Jobs and Internships

The Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity is accepting applications for the Dorothy W. Sanborn Summer Internship Program. Dotti Sanborn was an accomplished writer and teacher in Bridgton, and was a mentor to her students into their adulthood. Her life was a continual mingling of her many arts talents (quilting, painting, drawing) and her background in natural history (she wrote weekly columns in several papers). Dotti also had a keen interest in local and regional history.

Founded in 2005, the Rufus Porter Museum features the history of a remarkable 19th century New Englander, Rufus Porter (1792-1884).  Porter is well-known in the folk art community for his landscape murals and miniature portraits, however, Porter was more than just a painter.  He was the founding publisher and editor of the magazine Scientific American as well as inventor, writer, teacher and more.  

Open seasonally from mid-June to mid-October, the Museum’s campus consists of two historic buildings – the Webb House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Nathan Church House, which contains murals in situ in the style of the Rufus Porter School. The museum offers changing exhibits, lectures, classes, and special events that embrace Porter’s use of both art and science, oftentimes interchangeably.

Internship Guidelines

The focus of each internship will take into consideration the intern’s interests and educational requirements in conjunction with the needs of the Museum. The intern will create a project of his or her design, with Museum approval, that is aimed at an educational goal. The intern will work under the supervision of the Executive Director. In addition to work on a special project, the intern will give tours of the Museum, man the Museum Store, assist with public events and programs, and participate in the general operations of the Museum. This position offers a hands-on opportunity for an intern to experience working on all aspects of a small museum. At the completion of the internship, an exit interview will be conducted to discuss initial goals, the results of his or her project and overall experience, and recommendations for future projects and/or goals for the Museum. The intern will present his or her finished project both orally and in written form.

Qualifications 

Graduate student or college junior or senior majoring or minoring in an appropriate field or have a demonstrable record of interest in a field connected to the mission of the Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity.

HOW TO APPLY

Email resume/CV, cover letter and three references (at least one academic) to:

Karla Leandri Rider, Executive Director, at director@rufusportermuseum.org

DATES: June 1^st to mid-August (dates are flexible)

AVAILABILITY: Maximum of 30 hours per week, Wednesday through Saturday

PAY STATUS: $12.15/hour

HOUSING: N/A

The Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport Maine seeks a full-time education/interpretation intern for summer 2021. This internship will provide hands-on work experience in the daily operations of a medium-sized museum. The intern will actively participate in the Museum’s front line. This internship will include professional development field trips to four other Maine museums (in-person or online) and participation in an intern cohort.

Internship Duties:

• Lead 45-minute guided walking tours
• Monitor visitors and welcome guests
• Research, write, and pilot a new guided walking tour
• Assist with programming (in-person and/or online)
• Submit articles for e-news
• Conduct evaluations with visitors
• Contribute posts and videos to social media
• Attend weekly intern meetings and intern field trips to other museums

Internship Length and Dates:

• 8 weeks
• June 16 - August 10, 2021 (some flexibility if needed)
• July 4^th is a work day
• Work some nights and weekends
• Usually scheduled 35-40 hours/week

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an undergraduate program or graduate program in museum studies, history, public history, education, material culture, or related field
• Coursework in history and/or education
• Interest in museums and/or maritime history
• Experience working with children
• Experience working with the public
• Excellent computer skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Gmail, Facebook, Zoom, YouTube, and Instagram
• Familiarity with PastPerfect a plus, training available

Compensation

• $4,100 stipend paid in biweekly installments
• PMM will provide on-site housing for a small fee

Review of applicants will begin February 15th, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcripts (official or unofficial) and one letter of recommendation as .pdfs to Jeana Ganskop at jganskop@pmm-maine.org.

This internship description is based on the expectation that the 2021 season will be based on a hybrid model where PMM either offers guided walking tours of the campus or some of the exhibits are open for self-guided tours and programming is offered both online and in-person. All museum access and programming will be dynamic and will react to changes in the pandemic and the associated guidelines issued by the state and this internship will adapt accordingly. This is a guaranteed, grant-funded internship.

The Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, Maine seeks a full-time digital education intern for summer 2021. This internship will provide hands-on work experience in the online education operations of a medium-sized museum. The intern will actively participate in the Museum’s online initiatives, beginning with providing assistance, with responsibilities increasing over the course of the summer. This internship will include professional development field trips to four other Maine museums (in-person or online) and participation in an intern cohort. Ideally this internship will be located onsite, but can be conducted remotely if necessary.

