Educator/Interpreter | Washington, TX

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Overtime Status

Job Posting

JOB OBJECTIVE: Under the supervision of the Executive Director, this position performs routine (journey-level) educational and living history interpretive services and technical assistance work at the Barrington Living History Farm, Washington Townsite at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site and occasional education and interpretive services at the Star of the Republic Museum and Fanthorp Inn State Historic Sites of the Texas Historical Commission (THC). Work involves planning, developing, and implementing a full range of 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1.       Provide living history demonstrations to the public and for education programs in historic costumes (period correct clothing) daily.  Living history demonstrations include but are not limited to domestic skills such as hearth cooking demonstrations in all weather; textile work such as sewing, knitting, mending, weaving and spinning; gardening, weeding, orchard care; and cleaning.

2.       Create and implement innovative interpretive programs at the site.

3.       Greet visitors, provide site orientation, and conduct tours.

4.       Improve and modify existing programs, events, and exhibits as required.

5.       Maintains historic site grounds and assists with livestock care.

6.       Provides routine facility maintenance on historic and reproduction structures.

7.       Research, develop, and deliver new interpretive programs for diverse audiences both on-site and for outreach.

8.       Perform research related to the site’s collections, exhibits, and cultural/natural resources as needed.

9.       Monitor and review programs for policy compliance and adherence to site goals.

10.   Routinely evaluate the quality and impact of programs.

11.   Participate in volunteer recruitment, training, and scheduling.

12.   Prepare reports and maintain records, particularly regarding site programming.

13.   Develop collaborative relationships with relevant education stakeholders.

14.   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.

15.   Write articles for newspapers, newsletters, and publications, print or electronic, for all audiences.

16.   Speak to public and private groups to promote interest in the site and museum.

17.   Use social media and new media as interpretive tools.

18.   Assist with the supervision of interns and volunteers from time to time, particularly in the absence of the Lead Interpreter or Site Manager.

19.   Assist in site marketing efforts by creating advertisements, print materials, and website/social media posts to promote programs and special events.

20.   Assist with maintenance and housekeeping, as needed.

21.   May train others.

22.   Develop and maintain training materials (instructional manuals, videos, etc.) as needed.

23.   Adhere to an established work schedule with regular attendance.

24.   Follow all THC safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

26. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in education, history, museum studies, or 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;
• The ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure;
• Valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and ability to drive a state vehicle; and
• Required to travel up to 15% of the work period.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in education, public history, museum studies or closely related field.
• Certification in interpretive techniques from a nationally recognized institution.
• Experience planning, implementing, and managing a museum school tour education program.
• Experience recruiting, training, and managing volunteers for education programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of American history, primarily 1820-1870;
• Knowledge of State and local regional history;
• Knowledge of current methods and strategies of interpretation;
• Knowledge of fundamentals of cultural resource management;
• Knowledge of historic farming practices of the mid-19th century;
• Knowledge of historic foodways preparation and mid-19th century lifeways;
• Knowledge of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS),
• Effective verbal and written communication, human relations, and organizational skills;
• Effective critical thinking skills;
• Skill in conducting and documenting historical research;
• Skill in developing curriculum;
• Skill in developing evaluation techniques and criteria for interpretive, educational, and outreach programs and events;
• Skill in public speaking, planned or extemporaneous, in front of diverse audiences;
• Skill in working with diverse groups and various age ranges;
• 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 working with livestock such as cattle/oxen, swine, fowl, or other associated farm animals;
• Skill in 19th-century handcrafts and domestic skills such as hearth cooking, sewing, weaving, gardening, etc.;
• Ability to conduct multiple programs in a day’s time, with long periods of standing and walking and physical labor;
• 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 self-motivation/cooperative decision-making and to work and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail;
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to maintain flexibility and work with frequent interruptions and changing priorities;
• Ability to work as a member of a team;
• Ability to adapt successfully and quickly to change and deliver quality results in a timely manner;
• Ability to plan, organize, and work independently, as well as within a team environment;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, OR LICENSURE:

Must have or obtain a valid Driver’s License and Defensive Driving Course to be able to operate state vehicles.

Learn More and Apply: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=00055261&tz=GMT-06%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago