Small Museum Association

Steele County Historical Society’s Orphanage Museum
Orphanage Museum, 540 West Hills Circle, Owatonna, MN 55060
Position: Orphanage Museum Assistant Manager
Supervisor: Steele County Historical Society, Executive Director
Salary: $16 an hour, $16,640 annually.
Job type: 

Part-time

Shift and schedule:
25 hours a week
The typical work week is Tuesday-Saturday.

Evenings and holidays as needed.

Primary locations:
Orphanage Museum
540 West Hills Circle, Owatonna, MN 55060

Cottage-11 West Hills Campus

Steele County Historical Society History Center

1700 Austin Rd., Owatonna, MN 55060

About SCHS:

A private, nonprofit, educational organization established in 1949, the Steele County Historical Society is the official historical society of the county and one of the oldest in the state. Located at 1700 Austin Road in Owatonna, MN the SCHS is home to the Village of Yesteryear offering 19 historic structures and the History Center which houses the exhibit hall, gift shop and the Zamboni Genealogy, Archives and Research Library that are open to the public and funded by private contributions. In 2022, SCHS merged with the Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum.  The Orphanage Museum preserves the legacy of the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children and the Owatonna State School. The facility was built to house orphans, dependent, abused and neglected children from 1886 to 1945.  The location later became the Owatonna State School from 1945 to 1970 which provided academic and vocational training for children with developmental disabilities.

Our Mission:

To preserve and share history today for tomorrow.

Job Overview:

SCHS is seeking a history loving Assistant Manager for the Orphanage Museum in Owatonna, MN. The Assistant Manager will assist in the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the Orphanage Museum. The Assistant Manager will work closely with the Orphanage Museum Manager to preserve and share the history of the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children and the Owatonna State School. The Assistant Manager will work Tuesday- Friday at the Orphanage Museum and Saturdays at the History Center. The ideal candidate will have experience in historical interpretation, customer service, research and critical thinking, volunteer management, and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities:

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• ·         Work closely with the Orphanage Museum Manager, to create and maintain the Orphanage Museum and Cottage-11.
  

• ·         Organizing and cataloging the Orphanage Museum collections and records.
  

• ·         Assist Orphanage Museum Manager with research requests, program creation, marketing, tours, and community outreach.
  

• ·         Work with other Steele County Historical Society staff to promote and share upcoming events and activities at the Steele County Historical Society’s three sites.
  

• ·         Assist Orphanage Museum Manager in recruiting and supervising Orphanage Museum volunteers.
  

• ·         Provide Saturday staff coverage at the History Center.
  

• ·         Degree in History, Anthropology, or Museum Studies.
  

• ·         Minimum one year in the history/ museum field.
  

• ·         Management/ supervisory experience preferred.
  

• ·         Excellent customer service skills.
  

• ·         Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  

• ·         Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
  

• ·         Creative and resourceful approach to problem solving.
  

• ·         Availability to work Saturdays with the potential to work evenings and holidays with advanced notice.
  

• ·         Ability to stand or walk for long periods of time.
  

• ·         Ability to lift 25 lbs.
  

• ·         Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, PastPerfect, and WildApricot.
  

Requirements:

This is a part-time position with a starting salary of $16,640 annually. Benefits include paid holidays, vacation time, sick/safe leave. Health and retirement plan benefits are not included.

To Apply:

To apply, please send a cover letter, your resume, and a list of three work related references to Jennifer.thiele@steelehistorymuseum.org. The application deadline is Monday, July 8, 2024.