Community Programs Coordinator

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle

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Organizational Background

Located in Doylestown, in the heart of Bucks County, PA, the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, operated by the Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS), are two historic concrete castles that celebrate the life and legacy of Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930), American archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramicist and scholar.

The Mercer Museum, one of Bucks County’s premier cultural attractions and a Smithsonian affiliate, features both local and national seasonal exhibits as well as a collection of over 50,000 pre-Industrial tools. This permanent collection offers visitors a unique window into pre-Industrial America and is one of the world’s most comprehensive portraits of American material culture.

Fonthill Castle was home to Henry Chapman Mercer and served as a showplace for his collection of tiles and prints. Fonthill Castle features Mercer’s renowned, handcrafted ceramic tiles designed at the height of the Arts and Crafts movement.

It is the mission of the Bucks County Historical Society to educate and engage its many audiences in appreciating the past and to help people find stories and meanings relevant to their lives—both today and in the future.

Description

The Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS) is seeking an energetic, positive, detail-oriented team player who enjoys community service and museum program planning to join its team as a full-time Community Programs Coordinator.

Every year, BCHS presents a dynamic roster of seasonal in-person and virtual community programs such as special lectures, concerts, films, and family experiences at both the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, PA.

The Community Programs Coordinator is responsible for the successful management of this fast-paced, year-long program schedule, and collaborates with colleagues in the Department of Community Services & Marketing, as well as the greater institution, to bring these programs to the public and contribute to advancing the mission and strategic plan goals and help increase awareness, attendance, membership, and philanthropic support.

Responsibilities

Overview of Duties

The Community Programs Coordinator is responsible for researching, developing, executing, and/or evaluating a successful roster of new and existing community-centric, innovative programming opportunities for a variety of audiences, including adults, families and intergenerational groups. These programs will offer meaningful and welcoming experiences to visitors and will be inspired by the organization’s mission, historic properties, collections and exhibitions.

In addition, the Community Programs Coordinator will work closely with other museum staff and assist with the overall daily operations of the department as needed.

This full-time exempt position reports to the Vice President of Community Services & Marketing.

Key areas of responsibility:

  • Plan, run, and supervise year-round schedule of community programs, including managing staff and volunteers, overseeing all program elements, closely monitoring budgetary administration, and ensuring positive guest experience

  • Research, design, and deliver educational, mission-driven community outreach programs presented to local libraries, historical societies, senior homes, and other community organizations

  • Seek out and negotiate guest speakers and collaborations, and negotiate agreements

  • Work with internal colleagues, as well as external community partners and local organizations, to co-plan local and regional programs and cultivate community support

  • Create programs in Altru database and analyze program sales and attendance numbers

  • Explore methods of evaluation to assess program success and identify changes as needed

  • Work closely with marketing department to produce promotional language and marketing assets for programs and community engagement

Assist colleagues in Education Department for the Bucks and Montgomery -Counties’ Regional National History Day contest

  • Share rotating duties in managing daily front-of-house staff and museum guides on scheduled days

  • Help manage the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle’s summer internship program and oversee program interns

  • Maintain current knowledge of best practices in museum programming and greater museum field

  • Other mission-related duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications

  • Positive, enthusiastic self-starter with top-notch attention to detail, planning and organizational skills

  • Genuine appreciation for working with the greater public and demonstrated success in working with a wide array of diverse audiences and/or community organizations and stakeholders

  • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, and steward programs from creation to completion

  • Talent in balancing small program details while maintaining a larger, strategic vision

  • Interest in learning and delivering key community programs and historical interpretation materials both in-person and online

  • Ability to confidently serve as a community ambassador for BCHS.

  • Flexibility, kindness, sense of humor and willingness to learn

  • Independent problem-solver who is comfortable asking for guidance and/or taking direction

  • Ability to work weekends and evenings as need in order to manage special programs or participate in special events

  • Solid proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite and Zoom Professional Experience with Altru database a plus.

  • Interest in learning new technology, media and/or A/V skills as needed

Required Education or Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2-3 years related experience in public history, program development, event planning, customer service and/or education is required

  • Master’s degree in Public History, Museum Studies or related field, and/or previous program planning experience at a museum or historic site preferred

How to Apply

All interested candidates should send a cover letter, résumé, and three references as a single PDF to careers@mercermuseum.org, ATTN: Community Programs Coordinator. Salary commensurate with experience in $40-$42K range.

The Bucks County Historical Society provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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Posted on May 5