Museum Interpretive Resources Specialist

Ford’s Theatre Society is hiring a Museum Interpretive Resources Specialist to join its team. The position is full-time and based in Washington, DC.

Ford’s Theatre Society values and is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and working environment. Ford’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ford’s offers a dynamic working environment steeped in culture and history along with a robust benefits package including highly subsidized health insurance, 401(k) contributions, and generous paid leave policies.

The primary responsibilities of the Museum Interpretive Resources Specialist are responsible for engaging a variety of audiences with historical content by developing, managing, and maintaining the interpretive resources of Ford’s Theatre, both physical and digital, in accordance with priorities developed by the Deputy Director of Education Programming and in alignment with the institutional short – and long-range goals. While a member of the Education Department, the Interpretive Resources Specialist frequently works cross-departmentally and with the National Park Service and Marketing and Communications department to create interpretive resources.

All Ford’s Theatre Society employees are required to actively participate in the Society’s ongoing efforts to become an anti-racist organization. These efforts include staff-wide conversations, new programming, development of new resources for staff and audiences, and an expectation that all staff will keep themselves informed of new resources and trends in the field of anti-racism and DEAI and how they can be applied to their own work on a day-to-day basis.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manage vision, strategy, and implementation of interpretive resources, including:
   1. Creating and maintaining an editorial calendar of digital content which includes but not limited to social media posts, articles, online exhibits, videos, and educational curriculum content to further the expand our historical resource content on the FTS website and other platforms as appropriate, in coordination with the Marketing and Communications team.
   2. Work with the Deputy Director of Education and the Director of Education on the development and maintenance of online exhibitions and collections on the FTS site and external sites ensuring that they are representative of the complex history of the Ford’s Theatre site, civil war history, and our diverse audiences.
   3. Leads effort in the development of printed and online interpretive resources including handouts, student museum guides and playbills, presentations etc. for education department programs.
   4. Collaborate with the Director of Education and Deputy Director of Education on ideas for research and then follow through to conduct research and develop a range of exhibits, programs and resources for students, teachers, and the general public.
   5. Identifying and building relationships with promising partners, in accordance with FTS long range goals, and in consultation with the Education team.
2. Working closely with Communications and DEI Director staff to ensure that all digital content aligns with the Digital Strategy, the evolving Interpretive Plan and institutional DEI goals and initiatives
3. Supports the development of FTS and National Park Service staff training centered on the Interpretive Plan.
4. Providing editorial guidance for historical content used in institutional publications, exhibitions, and social and digital media.
   1. Supporting Patron Services Team to respond to visitor and staff inquiries concerning historical and related subjects.
5. Creating content for and facilitating both in-person and online events including, historic site museum tours, virtual field trips, author talks, summer teacher institutes and other programming as needed.
6. Maintaining interpretive resource-related program budgets, including income, expenditures, and any related grant information requests, in coordination with the finance and development departments.
7. Tracking access and impact of assets across platforms and assisting development department with fundraising materials, as needed.
8. Collaborate with coworkers in the execution of program administrative tasks as it pertains to coordinating historic site visits, summer teacher institutes, and the completion of duties and assignments to ensure steady and on-time execution of processes related to our programs.
9. Other duties, as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in the humanities, museum studies, digital communications, or related field.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• High level of engagement with new developments in multimedia solutions, technologies, and user interface designs, especially e-learning and digital humanities platforms.
• Knowledge of standard museum methods and best practices.
• Knowledge of United States history, the Civil War or Abraham Lincoln’s presidency a plus, but not required.
• Must be available to work flexible or extended hours as needed to help meet individual, departmental, and organizational goals.
• Proven track record of producing multiple projects on time, working independently, and communicating progress to internal and external audiences.
• Experience with Google Analytics and search engine optimization a plus.
• Knowledge of html and related coding languages, as well as design programs like InDesign or Photoshop.
• Collaborative and diplomatic team player with strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• Energy, enthusiasm, initiative, and innovative spirit.

EXPERIENCE:

• Three years of related experience required; experience with physical or digital collections management, exhibit development and/or digital humanities preferred.

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:

• This position may occasionally provide educational mentorship to interns or other part time staff positions.

SALARY: Approximately $51,000 – $56,000 per year

SPECIAL NOTE
Ford’s Theatre Society has a mandatory vaccination policy for all employees. The policy is designed to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

TO APPLY
Please send cover letter and resume to nmitchellthornton@fords.org.