Educator​/Interpreter | West Columbia, TX

Educator/Interpreter (Education Specialist I) Texas Historical Commission — Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site

Location: 1702 N 13th St, West Columbia, TX 77486
Salary: $4,000.00 – $4,450.00/month
Employment Type: Full-time, Regular
Standard Hours Per Week: 40
Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time
Posting Date: May 13, 2026
Closing Date: May 27, 2026

Under the supervision of the Site Manager and Assistant Site Manager, this position performs moderately complex consultative services and technical assistance work for the Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site of the Texas Historical Commission (THC). Work involves planning, developing, and implementing a full range of school field trips, educational, and outreach programs and events based on the interpretive, educational, and outreach programs and events intended to promote the site's history, increase visitation, and encourage stakeholder participation.

Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

• Implement school field trips and other educational and interpretive programs at the site and online.
• Improve and modify existing programs, events, and exhibits as required.
• Research, develop, and deliver new school field trips and educational programs.
• Perform research related to the site's collections, exhibits, and cultural/natural resources as needed.
• Monitor and review programs for policy compliance and adherence to site goals.
• Participate in volunteer recruitment, training, and scheduling.
• Prepare reports and maintain records, particularly in regard to site programming.
• Conduct outreach programs both on and off-site for diverse audiences.
• Develop collaborative relationships with relevant education stakeholders.
• Collaborate with local agencies, businesses, universities, and organizations to create and implement mutually beneficial programming and strengthen the site's partnership with the community to better serve key audiences.
• Write articles for newspapers, newsletters, and publications, print or electronic, for all audiences.
• Speak to public and private groups to promote interest in the site and museum.
• Use social media and new media as interpretive tools.
• Assist with the supervision of interns and volunteers, maintaining schedules, and submitting time sheets.
• Assist in site marketing efforts by creating advertisements, print materials, and website/social media posts to promote programs and special events.
• Assist with front counter duties, including revenue handling, museum retail sales, phone calls, and visitor interactions as needed.
• Assist with tours, welcome visitors to the site, and familiarize yourself with the site's history, architecture, exhibits, and area attractions. Respond intelligently and succinctly to visitors' questions.
• Assist with light maintenance and housekeeping, as needed.
• May train others.
• Adhere to an established work schedule with regular attendance. Schedule is Wednesday through Sunday.
• Follow all THC safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in history, African American history, public history, museum studies, or a closely related field; experience and education may be substituted for one another.
• Minimum one‑year work experience in at least two of the following areas: (1) cultural resource interpretation at a historic site, museum, or similar facility; (2) researching, developing, and implementing public interpretive programs or events; (3) researching and writing for publication in a related field listed above.
• Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record and ability to drive a state vehicle.
• Required to travel up to 10% of the work period.
• This position is Wednesday‑Sunday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

• Master's degree in history, public history, museum studies or a closely related field.

• Knowledge of American and Texas history.
• Knowledge of State and, local, regional history.
• Knowledge of current methods and strategies of interpretation.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of cultural resource management.
• Effective verbal and written communication, human relations, and organizational skills.
• Effective critical thinking skills.
• Skill in conducting and documenting historical research.
• Skill in public speaking, planned or extemporaneous, in front of diverse audiences.
• Skill in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers.
• Skill in operating a personal computer with word processing, database, and spreadsheet software.
• Skill in marketing design and basic web development.
• Ability to conduct multiple programs in a day's time, with long periods of standing and walking.
• Ability to analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective solutions.
• Ability to process information in a logical manner and to assess validity.
• Ability to work in a setting requiring…