Oral Historian: Indiana State Library

The staff person manages the Historical Bureau’s legislatively mandated oral history of the Indiana General Assembly. The oral historian will implement the project’s third phase, which prioritizes the development of educational curriculum and outreach as well as the continued improvement of the ILOHI online archive and website, the enactment of an ambitious transcription plan, and the conducting of oral history interviews with former legislators.

The oral historian’s duties include program administrative duties; performing historical background research; scheduling, conducting, and processing interviews; implementing plans for preservation and accessibility of the oral histories; engaging in outreach; developing educational programming; contributing to Bureau social media, blog, and almanac; identifying project data and trends to contribute to other IHB programs and initiatives. Occasional travel, mostly in-state, will be required.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $47,320.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

The essential elements of the job duties:

• Coordinate and support the development of at least one of the major initiatives of the Indiana Historical Bureau, which may include digitizing primary sources, conducting oral histories, documentary editing, and researching, writing, and proofing historical blogs, digests, reports, or bulletins for electronic publication.
• Understand and promote the mission of the Indiana Historical Bureau by writing articles, creating analog and digital content or exhibits.
• Deliver programs to highlight Indiana history, and bureau services, or educate public audiences on how to access and use primary sources in physical and digital repositories for historical research.
• Identify and devise ways to adapt and repurpose existent agency research and educational resources in formats that are accessible for 21st century audiences.
• Cooperate with the needs of the Historical Marker Program to provide research, textual, and editorial support.
• Act as agency delegate to assigned historical collaborative committees, panels, or conferences.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:

• Demonstrated ability to operate independently and collaboratively as a senior subject specialist on modern Indiana political history, especially regarding the work of the Indiana General Assembly from 1970 to present.
• Superb people skills to interact with a variety of personalities and holders of a range of political viewpoints in a tactful, pleasant, and professional manner.
• Master’s degree in American history, public history, folk studies, political science, public policy, or related discipline. Graduate-level coursework, practicums, or fieldwork in oral history preferred.
• Minimum of two years work experience conducting oral histories is preferred.
• Basic knowledge of oral history professional practice, methodology, theory, and ethics.
• Previously demonstrated project management, planning, or organizational skills.
• Ability to conduct primary and secondary source research in libraries, archives, and digital environments.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to edit and proofread transcripts.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical abilities.
• Strong technological aptitude and proficiency to work with various specialized pieces of…