Explore Hudson's History!

 

TO APPLY: please send a cover letter and resume to director@hudsonoctagonhouse.org. 

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Position will remain open until filled. 

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Hudson Area History Connection

 

TITLE: Assistant Director

 

REPORTS TO: Executive Director; President of the Hudson Area history Connection, Personnel Committee, and Board of Directors

 

JOB PURPOSE: The Assistant Director role supports leadership and administration of the Octagon House Museum in collaboration with the Executive Director, Board, and Committees. This position serves as lead for Museum visitor services, which includes the gift shop, marketing, and community outreach. This role is a key collaborator of a support-driven management team.

 

TERM: Annually renewable contract beginning January 1. This position is 40 hours weekly, with two weekends monthly during museum open seasons.

 

SCHEDULE:

 

From 1st weekend in May to 3rd weekend in October the Museum complex is open to visitors on Friday through Sunday for visitors from 11AM to 4PM, the first 3 Saturdays and Sundays in December from 11AM to 4PM, and special events, such as Hot Air Affair, and private group tours outside of open hours are as determined.

 

Summer exhibition (May to October season) is developed beginning in November. Summer exhibition information is provided to interpreters in April.

 

Winter exhibition is developed beginning in June with installation beginning the last Sunday in October and finalized by early November. Winter exhibition information is provided to interpreters by mid-November.

 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR DUTIES:

 

60%: Leadership of Museum Visitor Services

- Chair Marketing, Gift Shop, and Special Events Committees with regular scheduled meetings, communication, and regular Management Team reports.

- Collaborate with management and committees to enhance, expand and maintain community connections such as local partnerships, social media presence, and regional tourism presence.

- Collaborate with management and committees to create and administer an annual board-approved visitor services plan, including press releases, promotion of museum programming and events, newsletters, creation of flyers and procures, and radio/TV interviews.

- Oversee Gift Shop in collaboration with committee, which includes maintenance of researched/appropriate inventory, online sales, display and promotion.

 

40%: General Site Support

- Collaborate with Director and board to recruit, train, schedule, supervise and support interpreters, volunteers, and committees.

- Assist with development and implementation of museum exhibition, special events, and public programming, which includes occasional costumed tours and offsite programs.

- Support committees when necessary with decoration, collections management, research, maintenance, and educational and interpretive programming.

- Act as a public representative of Octagon House Museum and the Hudson Area History Connection.

 

 

STAFF PROCEDURES:

 

1. Octagon House Museum Complex should be sufficiently staffed with one greeter/receptionist, one gift shop worker, one supervisor, and one guide/interpreter when open for tours. Special Event and Open House activities should be scheduled with one greeter/receptionist, one gift shop worker, and one supervisor.

2. A monthly schedule is developed and maintained by staff listing reservations, activities, and events with volunteers and staff notified of shifts.

3. Assume a leadership role in recruiting and supervising volunteers and ensure they are trained. Pass potential volunteer names and contact information to appropriate Committee Chairs based on areas of interest.

4. Greet visitors, conduct tours, lead interactive activities, discussions, and demonstrations centered on historic life at the Octagon House and in the Hudson area from the 1850s to the 1950s

5. Assist with assigning guides/interpreters, demonstrators, and docents to visitors and visiting groups.

6. Record admissions and revenues in daily logbook.

7. Monitor and maintain the appearance of the Museum complex. Report maintenance issues to the Director, President/s, or Caretaker/s.

8. Dress code for Special Events and Interactive activities; please dress in Period appropriate apparel, while business casual clothing should be worn during regular opening hours.

9. Ensure Staff and House are ready to receive visitors promptly for the 11am admission time.

10. Maintain good communications with the Director, President/s, and Board of Directors.

11. If unable to report for duty, coordinate a replacement with staff and volunteers. Contact Director, Asst Director, President/s, or Caretaker/s if someone is needed to open and lock up the Museum.

12. Meetings with the Director, President/s, and/or Personnel Committee should be held to address any concerns.

 

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

 

· Excellent interpersonal, time management, and presentation skills.

· Degree in History and Museum Studies. Equivalent education and/or experience will also be considered. Management experience preferred.

· Experience and creativity to develop and maintain visitor services programs, connections, and procedures.

· Proven understanding of public history, collections, and museum site best practices.

· Experience with Clover, Wix, and Past Perfect

· Interest in and willingness to continually expand and enhance knowledge of the Octagon House, Moffat-Hughes family, and Hudson area history from the 1850s to the 1950s.