Ross County Historical Society seeks an Executive Director.

Organizational profile: The Ross County Historical Society, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1896 to commemorate the centennial of the founding of the city of Chillicothe, Ohio, and to preserve and promote the study of the history of the city, Ross County, and the surrounding region. In its 127-year history the Society has acquired and exhibited an exceptional collection of artifacts and documents reflecting not only the city and county’s rich history but also the building of the Northwest Territory and the beginning of the State of Ohio. The museum collection is enriched by its McKell Library, which has holdings of more than 17,000 books,11,000 archival documents, and 20,000 photographs. Of six other structures, two are the Franklin House built in 1907 in the Arts and Crafts style and the Knoles log house which was constructed in the early 1820’s. More information is available at https://rosscountyhistorical.org/.

Position description: The Ross County Historical Society is seeking a dynamic Director to work with a staff that includes a full-time curator, part-time paid membership secretary/archivist, part-time volunteer librarian/historian, and five part- time paid museum docents.

Preferred educational experience: A master’s degree in museum studies, public history, or related field and five years of museum work experience is preferred. Also, knowledge/experience in the current best practices of historical building preservation and maintenance is desirable.

Minimum requirements:

• The ability to work harmoniously, collaboratively, and cooperatively with fellow employees, volunteers, the Board of Trustees, and the public.
• Possess nonprofit accounting experience including hands on budget management, budget preparation and analysis - budget decision making and reporting skills are also necessary.

• A strong background in planning, developing, promoting, and operating comprehensive year-round operations of a historical organization and its programs and services.
• Experience with museum operations, exhibit design, and collections management.
• Knowledge of museum ethics, standards, and professional practices.
• Familiarity with collections management software, programs necessary to create text and spreadsheet documents, digital tools for developing online awareness/programs for the organization, and computer and video equipment skills needed for the presentation of programs and virtual meetings.
• A strong public service orientation.
• The ability to manage varied and wide-ranging duties and have the flexibility to deal with unexpected, but necessary changes of plans.
• Being detail oriented.
• Use effective communication and writing skills.
• A willingness to relocate.

Job duties:

• Serve as the chief administrative officer reporting to the organization’s Board of Trustees.
• Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization and for implementing a progressive program for museum exhibitions, tours, research projects, collections management, educational activities, volunteer coordination and community outreach.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with the paid staff, volunteers, community, and city, county, and state officials.
• Supervise staff, volunteers, and interns and are responsible for all hiring, training, and terminations; maintain all appropriate personnel records.
• Ensure that the organization’s policies are followed and that such policies are reviewed and revised as needed.
• Manage, secure, and maintain all property and facilities of the organization, as well as the historical collections held in public trust.
• Monitor all the organization’s property for maintenance issues, and in conjunction with the maintenance committee, ensure that an effective maintenance program is followed; report all important maintenance issues to the Board of Trustees
• Oversee maintenance and repairs which includes being able to work alone, with other staff or volunteers, or by hiring and overseeing the work of contractors.
• Maintain accurate records for the collections, admissions, donations, loans, budgets, and projects.
• Ensure the museum and archives operations are following best practices and standards.
• Attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees and committees.