Posting number: GCA08022_08.26
Department: History Colorado
Job classification: NON-CLASSIFIED
Posting type: Open
Categories: Museum
SummaryHC black stacked logo .png
Two foundational things are true at History Colorado: We love Colorado. And we believe in the transformative power of history. We are a people-driven, history-centered movement building a better future. We are stronger when we do this together, building new knowledge and shared meaning that improves lives today and for our descendants.
As an agency of the State of Colorado and a non-profit organization, we are committed to serving all Coloradans. We offer access to our state’s history through enriching experiences at eleven museums and historic sites, with dynamic and relevant exhibits and activities. We work with school groups and young learners through field trips, day camps, and traveling programs. We’re also home to a free public research center, Colorado’s Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP), and the Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), the nation’s largest preservation program of its kind. We steward 15 million objects, photographs, and archival resources that make up the State’s collection, and serve tens of thousands of learners of all ages through dynamic programs.
We strive to be a place of belonging for all Coloradans. We’re committed to Colorado’s diverse communities through education, engagement, and access. We know we’re succeeding when more voices, perspectives, and experiences are part of History Colorado. It's our vision that every Coloradan feels rooted, draws strength from those who have come before us, and knows they belong in this place.
In pursuit of a more just and equitable Colorado, we embody the grounding virtues listed below as the foundation of all aspects of our work: our thinking, communication, process, outcomes, and evaluation. Our work is guided by, for, and of the communities we build, belong to, and serve, and we commit to:
Being in Community
Amplifying and Centering Voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Co-creation and Shared Authority
Humility and Reflection
Responsiveness and Flexibility
Shared Destiny
We are Colorado. Together, our generational work centers communities, deepens knowledge and catalyzes the transformative power of history.
If you are considering a career opportunity with the goal of making a difference, consider joining the dedicated people at History Colorado. We offer fantastic benefits including:
Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans: https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
BenefitHub state employee discount program
State of Health employee wellness program
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules and more.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: https://dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi.
Examples of dutiesHistory Colorado’s artifacts and original documentary materials are central to our educational and interpretive mission. The collection currently comprises approximately 225,000 artifacts, 1,000,000+ photographs, and 9,000+ linear feet of textual and archival materials. History Colorado's collection includes a wide array of artifacts reflecting more than 12,000 years of human presence in Colorado and the region. The Military Collections include materials related to the 10th Mountain Division and other Colorado-based military institutions like the Colorado Army National Guard, the Air Force Academy, NORAD, Peterson AFB, Fort Carson, etc. Please visit historycolorado.org/collectionfor more information.
This is a collaborative position which will allow us to ensure the rich personal stories in our military collections are not only well-documented and cared for but also shared in a way to maximize the context and use of the materials by the public. This position will ensure that collections are physically and intellectually preserved and available to the public for use, including in research, loans, programs, educational activities, and exploration and discovery. This includes, among many varied tasks, processing and digitization, hosting collections care programs, and coordinating volunteers collecting oral histories. The Anschutz Military Collections Specialist will be able to augment and elevate the work in Military History and ensure we reach our varied interested communities, including patrons, students, veterans, and scholars and maximize the educational potential of our military collections and ensure that Coloradans’ stories of service and sacrifice are documented and told in a variety of ways.
