Public Historian (Administrative Officer 2)

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is looking for a creative, versatile and knowledgeable Public Historian for The State Museum of Pennsylvania, the official museum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Over the next ten years, this key position will lead State Museum staff, consultants and stakeholders in reconceptualizing several core galleries focused on Pennsylvania history. If you have a passion for Pennsylvania and public history and a knack for developing engaging and accessible history exhibitions, apply today to become part of The State Museum's curatorial leadership team.

As a public historian, you will provide administrative leadership and high-level coordination in support of major agency initiatives, especially the planning, design, and installation of new standing galleries reflecting the natural and cultural history of Pennsylvania. As the lead museum professional, you will be responsible for the planning and implementation of projects that require collaboration with internal staff, external consultants, and partner agencies. As a public historian, you will adhere to internal processes, facilitate communication across functional areas, and ensure alignment of project work with organizational goals.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to one day per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year as an Administrative Officer 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of experience in progressively responsible and varied office management or staff work, including experience in personnel management, budgeting, or procurement; and a bachelor's degree; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• You must have at least three years of experience performing the following duties at a regional or state museum or historic site: (Exhibits experience should integrate two or more of the following disciplines: industrial history, political history, fine arts, social history, decorative arts, or popular culture.)
  • Developing temporary and long-term exhibitions incorporating three-dimensional objects, archival documents and photographs, oral history, and other primary source material from conceptualization to implementation
  • Serving as a project manager for interpretive exhibitions by coordinating large-scale exhibition procurements, budgets, and timelines, working alongside curators, content developers, exhibit designers and fabricators, conservators; museum leadership, and external stakeholders, including visitors, K-12 educators, historians and subject-matter experts.
  • Developing scholarly grounded exhibition scripts which place regional or state history in a national historical context.
• You must have a master's degree in American history, or a related field such as public history or American studies.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualification (not required):

• PhD in American history

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.