Job Openings

POSITION TITLE

Director

LOCATION

Dillon, Colorado; Summit County
Candidate is expected to live in Summitt County or an adjacent county.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Summit Historical Society (SHS), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is one of the premier historical organizations in the state of Colorado and enjoys a leadership role within Summit County (towns of Silverthorne, Dillon, Keystone, Frisco, Breckenridge, and Blue River) as the most engaging historical organization within the County. SHS is a collection of museums, artifacts, and sites dedicated to preserving the stories, history, and legacy of the people of Summit County. SHS covers the fascinating changes through the years of the area that include the Ute people, mountain men (trappers), miners, homesteaders, women and teachers, skiers, and outdoors enthusiasts. Through exhibits, over 8,000 artifacts, photographs, and more, Summit County’s important past remains alive for future generations. SHS aims to preserve and collect, provide education and interpretation, and engage the community in the rich history of Summit County.

The Director will lead this organization, be an integral part of the community, and help take the organization to new levels. SHS has a strong donor base, an active and working Board of Directors, and enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers.

For more information, please visit: https://summithistorical.org

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Director will report to the President of the Board or to an alternate Board member designated by the President.

When our staff is fully developed, we expect the following individuals and Committees to report to the Director:
• Manager, Programs and Education
• Manager, Collections and Exhibits
• Administrative Assistant
• Standing Committees (Board members and/or volunteers)
o Community Engagement
o Membership
• Special Committee (Board members and/or volunteers)
o Fundraising (At some point, we will consider making Fundraising (FR) a standing committee. Special committees at that time might be for special FR events.)

The following Standing Committees will report to the Board of Directors:
• Endowment
• Executive
• Finance
• Nominating
• Strategic Planning

BASIC FUNCTION

The Director is a full-time, year-round position performing a variety of administrative, event management, and fundraising duties in support of the SHS vision, mission, and values. This individual will be active and engaged in establishing revenue sources, increasing membership and donations, developing applications for local, state, and national grants, promoting community engagement activities, and preserving and managing historic facilities, maps, photographs, and artifacts.

ESSENTIAL JOB ELEMENTS AND RESPONSILITIES

• Developing a strategic direction and plan with the Board, and effectively communicating that strategy to the staff and to volunteers.
• Providing day-to-day supervision and direction of staff and volunteers.
• Participating in the development of budgets and financial plans and effectively communicating financial performance on a regular basis to the Board throughout the year.
• Overseeing payroll, expense management, accounting, loans, and donation recording and tracking.
• Planning, tracking, and forecasting various revenue sources, and creatively thinking of new ways to add additional revenue options.
• Providing oversight and participating in the writing of local, state, and national grants.
• Assisting in planning and coordinating special events and programs. Note: several programs will be driven and managed by Board members and volunteers, such as but not limited to: Vintage Baseball Game, Dillion Reservoir Boat Tours, Textile Camps, among others; these will simply require knowledge and oversight of these special events. Others may require the Director to take full ownership in creating, managing, staffing, and executing the event, such as historic talks, Santa in the Barn, among others.
• After a short period of time next summer, taking over the management and leadership role for the vendor display at the summer Friday Dillon Farmer’s Market. Historically the President and Manager of Collections have managed and operated this weekly event, and it will be expected that the Director will assume this role.
• Creating, assisting, managing, and/or executing as required any special one-off programs that help increase membership, revenue, and/or branding.
• Overseeing the collection and coordinating loans, accessions, and deaccessions using computer database applications PastPerfect and Omeka.
• Following established museum practices in day-to-day handling of artifacts.
• Opening the museum for tours and school groups.
• Actively participating in collection management and storytelling about Summit County, Colorado history.
• Overseeing and participating as required for Education Programs for school age children, managed and run by Volunteers.
• Developing or updating procedural guidelines as required.
• Communicating effectively and regularly with the Board, staff, volunteers, donors, and respective community leaders.
• Contributing when and as appropriate to the weekly email communique, “Weekly Happenings” which will be developed and managed by the President.
• Assisting Board members with developing the Board, Donor Appreciation, and Annual Meeting agendas, and participating in these meetings as required (approximately 8-9 Board meetings per year).
• Limited local or regional car travel may be required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION

• Minimum of five (5) year’s work experience, ideally with at least one (1) year experience in museum management or practices, non-profits, fundraising, and/or related history organization.
• At least two (2) years’ experience in supervising staff and/or volunteers, with demonstrated skills in effective communications and offering feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to generate revenue for nonprofits through membership, donations, and/or grants.
• Experience in public speaking and making presentations; comfortable speaking in front of various size audiences.
• Working experience in completing grant applications, tracking receipt of grant funds, and expenditure of grant awards is desirable. If no experience, a willingness to be engaged in it and learning the process would be a strong plus.
• Ideally working knowledge of PastPerfect and Omeka database software (museum management applications). If none, a demonstrated willingness to learn and become knowledgeable and proficient in their use.
• Has some experience in writing Policy and Employee Handbook materials.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and QuickBooks
• Fluency in additional languages, especially Spanish, is a plus.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, ideally in Museum Studies, History, Business, Human Resources, or related field.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
• A proven ability to network and make personal relationships.
• Dependable and flexible. Note: Work hours will vary depending on the museum hours, special events and fundraising activities and will require some evening and weekend hours.
• One with a sense of urgency and a commitment to achieve.
• A high energy, results-oriented, self-starting leader who leads by example.
• Highly organized, with the skills to lead a team from strategy through execution, with a hands-on and participative management style.
• Ability to work independently as well as a team member or leader.
• Proven administrative skills and attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Has creativity in new ideas and new ways of doing things.
• A friendly and open individual who is perceived as credible, competent, and trustworthy.
• A proven leader who is a student of the business, gets involved, communicates throughout, and shares in success. A team-oriented person who gets “buy-in” from all appropriate parties.
• Willing to perform reasonable manual labor with some physical demands such as 1) lifting and carrying museum objects; 2) handling large, bulky, and awkward objects; 3) setting up and deconstructing of exhibit pedestals and artifacts, chairs, tables, partitions, tents, booths for meetings, classes, community events and exhibits; 4) shoveling snow from the museum sidewalk and steps; and 5) occasionally climb ladders.
• Brings the highest level of personal and professional integrity. One with exceptional business ethics and sound judgment.

PERSONAL REFERENCES
One professional and one personal reference will be requested.

SALARY

The SHS Board will offer a salary commensurate with the applicant’s experience.

For further information, or to send resumé, please contact:

Sally Queen
President, Summit Historical Society
Physical Address: 403 LaBonte St., Dillon, CO 80435
U.S. Postal Service Mailing Address: P.O. Box 143, Dillon, CO 80435
Telephone: 972-467-9561
Email: