Public Programming Coordinator

Position Overview:  The Public Programming Coordinator is tasked with creating, organizing, executing, and evaluating the programs and educational experiences for the Wilton Historical Society’s constituency. This role will work to create strategic programmatic collaborations with local and regional institutions, and grow regional connections within the school system and home school community. The primary focus is on ensuring that the mission of the organization to connect, engage and educate all who would look to the past to shape the future is being appropriately completed through the Society’s public offerings.

Terms of Employment: Full Time exempt, 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Occasional evening, early morning, and weekend hours for programs and special events. Reports to the Director of Wilton Historical Society.

Salary & benefits: $50,000-$52,000 annual salary based on candidate experience. Paid time off determined by total length of employment by the Society as described in the Wilton Historical Society Employee Handbook.

The Society budgets for staff professional development. Funds for development opportunities can be made available by request and/or by the suggestion of the Director.

Key Responsibilities:

Program & Event Planning and Facilitation
Educational classes, lectures, and workshops are vital to the organization’s efforts to be a community resource. The Public Programs Coordinator will develop, plan, and execute programs for diverse audiences by:

• Working with the Director and Programs and Education Committee to create and schedule programs, including on-site in person, virtual, and traveling programs
• Drafting program descriptions and other external communications in promoting the Society’s public offerings
• Managing the programming budget by tracking expenses and income, and submitting invoices, acquiring and organizing supplies
  • Collaborating with the Director and Development Associate to identify opportunities for donations or sponsorships from community partners to support programs and program expenses
• Arranging and managing volunteers and paid program facilitators for programs, field trips, and events
• Coordinating with authors, lecturers, presenters, etc., including arranging for A/V needs, introducing and moderating discussions.
• Communicating with staff and volunteers as to the setup, breakdown, and cleanup requirements for programs
• Working with local schools to plan and schedule field trips and in-class experiences
  • Coordinating with the Director to determine cost of school programs and facilitating payment
• Leading programs, field trips, in-class visits, tours, etc., as needed and when appropriate
• Cultivating relationships with local and regional organizations to expand and enhance collaborative programming opportunities
• Tracking program attendee numbers, and creating procedures to receive and analyze attendee evaluation
• May oversee part-time and seasonal staff and interns supporting programs

Exhibitions and Collections
The Society’s extensive and diverse permanent collection is one of the key assets in connecting public audiences. The Public Programming Coordinator will utilize the permanent collection in these efforts by:

• Working with the Director and/or Curator and Collections Committee to organize the object database and retrieve objects from storage for programs when appropriate
• Coordinating with Director and/or Curator on upcoming exhibitions to plan the visitor experience in exhibitions, including developing, manufacturing, and installing audience interactives (both digital and tactile)
• Developing programs and experiences that support and expand topics covered by the exhibition
• Assisting the Director and/or Curator in overseeing volunteers working on collections and exhibit focused projects as needed.

The above descriptions of tasks and responsibilities are not exhaustive and not meant to be inclusive of every task or responsibility that may be required or assigned by management.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• 1-3 years experience in an education and/or specifically museum education a plus. Interest in history is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Job requires frequent personal interactions with donors, volunteers, board members, and members of the Society’s public constituency.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google G-Suite required.
• Strong technology skills and computer literacy.
• Familiarity with donor management software required, knowledge of Little Green Light a plus.
• Experience with Canva, photoshop, or equivalent design software a plus.
• A sense of humor, and the ability to flow with a fluid, public facing, work environment.
• Highly organized with ability to multi-task and adapt to changing priorities within organization.
• Ability to work independently and show initiative in identifying additional opportunities outside the immediate scope of a project.

Wilton Historical Society is an equal opportunity employer. WHS does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification.

Apply for this job:

 Contact:  Email résumé and cover letter to:   [email protected]