Internship Duties:

• Assist with weekly live digital programming
• Research, write, and lead live digital programming such as Jr. Adventurers or Peek into Paintings (see PMM Facebook page for examples)
• Contribute to planning for new education website
• Create opportunities to engage new audiences
• Submit articles for enews
• Conduct evaluations with visitors or participants
• Contribute posts and videos to social media
• Attend weekly intern meetings and intern field trips to other museums
• If the intern is able to be onsite:
• • Monitor visitors and welcome guests
  • Assist with and/or lead onsite programming

Internship Length and Dates:

• 8 weeks
• June 16 - August 10, 2021 (some flexibility if needed)
• July 4^th is a work day
• Work some nights and weekends
• Usually scheduled 35-40 hours/week

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an undergraduate program or graduate program in museum studies, history, public history, education, material culture, or related field
• Coursework in history and/or education
• Interest in museums and/or maritime history
• Experience working with children
• Experience working with the public
• Excellent computer skills
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Gmail, Facebook, Zoom, YouTube, Instagram, and Photoshop elements
• Familiarity with PastPerfect a plus, training available

Compensation

• $4,100 stipend paid in biweekly installments

Review of applicants will begin February 15th, 2021 and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcripts (official or unofficial) and one letter of recommendation as .pdfs to Jeana Ganskop, education director, at jganskop@pmm-maine.org.

This internship description is based on the expectation that the 2021 season will be based on a hybrid model where PMM either offers guided walking tours of the campus or some of the exhibits are open for self-guided tours and programming is offered both online and in-person. All museum access and programming will be dynamic and will react to changes in the pandemic and the associated guidelines issued by the state and this internship will adapt accordingly. This is a guaranteed, grant-funded internship.

Pejepscot History Center in Brunswick, Maine, seeks a self-motivated, forward-thinking, part-time Development Manager to work with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees in strengthening and expanding PHC’s overall fundraising and development program to advance its mission and 10-year vision.

In addition to day-to-day responsibility for development activities, the Development Manager will help plan long-term funding and marketing strategies and build sustainable philanthropic relationships for PHC’s three museums: the Pejepscot Museum and Research Center, the Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum, and the Skolfield-Whittier House.

Specific responsibilities include improving member retention and attracting new members, developing a broader annual fund strategy and working on other targeted campaigns, growing PHS’s business sponsorship program, assisting with grant writing and marketing, working on special fundraising events, producing reports, managing the constituent database (Little Green Light), and working with relevant board committees.

Qualifications: BA or BS degree in communications, business, marketing, or humanities/related fields with relevant experience; advanced degree helpful. Prefer 3-5 years’ experience in non-profit development, communications, or marketing roles. Strong interpersonal, organizational, project management, written/verbal skills required. Facility with databases; familiarity with Little Green Light a plus. Interest in local history. Willingness to work as part of a small team.

Non-exempt position reports to the Executive Director and is approximately 20-24 hours per week year-round; some hours can be off-site. Limited evening and weekend hours required for programs and events. Salary commensurate with experience; expected starting pay is $20-24/hour. Eligible for pro-rated leave time after six-month probationary period.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, short writing sample, and the names and contact info of three professional references to director@pejepscothistorical.org. Position open until filled. FMI: http://pejepscothistorical.org/about-us/job-opening.

Castine Historical Society (CHS) is seeking a qualified art historian with proven experience to curate and design an exhibition focused on the archives of the Maine sculptor, Clark Fitz-Gerald (1917-2004) which was donated to CHS by the family. The exhibit will be augmented with a selection of sculpture borrowed from community members and Maine museums. The exhibit budget is $15,000 which includes all exhibit expenses. The exhibit will run from June 6 – October 10, 2022.To view the RFP, please visit castinehistoricalsociety.org. Proposals are due by November 6, 2020.

The Abbe Museum is hiring for the Director of Collections & Research, a highly visible position within the fast-paced Abbe Museum environment with three main areas of focus—collections care & management, exhibitions, and research. The Director of Collections & Research also functions as project manager on applicable grants and liaises directly with tribal communities in the Wabanaki homeland, now New England and the Canadian Maritimes.

For full description and application information, please view the posting on the Abbe website here:

https://www.abbemuseum.org/work-at-the-abbe

Woodlawn Museum, Gardens & Park in Ellsworth, Maine seeks an Executive Director to provide dynamic leadership and to direct policy making, planning, organization, staffing, and operations. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to refine and implement a progressive program for the Museum’s capital campaign and fundraising, exhibitions, collections management, educational activities, and community outreach. For the complete job description visit our website, using the following link:

https://woodlawnmuseum.com/new/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Woodlawn-Exec-Dir-Search-1.pdf

Pejepscot History Center in Brunswick, Maine, seeks a full-time, year-round Museum Services Manager.

PHC owns and operates the Pejepscot Museum and Research Center, the nationally-recognized Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum, and the Skolfield-Whittier House. The History Center has been in existence since 1888 and has more than 100,000 items in its local history collection. It has owned its two historic house museums, open from May-October and used occasionally in the off-season, since the early 1980s.

The Museum Services Manager position provides a diverse range of ways to be engaged with and have an effect on a busy, three-museum and local history organization. The MSM  assists with day-to-day operations of the organization, including opening and closing the main site, greeting and assisting guests, providing assistance to researchers, managing the collection and collections database, recruiting and managing volunteers and docents, assisting with developing and conducting public programming (including online programming), assisting with exhibit development and construction (including online), scheduling and coordinating group tours, conducting tours in the Skolfield-Whittier House as needed and training others to do the tour, coordinating with Chamberlain Museum seasonal site managers, updating the website and Instagram account and other communications tasks, and other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Ideal candidates for the position are detail-oriented and organized self-starters. They must be outgoing, welcoming, patient, creative, willing to juggle multiple and diverse tasks, and have a good sense of humor. Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and technological skills are required. A background in historical research is required; direct experience working in museums or with collections and/or with museum visitors is strongly preferred. At least a bachelor’s degree in the humanities, along with a strong interest in the questions and issues involved in local history, is required. A willingness to serve as needed in a small organization is essential.

