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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Historical Officer

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

HistoryResearchMuseums & ArchivesGovernmentCultural Heritage

🎯 Role Definition

As a Historical Officer, you will be the custodian of our organization's past, responsible for conducting rigorous historical research, managing and preserving archival collections, and bringing history to life for a diverse public audience. You will serve as the subject matter expert on all historical matters, providing critical context and narrative that informs our mission, programming, and strategic direction. This position requires a blend of scholarly expertise, curatorial vision, and public-facing communication skills to make history accessible, relevant, and engaging.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Research Assistant or Associate
  • Archival Technician or Assistant Archivist
  • Museum Educator or Docent
  • Graduate-level Internships in Public History

Advancement To:

  • Senior Historian or Chief Historian
  • Director of Archives or Head of Collections
  • Chief Curator or Director of Exhibitions
  • Cultural Resources Program Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Heritage or Historical Consultant
  • Policy Advisor (Heritage & Culture)
  • University Lecturer or Professor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive, in-depth historical research on topics pertinent to the organization's mission, utilizing primary and secondary sources from archives, libraries, and digital repositories.
  • Author, edit, and peer-review a variety of historical materials, including scholarly articles, detailed administrative histories, interpretive reports, and content for public-facing websites.
  • Develop, manage, and maintain the organization's historical and archival collections, overseeing acquisition, appraisal, arrangement, description, and preservation activities.
  • Design, research, and curate compelling long-term and temporary museum exhibitions, from initial concept development to final installation and evaluation.
  • Write clear and engaging interpretive text for exhibits, publications, digital media, and educational materials to make complex historical topics accessible to a broad audience.
  • Provide expert historical guidance and consultation to senior leadership, government agencies, and external partners to inform policy, planning, and strategic initiatives.
  • Develop and deliver engaging public programs, including lectures, workshops, presentations, and guided tours, for diverse audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
  • Respond to complex historical and genealogical research inquiries from the public, media, academic community, and internal stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.
  • Oversee the digitization of historical collections, ensuring adherence to best practices for digital preservation, metadata creation, and online accessibility.
  • Conduct and document oral history interviews with key individuals and community members to capture and preserve institutional memory and untold stories.
  • Ensure all historical activities and projects comply with relevant federal and state historic preservation laws and regulations, such as Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
  • Represent the organization as a historical subject matter expert at professional conferences, symposia, and public meetings.
  • Supervise and mentor junior staff, interns, and volunteers, providing training and guidance on research methodologies and archival practices.
  • Manage budgets and timelines for specific historical projects, including research, exhibitions, and collections care.
  • Evaluate the historical significance of structures, landscapes, and districts, preparing documentation for historical registers or landmark designations.

Secondary Functions

  • Support grant-writing efforts by providing historical narrative, project justification, and supporting documentation to secure funding for historical projects.
  • Collaborate with the communications team to develop and promote historical content through press releases, social media, and other marketing channels.
  • Perform condition assessments of historical artifacts and documents, coordinating with professional conservators for necessary treatments.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of the organization's collections management policies and emergency preparedness plans.
  • Assist in developing K-12 and university-level educational curricula and resource packets based on the organization’s historical collections and research.
  • Participate in interdepartmental teams to ensure historical accuracy and integrity across all organizational programming and communications.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Historical Research Methods: Expertise in locating, analyzing, and synthesizing primary and secondary source materials.
  • Archival Management: Proficiency in archival theory and practice, including appraisal, processing, arrangement, and description (DACS).
  • Collections Management Software: Hands-on experience with museum or archival databases such as PastPerfect, The Museum System (TMS), or ArchivesSpace.
  • Historical Writing & Editing: Ability to produce clear, well-structured, and compelling historical narratives for both scholarly and public audiences.
  • Exhibit Curation & Design: Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, and install engaging and informative historical exhibits.
  • Public Speaking & Presentation: Skill in delivering dynamic and informative lectures, tours, and presentations to diverse groups.
  • Digital Preservation: Knowledge of best practices for digitizing historical materials and managing digital assets.
  • Oral History Techniques: Training and experience in conducting, transcribing, and archiving oral history interviews.
  • Grant Writing: Experience in researching and writing successful grant proposals for humanities or preservation-focused projects.

Soft Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills: Exceptional ability to evaluate evidence, identify biases, and construct well-supported arguments.
  • Excellent Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.
  • Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously from conception to completion.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to research, writing, and collections care to ensure accuracy and integrity.
  • Collaboration & Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work effectively within a team and build strong relationships with colleagues, partners, and the public.
  • Public Engagement: A passion for making history accessible and relevant, fostering curiosity and dialogue with the community.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's Degree in History, Public History, American Studies, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

A Master's Degree or Ph.D. in History, Public History, Museum Studies, or Archival Science is highly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • History
  • Public History
  • Archival Science
  • Museum Studies
  • Cultural Resource Management
  • Historic Preservation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of professional, post-degree experience in a historical society, museum, archive, government agency, or cultural resource management firm.

Preferred:

Demonstrated experience in curating exhibitions, managing archival collections, publishing historical research, and securing project funding through grants is highly desirable. Experience supervising staff or volunteers is a plus.

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