Opportunities

DIGITAL HISTORY INTERN 

CCHC is pleased to offer a 2023 summer internship that will provide professional experience in the area of digital access to the permanent history collections. It is funded by an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant from the Museums for America program. The work encompasses the museum and photo archives and reports to the Director of Collections. 

Tasks to be completed: Create high resolution and derivative images of museum artifacts and historic photographs; work with a professional artifact photographer; maintain procedures to back-up digital files; edit and add new museum and photo archives images to digital platforms. The bulk of the work focuses on museum collections management, image maintenance, and some photo scanning. 

Skills required: The successful applicant will have experience in digital history, archives, or photography and will be detail oriented and able to handle historical materials with care. She/He/They should be an effective communicator, be able to work within existing processes, and interact with a variety of people. A masters degree, or nearing completion, in museum studies or digital archives preferred. Consideration will also be given to applicants with digital experience as part of advanced degrees in public history or a related field. 

Skills developed: The intern will gain experience in digital project workflows; learn how to handle artifacts and loose or bound photographs; use a variety of scanners; work with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Photoshop; learn about Chester County history and the significance of CCHCs permanent collections; become familiar with Pennsylvania’s Power Library and PastPerfect (web version); and learn about Library of Congress, Art & Architecture Thesaurus, and Nomenclature subject headings. 

Schedule: This internship is a maximum 350 hours (generally within 10 weeks) in the summer of 2023. The stipend is $15/hour without benefits. The weekly schedule may be arranged by mutually beneficial agreement. 

Application: The application includes a resume and a letter explaining the level of knowledge and experience with digital processes, and any archival, photographic, museum, or public history experience. The letter should also explain what the applicant hopes to gain from the experience. Three references are also requested. Applications for this position must be received by email no later than midnight January 27, 2023 to Ellen Endslow, Director of Collections/Curator, eendslow@mycchc.org. 

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Job Title:                             Education Coordinator

Reports to:                         Director of Education

Location:                             225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380

Salary Range:                   $38,000-$42,000 per year

Start date:                          Spring 2023

Time Commitment:         The Education Coordinator is a full-time, salaried employee who works primarily on weekdays, although nights and weekends may be required as needed.

Benefits:                              Full time, salaried employees are entitled to health benefits, including dental and vision, paid holidays and PTO.

POSITION SUMMARY

Serving as a hub for cultural enrichment, experiential learning, and stewardship of collections, manuscripts, photographs, and other invaluable archival materials, Chester County History Center (CCHC) preserves and shares Chester County’s diverse, noteworthy, and captivating stories with a wide range of audiences. Our history museum in West Chester, PA, aims to enhance community vitality and build historical literacy — the pillars of robust civic culture — through curated programming and resources that span hundreds of years.

The History Center has a robust education department focusing on programming for all ages. The Education Coordinator will be responsible for providing fun, educational, and impactful experiences primarily to school aged learners, actively cultivating schools and teachers, and updating and developing new programming to suit the requirements of CCHC’s audiences. The Education Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that students and teachers have wonderful hands-on experiences by providing excellent customer service, superb organizational preparedness, and impeccably trained and friendly program staff. Scout programs, youth outreaches, and birthday parties will also fall under the Education Coordinator’s purview.

CCHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are committed to diversity and equal opportunity in our recruitment and hiring. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply for this position.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Weekday Field Trips:  The Education Coordinator is responsible for staffing programs and being on-site to greet the schools and ensure that activities run smoothly. A major goal of this position is to increase and diversify school-age learning opportunities, which would include marketing and outreach to schools, teachers, and education professionals.

Outreaches:  CCHC is periodically asked to conduct programs at schools, libraries, and other museums and sites and the Education Coordinator is expected to ensure that these programs run efficiently and effectively.

The Education Coordinator is encouraged to create and implement new programs, using resources from CCHC’s library, collections department, and archives. Programs should be developed with Pennsylvania curriculum standards and teacher requirements in mind.

The Education Coordinator is expected to work as part of a team, including (but not limited to) the Director of Education, the Public Programs Coordinator, the Collections staff, and the Director of Development.

Assist as needed with other events and programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong interest in Pennsylvania and American history required.  College coursework in American history preferred.

Knowledge of museum education and/or secondary education a plus.

Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends.