This non-exempt position is full-time, year-round at approximately 37.5 hours per week and reports to the Executive Director. The daily schedule shifts during the “visitor season” (May-October) to accommodate increased public open hours. Some evening and weekend hours will be required year-round as part of the weekly schedule and/or for programming and special events.

Compensation and Benefits: Starting pay range is $18-22/hour, dependent upon experience. Full-time employees receive monthly healthcare stipend based on average market cost of moderate-coverage plan in Maine. Leave benefits include 12 holidays and, after six-month probationary period, paid time off to be used as desired. Reviews take place at 6 months, and then annually.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, short writing sample (one page or less), and contact information for three professional references to director@pejepscothistorical.org. Accepting applications through Friday, August 28. No phone calls, please.

The Maine State Museum is recruiting qualified candidates for a Curator of Archives position. This is professional services work involving curatorial oversight of, and involvement with, Maine State Museum archival collections, especially regarding the development, management and interpretation of collections. It includes aspects of  collection documentation, collections care, recommending accessions and deaccessions, assisting in grant writing, making public presentations, writing interpretive and descriptive texts, assisting as directed with the archival holdings of other state entities, participation in staff and professional meetings, assisting with exhibit development, and working with colleagues and the public. Salary is  $40,768.00 - $55,182.40 plus benefits. Additional details and application information are at:   https://mainebhr.recruiterbox.com/jobs/fk0qsi1/

The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center in Livermore is seeking its next Ethel “Billie” Gammon Fellow to join its summer staff. College students and graduating high school seniors enrolled in a college starting this fall are welcome to apply. The selected individual is a member of Norlands summer staff team and receives a $1,500 stipend that can be used towards education expenses. The Summer Fellow gains valuable experience in living history education, museum operations, and other topics that may relate to his/her interests. This professional development opportunity is designed to honor Norlands founder’s endless enthusiasm for sharing American History using living history methods. Applications are due by May 1, 2020. The application form may be found on Norlands' website at https://norlands.org/internships-at-norlands.html or by emailing norlands@norlands.org.

Candidates must complete an application form and submit an essay of 750-1000 words describing what inspires them about Norlands and their goals for being named a Billie Gammon Fellow. Applicants must describe how their experience at Norlands will help them with their college/career pursuits. Applicants do not necessarily have to major in history or teaching. One letter of recommendation is also required. Final candidates will be invited for interviews in early May. 

To receive the full award, the fellow is expected to work for the Norlands for 90 hours (approximately two days/10 hours per week) during mid-June through August. The fellow’s primary role is to assist with tours of the Washburn family mansion and other historic buildings on site and help in the gift shop during open tour days. The fellow also has the opportunity to work on a project of interest such as conducting research, writing a grant application, inventorying or digitizing the museum’s archives, creating a social media plan, or planning an event. The fellow will round out his/her experience by sharing a summary of their project with Norlands key staff and volunteers. The Billie Gammon Fellowship is an advantageous training opportunity designed to give students the chance to tailor a project to his/her interests and broaden their horizons while learning new skills, all while experiencing the joy and magic of Norlands. 

For more information, visit www.norlands.org, email norlands@norlands.org, or call 207-897-4366.

ABOUT THE ETHEL “BILLIE” GAMMON HISTORY EDUCATION AWARD 

In 2010, on the first anniversary of Billie’s passing, the Norlands Board of Trustees established the Ethel “Billie” Gammon History Education Fund to honor her bottomless enthusiasm for sharing American History by providing support in her name for "learning through fun." In 1954, Billie started her work at the Norlands with the restoration of the library and went on to develop a world-renowned museum education program based on living history methods. She believed that through real-life experiences in the past, children and families would come to appreciate the everyday struggles of the people who lived in the late 1800s in rural Maine. She took great joy in seeing visitors to the living history museum that she founded "get it" – that history education could be fun and that lessons from rural life in the 19th century are timeless; to feel what it was like to sit on the hard school benches, to know the day started and ended with family chores and responsibilities, and to understand the rural Maine philosophy of everyone pulling together. 

ABOUT THE NORLANDS 

Washburn-Norlands Living History Center is a non-profit museum dedicated to preserving the heritage and traditions of rural life in Maine’s past, celebrating the achievements of Livermore’s Washburn family, and using living history methods to make values, issues and activities of the past relevant to present and future generations. The 400-acre property is comprised of a preserved 1828 Universalist meeting house, the Washburn’s 1867 mansion with attached farmer’s cottage and barn, an 1883 granite library, a saphouse, and a restored 1853 one-room school house. Maine school children continue to visit Norlands today as part of the Maine history curriculum.