Museum Director

$36,000 with housing provided

Full-time, year-round

Mahaska County Historical Society

The Mahaska County Historical Society manages the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum in Oskaloosa, IA. Situated on c. 25 acres, the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum is a historic site that interprets 18 historic structures, 2 modern display barns for the agricultural collection, and a museum building with genealogy library for the public. Every May through September, the site is open for daily visitation and hosts special events and programs. It also manages a rental venue at Bradbury Hall.

The Museum Director (Director) is responsible for the leadership and management of the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum (Museum) according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors (Board). The Director is expected to provide leadership by supporting the Board in fulfilling the mission of the Museum, and to provide oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Museum.

In carrying out these duties, the Director will have leadership and oversight responsibilities for membership and marketing, fundraising, programming and collections management, volunteer management, financial planning, and risk management.

Primary duties and responsibilities

Leadership

• Support the Board in fulfilling to mission of the Museum
• Identify, assess, and inform the Board of internal and external issues that affect the Museum
• Foster effective team work between the Board and the Director and between the Director and staff
• In addition to the President of the Board, act as a spokesperson for the Museum
• Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the Board and jointly with the Board as appropriate
• Represent the Museum at community activities to enhance the Museum’s community profile

Fundraising, membership and marketing

• Develop good relationships with community groups, organizations, donors and the Board to facilitate successful fundraising initiatives that meet the Museum’s annual and long-term financial goals
• Research funding sources and apply for grants
• Oversee the development of fundraising plans and write funding proposals to support fundraising objectives
• Plan and execute strategies to promote and increase Historical Society membership and Museum attendance
• Create promotional materials for Museum activities and work with community press outlets to increase awareness of the Museum

Operational planning and management and rental venue

• Provide day-to-day operational oversight including opening and closing buildings for visitors, reporting any maintenance needs, etc.
• In conjunction with the Board and appropriate committees, develop annual priorities and projects which advance the mission of the Mission
• Draft policies for the approval of the Board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies; review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate
• Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of special projects
• Coordinate rentals with clients for Bradbury Hall including taking reservations, receiving payments, giving tours of the venue, working with the treasurer to return security deposits, and fielding questions from clients

Programs, exhibits, and collection management

• Design, execute, and evaluate programs at the Museum, at minimum, during the open season
• Coordinate the K-12 field trip program during the open season
• Design, research, and develop innovative and creative exhibits to enhance the visitor experience
• Ensure all museum standard collections policies are in place and reviewed regularly, including procedures for accessioning and deaccessioning artifacts, monitoring storage and display conditions, and striving to protect and preserve the Museum’s collections according to industry standards

   

  Human resources and volunteer management

• Determine full, part time and volunteer staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery and report these needs to the Board
• Recruit and train volunteers for specific needs of the organization and implement all necessary training and policies in conjunction with their volunteer duties
• Be a team member and coach or mentor as needed to cultivate positive working relationships with contract employees, staff, and volunteers to achieve mission-fulfilling goals

Financial planning and management

• Work with the Finance committee to prepare a comprehensive Museum annual budget for the approval and adoption by the Board
• Work with the Finance committee to secure adequate funding for the operation of the Museum
• Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board
• Administer the funds of the Museum according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization

Community relations and advocacy

• Communicate with Museum stakeholders on a regular basis to keep them informed of the on-going work of the Museum
• Communicate with the community, civic leaders, local media, and Museum stakeholders whenever changes in level of service or hours of operations might be impacted by Museum activities, programs, or special events
• Establish positive working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, elected officials and their staff, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the Museum

Risk management

• Identify and evaluate risks to the Museum’s staff, management, members, volunteers, property, finances, goodwill, and image and execute measures to contain or mitigate the risks (coordinating with appropriate committees as necessary)
• Ensure that personnel, member, donor, and volunteer files are securely stored and privacy/confidentiality is maintained

Working conditions

• This year-round position is located on-site at the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum, home of the Mahaska County Historical Society in Oskaloosa, IA
• The Director is expected to work a regular 40 hour week Tuesday-Saturday May through September with the option to change to Monday-Friday from October through April
• The Director will be expected to work evenings, weekends, and overtime hours to accommodate activities such as Board meetings, Museum events, and attend or participate in a variety of public and special community events throughout the year

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor degree or equivalent work experience is preferred

  Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Knowledge of nonprofit leadership and management principles and practices
• Knowledge of current museum industry trends and standards
• Experience with financial management
• Knowledge of historic preservation policies, practices, and procedures
• Knowledge of cultural resources management
• First aid/CPR certification (if not certified at hiring, training will be arranged and required)

Proficiency in the use of technology for:

• Word processing
• Database management
• Financial management
• Email
• Internet
• Social media
• Sales software

Personal characteristics

The ideal candidate for this position is:

• Personable
• Detail oriented
• Organized
• Effective communicator
• Relationship builder
• Dedicated
• Passionate about nonprofits and mission-driven organizations
• Creative
• Problem solver
• Diplomatic
• Self-starter
• Strategic thinker

Benefits and perks

2 bedroom apartment that includes:

• 1 large attached garage stall
• On site laundry
• Paid utilities (electricity, water, high-speed internet, trash collection, heating/cooling)

If you are passionate about local history, dedicated to preserving heritage, and building personal relationships in a thriving community, join the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum in Oskaloosa, IA, to share Mahaska County’s rich history.

Submit a resume, cover letter, and three (3) references to [email protected]

Applications will be received until November 30, 2023

Snapshot of Oskaloosa

Oskaloosa, Iowa, recently received the Great Places and Thriving Community designation through the state of Iowa for its vibrant arts and culture community and its proactive and innovative efforts to provide housing and economic opportunities for its citizens. Oskaloosa is home to several national and international companies including Musco Sports Lighting, Clow Valve Company, Oskaloosa Food Products, and more. It has the 5^th largest certified site for economic development in the state of Iowa and is home to dozens of locally-owned small businesses. It is also home to William Penn University and the Mahaska Health Partnership. Its vibrant historic downtown is one of the oldest Main Street Programs in the state of Iowa with shops and services available for residents and visitors alike. Mahaska County maintains 19 county parks with hiking, boating, and other outdoor recreational activities and is the location for Lake Keomah State Park.

Oskaloosa is also an easy drive to larger metro areas. It is located 28 miles (30 minutes) from Ottumwa and 70 miles (60 minutes) from Des Moines.