Specific examples of these tasks include:
Assist with organizing, advertising, and delivery mechanisms for outreach and programming to reach our veteran, active military, and other community members
Expand current efforts to rehouse artifacts in need of stabilization, including our extensive military firearms collection
Coordinating volunteers and technological equipment to capture veterans’ oral histories across the state and assisting with other collections acquisition projects
Assist the Hart Research Center with requests related to the military collections
Connect with k-12 schools and universities and assist with the creation of educational programming and field trips
Develop crowdsourcing projects to transcribe the collection
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Programming & Outreach
Develop creative and unique programs and activities to connect users to collections, including educational tools, tours, or workshops such as school field trips or school talks
Attend meetings and civic events to promote the collection such as community acquisition work with Curatorial staff
Collections Access and Stewardship
Increase and augment digital and physical collection discoverability, access, and use of the collection
Work on permanent collection projects such as storage and retrieval, outreach, problem-solving, backlog, inventories, conservation, cataloging, and other projects
Occasionally assist with collection acquisitions
Occasionally participate in the exhibit development process when appropriate
Direct and supervise volunteers and interns
Preferred Candidate can Successfully Demonstrate:
Experience in project management, meeting deadlines, and flexible multi-tasking in a fast-paced and changing environment
Effective communication, public speaking, and cooperation with other museum staff
Ability to work independently and eventually make decisions with or in absence of a supervisor
Experience with innovative and/or motivated approaches to collections outreach and providing access to collections
Excellent customer service and research skills
Strong understanding of typical collections problems, collections and provenance research, and problem-solving skills with collections objects
Knowledge of or ability to learn Colorado history and history of the American West with a focus on military history; Military History background is strongly preferred but not required
Strong computer skills and proficiency with collections management databases, metadata standards, and cataloging standards common to museums and archives, strong experience with argus preferred
Knowledge of museum collection standards and conservation practices including the standard agents of deterioration, their effects on different types of artifacts, and how to best mitigate their effects (theft, fire, water, temperature, relative humidity, pests, light, contaminants, etc.)
Minimum Requirements
Experience Only: 2 years professional experience managing and working with military collections.
Or
Education & Experience: Master’s degree in Museum Studies, History, Art History, Library Science (or related degree) with a minimum of 1 year of practical museum experience; Must be comfortable and have experience handling weaponry and military items.
Must have experience Handling, storage, and experience with large collections or high volumes of activity at a medium to large institution (or comparable experience
Special Requirements
Sometimes requires lifting heavy objects and working on ladders
May require periodic travel by car, van, and truck to storage facilities and museums throughout the state, typically for periods of less than one week in duration
May require working weekends or evenings for special programming or research access
Work from home options may be available periodically
Successful candidate must pass a criminal history background check prior to hire.
Factors to be Evaluated:
Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
Job Fit – Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred.
Essay Questions:
History Colorado staff has been working together in response to the events that happened in 2020 to discuss as an institutional community the ways in which History Colorado can advance the work of anti-racism. These grounding virtues are the result of our collective process. Please go to the link below to see the virtues (https://www.historycolorado.org/sites/default/files/media/document/2020/Anti-Racism_Grounding_Virtues.pdf) and tell us: how have these guiding principles shown up in your previous work and/or how would you contribute to these virtues in your position at History Colorado?
Describe your interest in military history and your experiences working with veterans or military personnel.
Describe your experiences working with volunteers - or how you might utilize volunteer help for collections projects.
Complete Applications must include:
Cover Letter: Required - Attached as a separate document.
Resume: Required - Attached as a separate document.
Transcript: Required if using education to meet MQs - Attached to the online application and meeting requirements as described under "College Transcripts".
Supplemental Information
This position is not part of the classified personnel system; applications will be accepted from Residents and Non-Residents of Colorado. Incumbent will be required to live in and complete work for History Colorado within Colorado.
History Colorado is committed to anti-racism practices across its institution and outlined in our grounding virtues. As such we encourage members of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) LGBTQ+ and differently abled communities to apply for this position. To see these virtues click this link: (Anti-Racism Grounding Virtues).
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application, but will be used to supplement information to the application. Part of the selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.
A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide Human Resources with an official disposition of any charges.
Fair Pay & Compensation: History Colorado is committed to pay equity. The posted salary range represents our good faith estimate for this role. Final offers are determined by a comprehensive salary analysis in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, considering factors such as a candidate’s relevant experience, education, work location and internal equity.
ADAAA Accommodations: History Colorado is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the ADAAA, we provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that applicants with disabilities can participate fully in the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation to complete the application, participate in an interview, or perform any other part of the selection process, please contact our ADAAA Coordinator at Jesus Garcia (303) 866-2136 or email Jesus.l.garcia@state.co.us. We are here to ensure you have a positive and accessible experience.
E-Verify Participation: We utilize E-Verify to verify the work authorization of all new team members. Following your job offer, you'll need to complete Section 1 of the I-9 form by your start date. Per federal regulations, we’ll also need to review your original identity and work eligibility documents within your first three days on the job. For more details on your rights and responsibilities, check out dhs.gov/e-verify.