Historian II

The Montana Historical Society seeks an energetic and talented person for the position of Historian. If you believe that understanding the past is imperative to creating the future, you may find this position is a good fit. At the Montana Historical Society, we are striving to make our work environment a supportive and engaging place to foster work/life balance.

This position participates in the development of a wide range of multi-disciplinary projects and products for the Society which interpret and preserve Montana’s and the West’s social, political, and physical history. Duties include but are not limited to:

·      Conducting extensive and complex research on historical sites.

·      Writing interesting, engaging, and accurate interpretive text that is accessible to the general public. The Historian will primarily write interpretive signs for National Register properties but may also be asked to write text for websites, curriculum materials, community guidebooks, books, newspapers, and magazines.

·      Evaluating and critiquing historical materials for accuracy, appropriateness, and absence of inappropriate bias.

·      Assisting with the production of public programming, anniversaries, and awards, including but not limited to planning and guiding historical tours, the annual MT History Conference, Heritage Keeper Awards, and the Gallery of Outstanding Montanans.

·      Engaging in public outreach at MHS, in collaboration with museums and cultural institutions across the state, and on social media.

·      Creating topical public history projects.

·      Answering questions for the general public, as well as for museum and historical society staff at institutions around the state. 

·      Maintaining the Historicmt.org website. 

 Qualifications

·      Knowledge of Montana and Western history, its patterns, themes, literature, historiography, authors, research sources, journals, organizations.

·      Knowledge of architectural history, heritage properties, and historical places.

·      Experience in creating complex, multi-disciplinary projects.

·      Excellent writing and communication skills, especially the ability to make complex ideas accessible to the general public.

·      Knowledge of historical research procedures, including work within both traditional written and oral sources, data gathering techniques and methods, historical analyses, and evaluations of historical biases.

·      Ability to quickly find and synthesize many different kinds of historical information, to see patterns, and to draw logical conclusions, including about sources’ accuracy and biases.

·      Excellent customer service and enthusiasm for working with the public and diverse constituents.

·      Excellent public presentation skills.

·      Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships. 

·      Ability to work well with a team, both as a leader and as contributing member.

·      Commitment to public history (and an understanding of how it differs from academic history).

Must have a master's degree in history, public history, preservation, Native American Studies, American Studies, or related field, or commensurate experience. 

3 years' experience.

Finalists will be requested to take a writing test. 

Salary $24.90 - $26.40 hourly

Closes midnight Thursday May 18, 2023

To apply complete a State of Montana Application and attach a cover letter.

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