About the DC History Center

Established in 1894 and located at the Carnegie Library in Downtown, the DC History Center is a community-supported nonprofit organization, which deepens understanding of our city’s past to connect, empower, and inspire. It collects, interprets, and shares the history of our nation's capital through research and scholarship, adult programs, youth education, and exhibits. We seek to do this work as a welcoming and inclusive community that fosters curiosity and nurtures civic engagement to strengthen the District for all. For more information visit dchistory.org.

About National History Day

National History Day is a national program whose core program is its competition through which students in grades6–12 choose a topic and dive deeply into the past by conducting extensive research in libraries, archives, and museums. They then present their conclusions and evidence through papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, or websites, moving through a series of contest levels–school, state, and national–where they are evaluated by professional historians and educators. Through this process, students develop skills in communication, project management, and historical thinking. More than 500,000 students participate in the program nationwide. More information about the program and its impact is available at nhd.org.

About DC National History Day

The DC History Center is conducting a comprehensive planning effort to adapt the existing DC-specific National History Day program, previously under the aegis of the National Archives, to reflect the newly adopted DC Social Studies Standards and to best support the needs of local DC educators and students.

Position Summary

To manage this outreach effort, the DC History Center seeks a part-time, temporary contractor from approximately January 16, 2024 to June 28, 2024.

This position is responsible for coordinating the DC History Center’s understanding of how best to position the National History Day as a vital program for DC students and educators that deepens understanding of our city’s past, fosters curiosity and lifelong learning, and encourages civic participation. The contractor reports to the Deputy Director.

Primary Responsibilities

National History Day (90%)

In collaboration with DC History Center staff the contractor will:

• Convene an advisory group of up to 10 people with experience of the program in DC to include teachers, school administrators, previous judges/volunteers, and parents;

• Convene a focus group of 6-8 DC teachers who have previously participated in National History Day; discuss program’s strengths and weaknesses; and outline areas for improvement

• Convene a focus group of 6-8 DC teachers who are familiar with the DC History Center, but have not previously participated in National History Day; solicit what might encourage them to participate; identify the resources or assistance they need to participate

• Conduct NHD-related outreach before, during, and after the DC History Conference (April 4-6)

• Assess logistics platforms for an online registration system that can serve judges, volunteers, students, and teachers.

• Deliver draft report summarizing findings, to include a tentative list of prior and new schools and teachers interested in participating in 2024-2025, a detailed timeline, and a work plan for implementing the program in school year 2024-2025, by mid-May

• Deliver final revised report, incorporating focus group feedback, by mid June.

General Outreach (10%)

• Contribute to Education Desk, a monthly online educator newsletter.

• Promote the DC History Center’s free teacher membership program.

• Represent DC History Center in educational partnerships such as teacher learning events held by community partners, including Teaching for Change, as applicable.

• Participate in the DC History Conference to promote the program.

Qualifications

The contractor will be an outstanding communicator, a detail-oriented and highly organized project manager, and a flexible, collaborative team player. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in and connections with DC school teachers and schools.

• Bachelor’s degree required

• DC classroom experience highly desirable

• Strong interest in public history, with focus on local DC history

• Outstanding written communication and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrated outstanding project management skills

• National History Day experience a plus but not a requirement

Scheduling

Applicants must be based in the DC metropolitan area and be available mid-January through June. While flexible, this is not a fully remote position. Hours are expected to range between 10 and 20 hours per week and are flexible. However, as the contractor will actively liaise with educators as well as DC History Center staff and partners, they should anticipate both daytime and evening in-person responsibilities. The contractor will schedule engagements and be required to visit sites around the District at times when teachers are available for out-of-classroom meetings.

The DC History Center, anchored in the Carnegie Library in Downtown, maintains a hybrid schedule, with a combination of onsite and remote work. The contractor may be required to participate in some all-staff meetings, both virtual and in person, and will represent the DC History Center at the DC History Conference, held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library (April 4-6, 2024).

The DC History Center’s central Downtown location is easily accessible from all Metro lines, but on-site parking is not available.

Compensation

The hourly rate for this contract position is $35/hour (non-negotiable). Hours are guaranteed at 10 hours per week over the course of the contract, with the maximum no more than 20 per week. This contract position is not eligible for benefits.

Applications and Inquiries

Applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume and acknowledgment of scheduling availability that matches the position requirements, at www.dchistory.org/about/ employment/. Apply by January 4th for best consideration. No phone calls, direct emails to staff, or walk-ins, please.

The DC History Center is an equal opportunity employer.