Research Historian

American Association for State and Local History; Bismarck (ND); On-site; USD 58,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

State Historical Society of North Dakota is seeking a Research Historian to join the Audience Engagement & Museum Department. You will research and connect the agency’s collections with exhibits and publications, and present to diverse audiences.

You will work with Tribal Nations and media, write informative labels and blogs, and help craft engaging programs and tours as a primary collections representative.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in history, public history, museum studies, or related field, plus three years of museum curator experience.
• Understanding of museum procedures and collection management policy.
• Proven public speaking experience for tours, media interviews, or videos.
• Three years of demonstrated success writing exhibition text or labels.
• Experience with research papers or genealogy.
• Proficient in Proficio or similar collections database.

Responsibilities

• Research and enhance information about the agency’s collections, including provenance, use, history, and story of objects.
• Collaborate with cross-departmental teams to connect collections with exhibits and publications.
• Serve as a history ambassador, give presentations, and engage public groups.
• Write agency blogs, articles, and develop short video stories about collections.
• Work with Tribal Nation representatives during consultations and NAGPRA-related duties.
• Participate as a member of the museum collection committee.
• Serve as a North Dakota historian for staff and public questions.

Skills

Public speaking

Research

Collections research

Genealogy

Proficio

Education

Master's in History

Tools

Proficio/CRM

Job description

As the Research Historian, you will join the team of the State Historical Society of North Dakota’s Audience Engagement & Museum Department in a position reporting to the Head of Curatorial Services. This is a rare opportunity to join a dynamic museum collections team.

If you love research and working with the public, this is the perfect position for you! You will conduct research using museum and archival collections to meet the diverse needs of our audiences, including agency staff. Through in-depth research, you will create meaningful connections to the agency’s collections by enhancing database records and linking related materials throughout the State Historical Society's collections. If you enjoy public speaking, you will have opportunities to provide dynamic, engaging behind-the-scenes museum collections tours, give public presentations, and serve as the primary collections representative for media inquiries and stories. You will also work closely with a cross-departmental team to develop engaging exhibits and publications by providing knowledge and stories that relate to selected artifacts.

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Research and enhance the information and understanding of the agency’s collections, including provenance, use, history, and story of objects.
• Work collaboratively with a cross-departmental team to connect museum collections with organizational projects such as exhibits and publications.
• Serve as a history ambassador. Give presentations and work with public groups to meet their needs related to collections information.
• Write agency blogs, articles, and develop short video stories about collections items.
• Work with Tribal Nation representatives during consultations and research requests. Assist with NAGPRA related duty of care procedures as needed.
• Serve as a member of the agency’s museum collection committee.
• Serve as a North Dakota historian for staff and public questions.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master’s degree in history, public history, museum studies, or related field, plus three years of experience as a museum curator or similar.
• An understanding of museum procedures and collection management policy.
• Proven experience in public speaking related to providing tours, media interviews, videos, or other related areas.
• Three years of demonstrated success in writing exhibition text and/or labels.
• Demonstrated experience with research papers or genealogy.
• Proficient in Re:Discovery Proficio or a similar collections management database.

Preferred Qualifications

• An in-depth knowledge of North Dakota history.
• Understanding of state government policies and procedures related to cultural resources, abandoned property, and records management.
• Knowledge of NAGPRA regulations and consultation with Tribal Nations.

About Team ND

“Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

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Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State Historical Society does not provide Sponsorships.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.