America 250 Coordinator (Program Specialist 3) / Full-Time/ Project

Company Name: 

Washington State Historical Society

Address: 

1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA, USA
Tacoma, WA 98402

Contact Name: 

Kimberly Bowman

Phone: 

253-798-5874

Email: 

Kimberly.Bowman@wshs.wa.gov

Job Description: 

*This position is funded thru early 2027*

The hiring manager may make a hiring decision at any time.  It will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.

 

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4489701/america-250-coordinator-program-specialist-3-full-time-project

Schedule:  Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 5pm with some flexibility available.  A hybrid work schedule may be negotiable for up to two days of remote work per week.  
This position is eligible for medical and retirement.

About the Program:
The Washington State Semiquincentennial (250) Committee was established by the Washington State Legislature in 2022 to coordinate and provide guidance for Washington’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, as marked by the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Legislature appointed the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) at stewards of the 250 Committee and the commemoration more broadly, and those efforts are being managed by the WSHS’s Heritage Outreach Department.

What you will do:
You will report to the Heritage Outreach Director and will work to support Washington’s 250 initiatives by assisting in all aspects of commemorative planning and implementation through early 2027. This position will provide administrative support to the 250 Committee and work to implement activities such as capacity building efforts; educational opportunities; public programs and exhibits; and statewide engagement efforts.

A little about us:
Founded in 1891 and now into its second century of service, the Washington State Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and vividly presenting Washington's diverse and storied history. Our work illuminates the past, enlightens the present, and informs the future.
  
Our mission is to partner with our communities to explore how history connects us all. Our vision is to be the recognized destination for Washington State history. We achieve this by serving as our state's primary history educator, making history relevant to our modern lives, and supporting civic dialogue where all are welcome.
  
The Society serves individuals and organizations statewide through publications, outreach programs, curriculum, free virtual public programs, and other online services. However, the majority of the Society's interactions with the public occur at the Washington State History Museum, located in Tacoma, Washington. The Museum traditionally serves more than 80,000 annually, including more than 15,000 K-12 school children visiting the museum on a field trip.  We also welcome more than 10,000 visitors free of charge each year through a variety of access programs.
  
We are much more than a regional museum. We continually ask ourselves how we can better serve Washingtonians across our state. Our Heritage Capital Projects grant program distributes up to $10M per biennium to fund public access to history through museum facilities and historic preservation projects across the state.  Our popular public history magazine COLUMBIA is enjoyed by readers of all ages. And the Historical Society’s collections at our Research Center, along with a digital collections database, are a resource to scholars and researchers from across the nation.
  
The Washington State Historical Society is a dynamic place to work with a dedicated staff. We expand our impact by connecting with communities across the Evergreen State through exhibitions, heritage projects, workshops, public programs, publications, and conversations. Our goal is to bring history into focus in such a way that the participant cannot help but discover valuable insights from and feel deep connections with the people and events of the past.
  
We have an active commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility and are looking for team members who have a passion for professionalism and serving the public, and a desire to contribute to a positive work culture.   

 

Duties

Some of what you’ll enjoy doing includes:

  • Coordinate with the 250 Committee and associated working groups to develop and plan commemorative activities and initiatives that support the 250 Committee’s identified outcomes
  • Manage the implementation of activities and initiatives developed by the 250 Committee such as grants, programs, events, and special projects
  • Facilitate coordination and communication between participating state agencies and commissions to ensure cohesion in messaging, marketing, and implementation of various state sponsored 250th commemorative activities and initiatives
  • Manage the 250 Commemoration budget and assist with the development of legislative budget requests
  • Manage contracted consultants engaged to execute portions of the 250 Committee’s identified activities and initiatives including conducting RFPs for contracted services and working with the WSHS Fiscal Department to properly structure and execute contracts
  • As the main point person for 250 statewide, provide consultation, support, and technical assistance to all program participants, staff, and outside entities—needs may include applying the 250 themes and outcomes; collaborating effectively with local partners; engaging a broad community audience; utilizing 250 materials in marketing strategies; submitting grant applications and fulfilling grant contracts; utilizing the 250-specific website, etc.
  • Independently conduct community outreach to engage diverse communities and partners in 250th commemorative activities and initiatives
  • Manage and respond to public inquiry and input regarding the 250th through email, phone, and written communication in a timely manner
  • Develop effective communications strategies using accessible and engaging language to reach a wide and diverse audience and bring general awareness to and interest in the 250th in Washington
  • Create and disseminate social media content across multiple platforms in collaboration with the WSHS Marketing and Communications Department 
  • Manage the WSHS’s 250-specific website and statewide calendar of events
  • Initiate and lead regular planning sessions with all related WSHS departments to ensure cohesion and communication agency-wide
  • Coordinate with the Heritage Outreach Department to support local and regional historical societies and museums in their development and implementation of 250th commemorative activities and initiatives
  • Coordinate with the Audience Engagement Department to support the development of exhibits, programming, and educational materials related to the 250th commemoration

 

 

Qualifications

REQUIRED:
A combination of related education and demonstrated experience totaling a minimum of six years, meaning a bachelor’s degree and two years of experience OR an associate’s degree and four years of experience OR a high school diploma (or equivalent) and six years of experience
 

  • Demonstrated related experience should include coordinating all aspects of programs and events of various scales (such as meetings, workshops, conferences, etc.) that bring together diverse individuals and communities including planning, public communications, targeted outreach, and implementation

AND

  • Excellent project management and organizational skills that includes planning and goal setting; responsive resource allocation; successful management of overlapping project timelines; and working effectively with internal and external stakeholders
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
  • Effective formal and informal oral communication skills including public speaking/presentations, and meeting facilitation
  • Effective written communication skills with experience tailoring messages to varying audiences
  • Strong relationship management skills and demonstrated responsiveness to public inquiries
  • Ability to work independently to achieve project goals while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with 250 Committee and WSHS priorities
  • Ability to handle multiple projects, prioritize work, meet deadlines, and produce quality results on schedule with attention to detail
  • Computer literacy including strong digital file and data organization skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office; and experience with major social media platforms

PREFERRED:

  • Five years of demonstrated experience coordinating all aspects of programs and events of various scales (such as meetings, workshops, conferences, etc.) that bring together diverse individuals and communities including planning, public communications, targeted outreach, and implementation
  • Background in marketing and communications including experience with public relations, media relations, social media, multi-media production, graphic design, website management, etc.
  • Higher education degree or certificate in communications, marketing, humanities, history, anthropology, museum studies, education, or a related field of study
  • Specialized knowledge of historical societies, museums, and/or cultural organizations in Washington State

 

Supplemental Information

READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY:
Please attach the following documents in order to be considered, failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

  • A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting; 
  • A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and 
  • A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

NOTE:  
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “duties summary” section of your application in Careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and the supplemental questionnaire.  A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire regarding work experience must be reflected in the "duties summary" section of the application.  

 

NOTE:  By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.  A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the application.  Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified.  

 

Conditions of Employment: 

  • Background Check Notice:  Prior to any new appointment into the Washington State Historical Society, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

 

NOTE:  This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). 

 

Opportunity for All: 

The Washington State Historical Society celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws. 

 

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

 

Contact Information:

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at 360.407.8446 or email jobs@des.wa.gov

 

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.