, with Visit 1 during May 2023 and Visit 2 during September 2023, with flexibility depending on the selected candidate’s availability.  Full project details are included in the attached Open Project Announcement.

The grant will include international round-trip economy class airfare, transit allowance ($100), all applicable visa fees, a daily honorarium ($200), enrollment in a limited health benefits program, lodging, meals, and in-country transportation.

Interested applicants should submit a Resume/CV and brief Statement of Interest (max 400 words) to fulbrightspecialist@worldlearning.org no later than 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Further details and application instructions are included in the attached announcement – please note that U.S. citizenship is required to serve as a Fulbright Specialist.

The Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center in Skowhegan, Maine, is seeking a part-time, seasonal Curator. As the Museum’s primary staff person, the Curator cares for and manages the collection, provides tours for people of all ages, and assists with research requests. The Curator catalogs the collections, monitors the environmental conditions of the museum, supervises a summer student intern, collaborates with the Board’s Volunteer Coordinator to ensure daily museum coverage, assists with planning exhibits and programs, contributes to the Museum’s newsletter and social media, and reports to the Board of Trustees. The Curator helps to protect and preserve the collection while make it more accessible and resourceful to researchers and the community.

Ideal candidates have prior experience in a museum or historical setting and great enthusiasm for local history. Effective communication and interpersonal skills, comfort interacting with a variety of people, working knowledge of Microsoft Office, PastPerfect or other collections database program a plus.

This seasonal part-time position begins Mid-May and ends in Mid-October. It is 24 hours per week (Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm) for approximately 20 weeks. Compensation is $20.00 per hour.

For the detailed job description, email president@skowheganhistoryhouse.org .

To apply, email a letter of interest, resume and two letters of reference (as a PDF) by April 17th to: president@skowheganhistoryhouse.org or mail to Patricia Horine, Board President, Skowhegan History House Museum, PO Box 832, Skowhegan, ME 04976.