Education & Outreach Coordinator

Organization

The Laurel Historical Society is a small community museum and archive dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history and cultural heritage of Laurel, Maryland. Supported by a small professional staff and an active Board of Directors, the organization presents a comprehensive calendar of educational programs, an annual museum exhibit, and ongoing community events, while also stewarding archival collections and advocating for the preservation of Laurel’s historic resources. Founded in 1975 as the Laurel Horizon Society, the Laurel Historical Society’s mission to preserve Laurel’s past for the future continues 50 years later.

Position Description

The Laurel Historical Society is looking for a motivated and organized individual to develop and deliver educational programming for the Laurel Historical Society and the Laurel Museum. This role also involves assisting with administrative tasks, building and maintaining relationships with community groups and cultural organizations, and volunteer coordination. This entry-level, part-time position (20 hours a week) is ideal for an emerging museum professional or an individual seeking experience in a small museum environment. Spanish language skills are a plus. The position reports directly to the Executive Director. This position requires the ability to walk up and down two flights of “historic” winder steps and lift up to 15 lbs.

This position will require some overlap with the museum’s open hours (Friday to Sunday, 12 to 4 PM), as well as occasional evening availability, typically on Thursdays, for meetings and special events. Job duties include:

Education & Programs:

• Support exhibitions and collections through educational activities and public programs
• Plan and lead public programs for children and adults (on-site, off-site, and virtually)
• Instruct and manage registration for Annual Summer Camps, Children’s Days, and other youth programs
• Coordinate and collaborate with area schools, scout troops, and homeschool groups to deliver educational programs (on-site, off-site, and virtually)
• Schedule and conduct tours of the Laurel Museum
• Conduct historical research to support educational programs and public initiatives
• Support event registration and assist with local off-site events as needed (ex: Main Street Festival)
• Assist with the development of interpretive materials for exhibits

Outreach & Community Engagement:

• Draft and distribute the organization’s quarterly Newsletter and monthly e-blasts
• Maintain and update social media accounts, including creating content and monitoring engagement
• Compose press releases and manage press and event calendar lists
• Create outdoor signage and promotional materials such as posters, event postcards, and social media graphics using existing templates
• Maintain and updates Laurel Historical Society website as needed
• Assist with the creation of signage and marketing materials

Museum Operations & Volunteer Management: 

• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise volunteers, including museum docents
• Open and close the Laurel Museum (using both key and security codes) as needed
• Serve as backup staffing for museum open hours
• Act as the primary point of contact for event volunteers and docents
• Greet visitors and provide orientation to the exhibit, the Laurel Museum, and Laurel’s history
• Promote the Laurel Historical Society (our programs, events, and volunteer opportunities, etc.) with visitors

Administrative Duties: 

• Monitor phone messages and emails
• Perform data entry tasks, including tracking volunteer hours
• Monitor inventory of supplies and equipment
• Other duties as assigned by Executive Director

Location: Hybrid

Many duties can be performed remotely; however, some tasks will require working in the museum at least two days a week. The Laurel Museum is in Laurel, Maryland (817 Main St).

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Comfort working with the public, including children, families, and adult audiences
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small, team-oriented environment

An interest in history, architecture, historic preservation, or museums is considered an asset.