Associate Curator of Living History

Salaried, Full time, Exempt | $56,100 to $66,300 depending on experience

Department: Education & Engagement |
Direct Support: Director of Education & Engagement

The Associate Curator of Living History manages place-based interpretive programs where staff and volunteers engage guests in period clothing. This position is responsible for the development and coordination of content-specific programming and tour activation demonstrating historical events, practices, trades, crafts, and daily life in the region. The main duties include overseeing all elements of onsite Living History experiential engagement within the Museum and outdoors at the High Desert Ranch and Sawmill: managing interpreters and volunteers, performing routine building upkeep, and coordinating program activation in accordance with established practices and protocols.

• Manage the daily operation of the Living History program.
• Maintain physical artifacts, historic furnishings, and period buildings associated with experiential engagement according to museum standards.
• Oversee the daily operations of Living History sites including maintenance/upkeep of High Desert Ranch period structures and garden.
• Manage living history interpretive team members including, but not limited to, training, scheduling, and program activation in accordance with established SOPs.
• Recruit, train, manage and schedule Living History volunteers.
• Supervise, train, evaluate and assist volunteers in delivering Living History interpretive presentations and informal experiences for audiences of all ages.
• Manage the Living History budget including planning, tracking, and coding.
• In collaboration with the Director of Education & Engagement, research, plan, develop and implement Living History interpretive programs connecting with Museum audiences at the entry, intermediate, and deep dive levels of engagement.
• Collaborate with Education & Engagement Team to develop interpretive strategies to highlight under-told histories of the High Desert, specifically those of key audiences.

• Plan and implement ticketed and revenue generating programming utilizing the developed Living History interpretive strategy and its priorities.
• Develop and maintain written SOPs inclusive of overarching daily operations and differentiated programming.
• Work cross-departmentally to ensure programming success.
• Support after-hours and special event programming.

• Collaborate with the Education & Engagement Team to establish new goals and initiatives.
• Support Education & Engagement Team initiatives including outreach events, Kids Camps, and other engagements as called upon.
• Reflect on and evaluate Living History programming and its alignment with Museum mission, vision, values, and conservation priorities. Continue professional development through research, training, and discussions with colleagues.

• Support the Museum’s accreditation processes.
• Engage visitors during museum-wide events, such as Free Days, fundraising gala, Educators Night Out, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Required:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in history, anthropology, museum studies, education, or a related field
• Preferred:
  Certificate from National Association of Interpretation (CIG, CIH, or CHI) or equivalent professional experience

• 4 years of experience leading interpretive programs or educational outreach, engaging audiences of all ages in a museum, cultural venue, or living history setting
• 2 years of experience managing a team consisting of full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff as well as interpretive volunteers in a museum, cultural venue, or living…