Maintain a professional appearance and decorum.

Ability to create and deliver programs to diverse audiences. Comfort with public speaking is a must.

Reliable attendance and punctuality is expected and required, as is reliable transportation.

Must be able to work creatively and effectively as a member of a team.

Must be able to adapt quickly and seamlessly to a fast-paced and changeable client experience. Exceptional customer service skills are essential to this position.

Work can be physically demanding.  Ability to lift 40 lbs is expected.

A criminal background check, FBI fingerprint clearance, child abuse clearance is a requirement for employment.

Working knowledge of Microsoft programs like Excel, Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint, as well as familiarity with other digital storage and learning platforms a plus.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to: Jennifer L. Green, Director of Education, at jgreen@mycchc.org. No phone calls please.  Deadline for application is March 17^th.

RENTAL PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Department:                Administrative

Salary:                         $14 per hour

Employee Group:        Part-time, Non-exempt

Reporting Relationships:

Reports to the Venue Sales and Event Manager;

General Responsibilities:

On-site event management for the Venue Rental program during events that take place at CCHC;

Coordinates set-ups and breakdowns for CCHC rental events, public events, in-house events and education programs; manages monthly scheduling of Front Desk coverage for weekends and events.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Serve as the point person and customer service representative for CCHC during designated rentals and public programs, including enforcing security protocols;

Assist renter with Audio / Visual (AV) and HVAC needs;

Execute any renter and building needs, and related tasks during an event;

Open and close the buildings (Venue and Museum) based on the renter, caterer and vendor agreements;

Cover the front desk in lobby, as needed during events.

Qualifications:

Excellent customer service skills and customer service experience. Friendly yet firm about rules, with clear communication skills;

Ability to work with a wide range of people, such as coworkers, volunteers, student interns; visitors, and rental clients and guests;

Team-oriented, reliable;

Tech savvy about CCHC AV and HVAC systems, and security systems;

Excellent problem-solving skills;

Either pursuing or obtained college degree preferred.

Work Schedule:

Irregular, part-time hours based on rental and program events; averages about 10 hours / week; includes evening and weekend work for events

Wages & Benefits:

Part-time position includes no additional benefits

Hourly time sheet to be submitted to Venue Sales and Event Manager to approve.

Applications should be submitted to Cyndi Meadows cmeadows@mycchc.org

This job description is intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities and qualifications for this position. It is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform, or of all qualifications that may be required either now or in the future.     

VISITOR SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE

Department:    Administration

Salary:     Starting at $10 per hour

Reporting Relationships: Reports directly to the Venue Sales and Events Manager

General Responsibilities: Is the front-line customer service representative for CCHC; may be the only person some visitors meet at CCHC, so must always present an outgoing, positive, hospitable manner. As needed, the Visitor Services Representative will provide administrative support and handle monetary transactions for the museum, library and shop. Appropriate business casual attire.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Greets all CCHC guests in a welcoming, professional and courteous manner at the front reception desk, both in person and on telephone;
• Reviews CCHC newsletter and website often in order to answer general questions about CCHC exhibits, programs, special events, directions, website, and neighborhood;
• Provides referrals and contact info for CCHC staff; able to manage phone system and forward calls;
• Updates visitor’s spreadsheet accordingly and records visitors on tally sheet;
• Sells CCHC memberships; collects admission fees for library and museum;
• Serves customers in Museum Shop; including use of register;
• Works with CCHC staff to maintain facility safety and security protocols.

Qualifications:

• Possess excellent customer service skills; to provide a superlative customer service experience to visitors;
• Friendly and welcoming, with clear communication skills;
• Genuinely enjoys people; team-oriented; able to work positively with a wide range of people, including coworkers, volunteers, student interns, visitors, rental clients and guests;
• Good organizational skills; ability to manage multiple tasks; be flexible.

Work Schedule: Monthly work hour total varies with individual’s availability, but averages 12 – 20 hours per month; regular Saturday work hours, and some evening and weekend work for events

Wages & Benefits: Starts at $10 per hour

Position includes no additional benefits

Please apply to cmeadows@mycchc.org.

 This job description is intended as a summary of the primary responsibilities of and qualifications for this position. The description is not intended as inclusive of all duties an individual in this position might be asked to perform or of all qualifications that may be required either now or in the future