History Center Project Assistant
Position Title: History Center Project Assistant
Location: Wisconsin Historical Foundation, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin
Reports to: Coordinator for Research & Historic Asset Management
Type of Employment: Full Time Employee, Term of 3 years
Compensation: $20/hour with benefits.
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, evening, and weekend availability as needed.
Number of Openings: 2
Reporting to the Coordinator of Research & Historic Asset Management, the position supports the research, documentation, acquisition, and interpretation of Society collections, and other collections necessary for the forthcoming Wisconsin History Center project. The Assistant will also collaborate with the Society's Division of Library, Archive, and Museum Collections projects.
The Assistant is responsible for a variety of collections and administrative tasks including research, historic asset documentation, rights coordination and tracking, and acquisition activities as required. The Assistant will collaborate with Society employees across the Division of Library, Archive, and Museum Collections, as well as other Society divisions, to fulfill these responsibilities, throughout the development phases of the History Center project.
Overview
- Nurtures collaboration, respect, and communication across the organization, providing support to staff across teams including the Historical Foundation, and Society's Public Services, Library, Archives, Curatorial, Programs & Outreach.
- Encourage and contribute to an inclusive, rewarding, and inspiring workplace, where constant learning cultivates a sense of belonging across the Foundation and when working with Society employees.
- Assist with research including, but not limited to, archival research; compilation of biographies, chronologies, object studies; and documentation of historic assets in collections management systems.
- Assist with drafting and producing correspondence, loan forms, and other materials related to collections development and acquisitions. Contribute to the maintenance of physical and electronic collections files.
- Assist the Wisconsin history center workgroups by attending meetings and helping to maintain gallery asset matrices.
- Assist in the physical evaluation and documentation of historic assets.
- Values an agile working style that supports staff needs, strategic pursuits, and sustainable workloads while modeling empathy, clear communication, and the benefits of changing practices and behaviors in collections management.
- Administrative support to the Coordinator for Research & Historic Asset Management.
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Enthusiasm for history, storytelling, historical collections, education, and learning.
- Demonstrate knowledge of research skills and abilities with archival and historic collections.
- Knowledge of best practices and familiarity with collection or digital asset management programs and/or other inventory management systems.
- Familiar with standard office practices and systems including Microsoft Office software suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams). Familiarity with Zoom and Asana, a plus.
- Excellent writing, communication, and organization skills and attention to detail. Knowledge of correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
- Basic understanding of a/v equipment, (video projectors, digital audio recording devices, photo, and video cameras), and image and video editing software applications.
- Typical academic qualifications Master's Degree in Information & Library Science, Public History, History, or related field; OR a combination of a Bachelor's Degree and workplace experience.
Application Details
This is a full-time project position with the Wisconsin Historical Foundation, Inc. and offers an excellent benefits package for a term of 3 years. Hybrid work schedule available.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Erika Flaherty at erika.flaherty@wisconsinhistory.org, or mail them to Wisconsin Historical Foundation, ATTN: Erika Flaherty, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706.
Direct inquiries to Erika Flaherty at erika.flaherty@wisconsinhistory.org or (608) 261-9590.
The Wisconsin Historical Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.