Society Associate Director

The work we do matters!

Nebraska State Historical Society - Agency 54

Lincoln, NE

$31.695

JR Historical Society Associate Director (Open)

02-18-2026

The Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS) seeks an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as Director of Collections & Conservation. This role provides strategic, administrative, and professional leadership for all collections and conservation functions, ensuring alignment with NSHS’s mission as a statewide educational and cultural institution. The Director works closely with agency leadership and across departments to advance institutional priorities, address public needs, and guide the long‑term stewardship and accessibility of Nebraska’s historical resources.

• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately
• Military leave
• 156% (that’s not a typo!) state‑matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement (Depending on Agency Budget)
• Employee assistance program
• 79% employer‑paid health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Employer‑paid $20,000 life insurance policy
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Training and Development based on your career aspirations
• Fun, inviting teammates
• A safe and secure environment

At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority. Apply to join our team today!

• Provides leadership and administrative oversight for all NSHS Collections & Conservation activities, including: reference and research services; archives and library collections; 3D object and archaeological collections; digitization and digital access; and Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center operations.
• Plans, assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of professional staff, fostering their development and encouraging collaboration across departments.
• Ensures fiscal responsibility and strategic alignment of departmental activities through budgeting, planning, and prioritization in collaboration with the NSHS Finance team.
• Develops short- and long‑range plans that balance public access, responsible stewardship, and improvements to staffing, systems, and infrastructure that support sustainable operations.
• Participates as a key member of the agency’s leadership team, contributing to organization‑wide strategic planning, resource allocation, and cross‑department collaboration to advance NSHS’s mission.
• Acts as a subject matter expert on collections and conservation, providing technical guidance to agency leadership, staff, partners, and the public; advocates for collections priorities and represents NSHS in agency planning efforts, professional forums, and public engagements.

• Provides oversight and support for in‑person and online research services, digitization, and digital access to ensure collections are accessible, well‑documented, and appropriately managed.
• Ensures departmental work supports safe public access, exhibitions, and research use across NSHS facilities and platforms.

• Provides direction and oversight for the physical, intellectual, and legal stewardship of collections, including collections care, environmental monitoring, security, inventory, and rights management.
• Directs accessioning, processing, appraisal, collecting, and deaccessioning activities in accordance with institutional policies, professional standards, and applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Oversees conservation operations and infrastructure through supervision of the Conservation Center Manager.

• Provides leadership for collections‑related projects and partnerships across NSHS, including exhibits, loans, active collecting,…