Education Curator

Do you love history, especially local history? Are you able to make that history come alive as you teach it and present it to other people? If so, consider applying to work at the Churchill County Museum as the Education Curator. This is a part-time, regular position which receives prorated annual leave (5.6 hours per month) and sick leave (7 hours per month). The position also qualifies for PERS retirement. Weekly hours are typically four days per week, from 9 AM to 5 PM, with an average of 28 hours per week. The incumbent must work one to two Saturdays per month. Other weekend and evening work will be necessary in order to accommodate the needs and programs of the Museum.

The duties include preparing and presenting educational programs to child and adult patrons of the museum, creating interactive exhibits that aid in understanding history, training and overseeing volunteer docents, performing research on historical topics, and performing outreach to schools, teachers, and the general public.

If this opportunity appeals to you and you are qualified, submit your application online at www.churchillcounty.org/careers by 10 AM on April 23, 2025. Be sure to attach a résumé to your online application.

Consider joining the Churchill County team! The county pays 100% of the retirement contribution to PERS on your behalf (33.5% over and above your wage, equivalent to $14,700/year). AND you will not have Social Security taken out of your paycheck, which results in an additional 6% take-home pay (equivalent to $2,600/year). 

An eligible list will be created for the position based upon position-related criteria. The list will be maintained for twelve months and may be used for future openings. Inclusion on the eligible list is not a guarantee of a current or future job offer.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a technical class responsible for the development and implementation of a variety of educational and entertaining exhibits and/or programs to be viewed by the public. This class is distinguished from the Museum Director in that the latter is fully responsible for supervision and management of museum operations.This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Develops and coordinates educational and outreach programs, including tours, school visits, workshops, lectures and classes; selects topics and designs, plans, outlines and assembles the programs; conducts research on relevant topics and searches for artifacts, photographs and documents; advertises and conducts the programs.
• Receives, inventories, catalogs and shelves or stores all new acquisitions according to professional standards.
• Assists in the acquisition, preservation and restoration of artifacts; ensures that such items are properly stored, transported, inventoried and protected during display.
• Determines items needed to fabricate exhibits; researches vendors and other methods of material acquisition; prepares purchase requisitions and follows-up to ensure the proper delivery of required materials.
• Researches and produces exhibitions and/or events, activities or manages special projects including, but not limited to, researching topics and background information, writing, and publishing brochures and related materials, etc.; stages exhibitions and/or events; plans programs to support community events.
• Prepares or obtains artwork, graphics, informational text and other materials required to complete specific exhibits.
• Observes public reaction to exhibits and makes changes to enhance educational value or visual appeal as required; interacts with, explains museum exhibits, and may conduct tours as required.
• Greets and assists general public, customers and staff in person, over telephone and by email; answers inquiries; receives and attempts to resolve special inquiries; provides guidance on museum programs and exhibits.
• Monitors visitors during facility hours of operation to ensure orderly conduct; reports unsafe conditions; opens and closes facility as required.
• Crosstrains and performs functions of other Museum staff as required.
• Assists in the development of communication plan for exhibits, events and/or projects; performs outreach through communication with other organizations in an effort to publicize exhibitions, events, activities and/or projects.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Museum's service to its customers by offering suggestions and participating as an active member of a team.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
 
Education and Experience
Two (2) years (60 semester units) of college-level coursework, with major coursework in history, archeology, or a closely related field; AND two (2) years of museum operations experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
 
Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of effective customer service.
• Local community history.
• History, arts, humanities, photography, natural history and other subject areas represented in museum exhibits.
• Principles and practices of education for various age groups.
• Research principles and techniques related to museum work.
• Techniques for educating a broad range of age and school types.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Record keeping principles and practices.
• Principles and techniques of preparing effective written informational or educational materials.
• Techniques for dealing with the public, in person and over the telephone.

 Skill in:

• Development of curriculum materials.
• Developing, scheduling and administering programs and visits to the Museum.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
• Preparation of clear and concise reports.
• Organizing own work, setting priorities and meeting critical deadlines.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or Museum goals, objectives and activities.
• Making effective presentations to groups.
• Performing research.
• Establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with staff, coworkers, and the public. 

Required Certificates, Licenses and Registrations

• None.

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment; stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength and agility to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate over the telephone and in person.    

Conditions of Employment

1. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
2. New employees are required to submit to a background investigation and if hired for a safety-sensitive position, a drug/alcohol screen.  Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug/alcohol screen (if applicable). 
3. Churchill County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.  All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment.  Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.

Salary : $2,600 - $14,700