Museum Educational Assistant in Maine

The General Henry Knox Museum seeks Education Assistant
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The General Henry Knox Museum, a seasonal historic house museum in beautiful midcoast Maine, seeks a part-time education assistant. The museum, a reconstruction of the 1794 mansion built by the country’s first Secretary of War, houses an important collection of Federal Period furniture and decorative arts, as well as primary and secondary resources related to the economic development and settling of midcoast Maine. The museum has a permanent staff of 3.5 employees and over sixty active volunteers, and offers a very active range of programs, classes and events during the summer and works with schools and researchers year-round. For more information, see www.knoxmuseum.org.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the education assistant will work with the museum’s educational programming and outreach, library and database development, and with assisting researchers. One primary responsibility will be to provide support for the museum’s summer teacher institute, including doing outreach, answering phones, preparing mailings, handling teachers’ logistical concerns, assisting teachers with research projects, and assisting with program delivery. The education assistant will also be responsible for the implementation and outreach for school programs and tours, including the roll out of a major revision to the museum’s Knox Box program. In addition, the education assistant will help maintain the museum’s research library and oversee volunteers working on a database of Knox manuscript collections. The education assistant will also be expected to be able to give tours and assist in other museum operations as needed.

Applicants must have a bachelors degree with a demonstrated background or strong interest in history, education, library and archival science, museum studies or other related field. A high level of self-motivation, initiative, and organization is required. Experience with PastPerfect, Revolutionary or midcoast Maine history, or current educational practices are all pluses. The position is normally 3 days a week (24 hours), with occasional extra hours for special programs (including some evenings and weekends), particularly in the summer months. Due to the sometimes physical nature of the position, candidates must be comfortable climbing stairs and be able to lift boxes of documents.

To apply, please send a letter describing your interest and experience with museums and/or nonprofits, a resume and three references to Education Search, The General Henry Knox Museum, PO Box 326, Thomaston, ME 04861 or by email (Word documents or pdf’s only, please) to info@knoxmuseum.org. Preference will be given to applications received before January 27.