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Employment Opportunities

The Historical Society of Montgomery County has long been a standard bearer in its mission to preserve, interpret, promote and educate the public about the history and ongoing cultural story of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.  

Established in 1881, HSMC maintains two sites – its headquarters at 1654 DeKalb St., Norristown, PA and Historic Montgomery Cemetery, 1 Hartranft Ave, West Norriton, PA. Established in 1847, the Historic Montgomery Cemetery is the final resting place of five Civil War generals, over 400 veterans, and approximately 6,000 prominent and typical county citizens. The Cemetery Gatehouse includes a rentable space that includes a meeting room, a restroom, and kitchen on the first floor, and a leased efficiency apartment on the second floor.

HSMC headquarters contains an excellent collection of artifacts, unique to Montgomery County, a research library, collections and archival storage, exhibit gallery, general meeting rooms, and offices.

Executive Director

Deadline to apply: NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The Historical Society of Montgomery County (HSMC), Norristown, PA seeks a full-time Executive Director. The compensation package is negotiable depending on experience and qualifications; $60-80k with some benefits.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is the chief executive and administrator of the HSMC, and is responsible to the President and Board of Trustees for a full range of activities: identification of needs/implementation of goals; supervision of staff; management of the Historic Montgomery Cemetery; monitoring and implementation of events; motivation and supervision of volunteers; membership development; coordination of publications; financial development; general bookkeeping; website and social media development; liaison with the Society’s Board of Trustees, members, business community, and other non-profit organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership
  • The Executive Director is the chief spokesperson and primary contact for the Society, providing leadership, outreach, and support to the staff, and guidance to the Board of Trustees.
  • The Executive Director helps to formulate new ideas that will further enhance programmatic excellence and prepares a roadmap for fundraising initiatives and long-range plans for continuing financial stability.
  • The Executive Director utilizes sound judgment with respect to paperwork, legalities and best practices which are inherent with the nature of a non-profit.
The Board of Trustees
  • Identification of needs/implementation of goals. The Executive Director and the Board of Trustees establish organizational goals. The Director is responsible for the evaluation of progress on the HSMC’s 2019 Strategic Plan and making recommendations for necessary changes to meet the Society’s needs and goals.
  • The Executive Director energizes and works with the Board of Trustees, Committees and chairpersons, and (except for the Executive Committee), serves as an ex-officio member of all committees pertaining to business of the society.
  • The Executive Director is the employee representative of the Board and is accountable to the Board.
  • The Executive Director provides a bi-monthly written report of their accomplishments at each Board Meeting.
HSMC Staff & Volunteers
  • Supervision of staff. Besides its Executive Director, HSMC has an employee complement of a full-time Archivist, a part-time Archival and Program Assistant, and a part-time Administrative and Visitor Services Manager. The Executive Director is responsible for the hiring of staff, assignment of duties, supervision of work, and establishment of the terms of employment (within framework of approved complement, budget, policies and procedures).
  • Motivation and supervision of volunteers. The Executive Director encourages Society members to volunteer for events, programs and projects, and serve on committees. The Executive Director develops a climate in which volunteers will attain positive results and receive maximum support.
  • The Executive Director onboards, supervises and coordinates all staff and volunteers, including task assignment and evaluation.
The Historic Montgomery Cemetery

The Cemetery is an inactive burial ground; plots are no longer sold.

  • Management of the Historic Montgomery Cemetery. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall management and coordination of activities within the cemetery. To accomplish this, the Executive Director works with the Cemetery Committee, Staff, and Volunteers, regarding the utilization, coordination, maintenance, and security of the Society’s property and buildings.
  • The Executive Director manages the contract for the rental of the Cemetery Gatehouse and serves as the primary contact for its tenant.
Development
  • The Executive Director is responsible for identifying grants, and assisting in the gathering of information, writing and filing of grant applications.
  • The Executive Director oversees the stewardship of grant funds, and the writing and submission of all reports.
  • The Executive Director coordinates all fund-raising plans with the Board of Trustees and keeps the Board well-informed on the progress of the initiatives.
  • Along with the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director is responsible for the execution and completion of all financial campaign projects, including establishing and meeting goals.
  • The Executive Director assists the Board Development Committee with the production and distribution of the annual request for donations, as well as tracking the donations received in return.
  • The Executive Director collaborates with the Board of Trustees to ensure that all statements made to donors about the use of contributions are honored.
  • The Executive Director seeks external support from the public and develops relationships with the business community.
  • The Executive Director works with the Board to identify and solicit businesses for cash sponsorships and in-kind contributions in support of HSMC programs and events.
  • The Executive Director assists in efforts to increase the number of individual and business members in the Society.
  • The Executive Director assists Board Committees with maintaining donor and membership lists and records.
  • The Executive Director publicizes and promotes the Society’s mission and programs on and off site.
  • The Executive Director markets, coordinates and supervises the rental of the HSMC HQ and Montgomery Cemetery gatehouse meeting rooms to serve the community while earning income for the organization.
  • The Executive Director helps to generate revenue by choosing and purchasing books and other items for re-sale by the Society.
Governance
  • The Executive Director identifies, cultivates and recommends potential new board members to the Board Governance Committee on a periodic basis.
  • The Executive Director maintains electronic files as well as hard copies of all policies for the organization that have been approved by the HSMC Board.
  • The Executive Director keeps track of progress on fulfilling the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan and reports that semi-annually to the Governance Committee Chairperson.
Publications
  • The Executive Director coordinates the writing of the quarterly newsletter and is responsible for all content and editing. The Executive Director also sits on the Publications Committee and assists in the annual publication of the “Bulletin” of the HSMC.
  • The Executive Director is responsible for the preparation of promotional material including press releases, social media and web site updates.
Finances
  • The Executive Director assists the Treasurer in developing the Society’s annual budget.
  • The Executive Director is responsible for the budgeting of all fundraising events and the execution of those budgets.
  • The Executive Director seeks maximum staff and committee efficiencies regarding all financial matters.
  • The Executive Director works with the Board of Trustees’ President and Treasurer in preparation of an annual budget, Annual Financial Report and general financial planning, and annual filing of the Federal 990 and PA BCO-10. Further fiscal responsibilities include approval of bills, purchase and maintenance of necessary insurance, and routine banking.
  • The Executive Director works with the President and Treasurer to ensure that PA Sales Tax License and Certificate of Sales Tax Exemption are current.
  • The Executive Director works with the President and Treasurer to file and pay PA Sales Tax semi-annually or whenever required.
  • The Executive Director monitors the filing of payroll taxes by HSMC’s payroll service contractor.
  • The Executive Director must pre-approve the purchase of all supplies, equipment and service arrangements made by staff.
Bookkeeping
  • The Executive Director must be familiar with QuickBooks.
  • The Executive Director provides appropriate statements and forms to the 3rd party accountant.
  • The Executive Director reviews all invoices, approves bills to be paid, and generates reports.
  • The Executive Director assists the Treasurer in reconciling bank statements.
Website and Social Media
Liaison with the Society’s Board of Trustees, members, staff, and community
  • Liaison with Board of Trustees. The Executive Director is responsible for Board meeting agendas, organizing and maintaining Board minutes and records, carrying out the plans and programs of the Board in accordance with established policies, and serving as the Board’s representative with the staff.
  • Liaison with Society members. The Executive Director is to encourage members to support the programs and events of the Society. In turn the Executive Director should support member volunteer efforts. The Executive Director is to consider suggestions from members and the possible implementation of these suggestions when consistent with the fundamental objectives and policies of the organization.
  • Liaison with staff. The Executive Director must lead a professional staff and create working conditions that are conducive to maximum performance and positive employee morale.
  • Liaison with the Community. The Executive Director has regular contact with community and business leaders, civic and cultural groups, and non-profit organizations, and serves as the liaison between the Society and these community organizations. In this capacity the Executive Director must promote positive public relations. The Executive Director is encouraged torecruit new volunteers and members for HSMC from the community.
  • The Executive Director oversees the policies and procedures utilized for visitor service, collections management and exhibit preparation.
Safety and Security
  • The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that HSMC staff, volunteers, visitors, collections and facilities are safe and secure.  Any safety hazards found in the work area or reported to the Executive Director are to be corrected as soon as possible.
  • The Executive Director has the authority to summon the police and to direct anyone to leave the building who is posing a threat to Historical Society staff, visitors, volunteers, collections or property.
  • In the event of a weather emergency, the Executive Director may reduce the Historical Society’s hours of operation or close the site completely as necessary after consulting with the Board President or other member of the Executive Committee.
  • In the event of fire, flood, or other sudden, life-threatening, emergency conditions, the Executive Director is responsible for ordering the evacuation of all people from HSMC’s buildings and for alerting appropriate emergency personnel as well as the Board President or other member of the Executive Committee.
  • In the event of any accident to staff, visitors or property, the Executive Director is responsible for securing needed medical or emergency service, writing an OSHA report documenting the details, nature and witnesses of the accident, and then providing the Board President with a copy of the report.
  • The Executive Director is responsible for enforcing the Historical Society’s security guidelines, including the distribution and monitoring of keys and alarm codes to staff.
Facilities Maintenance
  • The Executive Director is responsible for keeping the physical assets of the Society in good order, such as building maintenance, system operations, and groundskeeping.
  • The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that supplies to keep the facilities and activities functioning are purchased in a timely manner.
  • The Executive Director is responsible for identifying and coordinating the implementation of short-term improvements to HSMC’s current facilities pending the final decision of long-term solutions for HSMC’s future location.
Qualifications
  • Has a 21st century vision for preserving, interpreting and promoting the history of Montgomery County, and to educating the public about the region’s ongoing cultural story.
  • Has a desire and aptitude to work with the board of trustees to update and implement a diverse and creative strategic plan.
  • Is dedicated to working in-person with a wide variety of people and interests.
  • Is flexible with respect to the changing and challenging environment, such working some weekends, some evenings, etc., which is common to historical societies.
  • Has a history of success in fundraising and development.
  • Has at least 5 years senior leadership experience with an advanced degree in Museum Management, American History or other related fields.
  • Familiarity with PastPerfect, Adobe’s Creative Cloud products, WordPress, and Quickbooks would be beneficial.
To Apply

Please send your resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements to: Board of Trustees – jobs@hsmcpa.org  

Part-time Curator

Deadline to apply: NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The Historical Society of Montgomery County, Norristown, PA seeks a part-time Curator. The compensation package is negotiable depending on experience and qualifications; $26-28/hr.

Position Summary

The part-time curator is responsible for the care of our three-dimensional artifacts. This includes accessioning, deaccessioning, preserving, conserving, and cataloging these artifacts. The curator would also take lead on changes to the existing exhibit and display spaces within HSMC.

Responsibilities
  • Provide preservation care to all three-dimensional artifacts
  • Make recommendations for the accession and/or deaccession of three-dimensional artifacts
  • Catalog and keep track of all three-dimensional artifacts
  • Create annual exhibit
  • Monitor environmental dataloggers once a month
  • Other duties as assigned such as:
    • Help with programs both on and offsite, including at historic Montgomery Cemetery
    • Contribute to social media outlets and the website
Qualifications
  • A master’s degree in art history, history, archaeology, museum studies, or similar field
  • Experience in public relations, fundraising, and business administration, preferred
  • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Experience with PastPerfect
  • Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask effectively and prioritize competing demands
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Availability to work from 1pm-8pm on Wednesdays and at least 3pm-5pm on Tuesdays
Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Ability to work in confined spaces such as collections rooms. The employee must regularly lift and move up to 25 pounds. Special vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

To Apply

Please send your resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements to: Erica Slason, Interim Executive Director – ericas@hsmcpa.org