Butler County History Center & Kansas Oil Museum

Museum Educator Job Description

Summary

            The Museum Educator is responsible for the development and implementation of educational programming for students and adults. This position will schedule all tours booked to visit the museum. The Educator will be responsible for managing and maintaining the Rolla A. Clymer Research Facility. This position will also respond to research requests from the public and assist patrons in searches.

This position is 30 hours per week at $11/hr to be paid at the end of each month.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

1)      Responsible for developing and implementing education programs and lesson plans that follow the History Center’s mission and incorporate Kansas curriculum standards in history and science, as well as targeting youth/children’s groups and organizations such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America. These programs include visits to the museum, classroom, and meetings. Duties include research, scheduling, and evaluating programs. Responsibilities also include contacting schools, promoting the programs, and providing confirmation letters once tours are booked. This position will also conduct the tours and train as well as schedule docents to assist with tours.

2)      Responsible for developing and implementing educational programs for adults. Responsible for outreach programs to civic groups and organizations as well as adult tours to the museum and special events. This includes creatively initiating and carrying out new educational plans and programming.

3)      Assist with the development, management, and operation of interpretative programs in the outdoor exhibits and the K.T. Wiedemann Living History Area to include: developing interpretative goals for the area, implementing special activities, and interpreting at the sites as appropriate.

4)      Assist with special events in conjunction with the Director and other staff members: this includes planning, organizing, coordinating, promoting and facilitating special events at the museum or off site; set up, tear down, and work the event. Heads planning teams when assigned.

5)      In conjunction with the Director, develops, secures approval, and monitors the education budget as well as assists with the fundraising. Develops departmental goals and objectives. Develops and implements plans tied to the strategic plan.

6)      Responsible for the management, cataloging, care, conservation, and development of the historical and reference collection in the Rolla A. Clymer Research Library. This includes conducting inventories of all materials, shelving, classifying, generating computer files, digitizing records, and filing periodicals.

7)      Manages the activities of the library to include supervising access, providing assistance to researchers and patrons, research and respond to research questions. Maintain obituary collections by organizing and inventorying information for easy access by the public. Work with volunteer librarians to help them understand and implement all programs and library materials.

8)      Responsible for museum services on weekends as scheduled. Duties include: Opening and Closing the museum and its exhibits, research library and gift shop. Assist with greeting visitors, answering phones, and staffing the Gusher Gift Shop as needed.

9)      Update professional knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate journals, books, and other literature and attending related seminars, conferences, and workshops. Continue to conduct historic research to keep the programs fresh.

10)  Advises and reports to Director of work place problems, procedures, and needs. Suggests improvements in related areas such as archives, library, research and educational exhibits.

11)  Required to complete original historical research and communicate findings, develop educational programming and interpretative material relating to such.

12)  Other duties as assigned by the Director

 

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

 

1)      Bachelor’s Degree in history, education, museum studies, or a related field

2)      Requires in-depth knowledge of 19^th and 20^th century American and Kansas history.

3)      Ability to handle a variety of projects simultaneously

4)      Advanced communication skills required to research, write, and present historic research. Develop and implement programs based on current historic research and effective interpretative and teaching techniques.

5)      Ability to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing. Teach classes to research Kansas and American history and maintain computerized records.

6)      Knowledge of event planning, public relations and marketing principles and practices. Ability to develop budget and monitor expenditures, edit, and design a variety of materials.

7)      Requires computer skills necessary to manage and perform computerized record keeping, conduct research, and design educational brochures and materials. Also desired: advanced computer skills to maintain education webpage.

Working Conditions

1)      Exposure to extreme temperatures and weather when working in outdoor exhibits, as well as wildlife, insects and pests

2)      Some heavy and/or difficult lifting is required, and climbing a ladder and stairs when storing and moving books, and archives. Amounts to less than 10% of work time.

Reporting Relationships

1)      Reports to the Director

2)      Responsible for volunteers who work in education department or library

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. In no way does this description constitute a contract, implied or otherwise.

 

Please send resume, cover letter and references to Butler County History Center History Center/Kansas Oil Museum to 383 E. Central El Dorado, KS 67042 or e-mail [log in to unmask]

Anna Bassford-Woods

Executive Director

Butler County History Center/

Kansas Oil Museum