Oral History Project Lead (18-Month, Part-Time)

High Desert Museum; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 43,000; Part time

Job summary

High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon is seeking an Oral History Project Manager for an 18-month, part-time, non-exempt role funded by NEH. The position coordinates interviews, builds a resource library, and supports distribution of collected materials.

You will conduct around 30 interviews, manage metadata, and collaborate with a project advisory team and HDM staff to ensure documentation is accessible to the public.

Qualifications

• Education & Certifications: Bachelor's degree in history or related field.
• Experience: conducting oral history interviews or background in public history.
• Preferred: community-engaged initiatives experience.
• Knowledge of oral history practices, ethics, and methodologies.
• Awareness of biases when interviewing marginalized communities, including Native communities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Organizational skills with ability to manage milestones and deadlines.
• Technical aptitude with hardware/software; video/audio recording/editing experience is a plus.
• Preference for bilingual Spanish speaking ability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research for interviews and background context.
• Develop interview questions with project team.
• Schedule pre-interview meetings and the interviews.
• Identify interview location and needed materials/equipment.
• Conduct approximately 30 interviews.
• Oversee review/editing of transcripts.
• Develop metadata following oral history standards.
• Coordinate post-interview activities for distribution.
• Collaborate to identify resources and build a resource library.
• Digitize resources and organize into an online public experience.
• Support project coordination and team communications.
• Assist with museum-wide events and accreditations.

Skills

Oral history

Interview coordination

Public history

Bilingual Spanish (preferred)

Education

Bachelor's Degree in History, Anthropology, Folk Studies, Library Science, or related field

Job description

High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon is seeking an Oral History Project Manager for an 18-month, part-time, non-exempt role funded by NEH. The position coordinates interviews, builds a resource library, and supports distribution of collected materials.

You will conduct around 30 interviews, manage metadata, and collaborate with a project advisory team and HDM staff to ensure documentation is accessible to the public.