Museum Technician

Description:

Under supervision of the ISM Associate Director of Education (AD-Ed), and in collaboration with the National History Day (NHD) organization and in association with its Illinois regional leaders, the Museum Educator History (Museum Technician 1) primarily functions as the coordinator for the state-wide NHD in Illinois affiliate program. Utilizing a network of educators, collaborators, partners, and sponsors, the NHD in Illinois Program Coordinator will organize and present high-quality experience for students and teachers participating in annual contests on the local, regional, state, and national levels.

This position is also secondarily responsible for assisting the Museum's education section staff with the development, planning, and delivery of adult, family, and school programs held at the Illinois State Museum, online, or at outreach events.

National History Day is a yearlong academic program for 4th-12th grade students centered around historical research interpretation, and creative expression with the mission of "Influencing the future through discovery of the past." NHD's core program is its competition in which students in grades 6-12 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 where they are evaluated by professional historians and educators. Students typically conduct research between September and March, depending on the timeline of the local, regional, and state competitions. The national competition is held in June. NHD's affiliates are the backbone of the program, serving the teachers and students in their respective areas.
Museum staff are impelled to engage in a regular cycle of professional development to maintain competence and currency in their areas of expertise or responsibility; and participate in relevant professional organizations.
Each staff member is expected to create work that is visible to the residents of Illinois; work in a team environment across geographic locations and disciplines; perform at a level that reflects national standards and best practices of an accredited museum and brings state, national, and/or international recognition to the Museum; follow all relevant state and federal laws; and abide by professional museum ethics. Staff are encouraged to promote the activities of the Illinois State Museum Society (a not-for-profit membership organization chartered independently but recognized in the state statutes to support the research and educational programs of the Illinois state Museum).

Job Responsibilities

1. The NHD in Illinois Program Coordinator has the following duties and responsibilities:

• Develop connections and maintain relationships with school districts and public schools, private schools, and home-school programs to promote value, establish teachers as sponsors for the program, and increase overall participation.
• Develop fluency and be prepared to assist educators in locating professional development opportunities and resources to support their efforts to teach research skills and project applications (papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, or websites), including the NHD® site.
• Develop fluency and be prepared to connect students with known and lesser-known reference resources (including national, state, and local agencies and cultural organizations).
• Create and maintain database of educators, regional representatives, and event coordinators to disseminate History Day-related information readily and methodically.
• Communicate regularly with NHD® organization and other affiliate coordinators for best practices, training resources, and new ideas.
• Develop and distribute marketing and promotional materials (including press releases).
• Prepare and submit reports (operational and financial) as required or requested.
• Develop, create, and maintain informational Illinois History Day website (linked from NHD® website).
• Assist with planning and logistics of regional competitions; and provide instruction and training for coordinators, judges, and volunteer staff.
• Function as Event Planner of the annual Illinois History Day State Competition and oversee planning, development, and logistics for either on-site or virtual execution (including recruitment of judges and volunteers; and provide instruction and training for coordinators, judges, and volunteer staff.
• Serve as on-site “day-of” Coordinator of the Illinois History Day State Competition event.
• Plan Illinois’ participation in the NHD® national contest, assist student delegation with travel and mentorship, direct program activities, and oversee volunteers.
• Collect and analyze evaluation feedback from various stakeholders that results in action items to improve program quality, create equitable experiences, and expand reach.