Job Title: Education Director

Location: Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM), Essex, MA

About Us:
The Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM) is committed to preserving history, fostering education, and inspiring the future through the cultural and maritime heritage of Essex and beyond. We are looking for a passionate and dynamic Education Director to lead our educational initiatives and make a lasting impact on our community.

Position Overview:
The Education Director will oversee the development, management, and delivery of EHSSM’s educational programs for audiences of all ages, from K-12 students to lifelong learners. This role is a unique opportunity for a self-starter with the skills to sustain and grow a self-funding position. The ideal candidate will be creative, entrepreneurial, and proactive in seeking grants, partnerships, and other funding opportunities to support the role and the museum’s educational mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and evaluate innovative educational programs aligned with EHSSM’s mission.
• Create programs tailored to diverse audiences, including K-12 students, adult learners, and intergenerational groups.
• Lead hands-on activities in workshops, on-site, and on the water, incorporating themes of history, shipbuilding, and environmental stewardship.
• Manage program schedules, budgets, and logistics to ensure smooth execution.
• Research, write, and secure grants to fully fund the position and support educational initiatives.
• Recruit, train, and motivate volunteers to assist in program delivery and operations.
• Represent EHSSM at community events, conferences, and other outreach opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, history, museum studies, environmental science, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Equivalent professional experience in education, program development, or a related field will be considered.
• Proven experience in developing and delivering educational programs, ideally in a museum or non-profit setting.
• Exceptional grant-writing and fundraising abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and inspire volunteers.

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience. This position is self-funding, and success in securing grants and other funding will directly support compensation and program growth. Details provided during the interview process.

How to Apply:
Submit a cover letter and resume to office@essexshipbuilding.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Job Title: Part-Time Curator

Location: Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM), Essex, MA

About Us:
The Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM) is dedicated to preserving history, fostering education, and inspiring the future through the rich cultural and maritime heritage of Essex and beyond. We are seeking an entry-level Part-Time Curator to manage our extensive historical collection and contribute to public engagement through exhibits, research, and securing funding to support collections and programming.

Position Overview:
The Part-Time Curator will be responsible for overseeing the care, organization, and accessibility of EHSSM’s diverse collection of photographs, artifacts, and archival materials. This position offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in collections management, exhibit development, grant writing, and community engagement while working with a supportive and passionate team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Organize, catalog, and preserve EHSSM’s collection of thousands of photographs, artifacts, and archival materials using PastPerfect software.
• Manage collections housed both on-site at the museum’s schoolhouse facility and in off-site storage.
• Create compelling and educational exhibits for the public.
• Identify and secure grants to support collections management, conservation, and exhibit development.
• Respond to research requests and maintain accurate records.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in history, museum studies, library science, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Experience in archival work, collections management, or conservation is highly desirable.
• Excellent written communication skills, including prior experience or interest in grant writing.

Compensation: This is a part-time position with a competitive hourly wage commensurate with experience.

How to Apply:
Submit a cover letter and resume to office@essexshipbuilding.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Job Title: Visitor Services Associate

Location: Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM), Essex, MA

About Us:
The Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM) is a working waterfront shipyard museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the tradition of Essex shipbuilding and the community that supports it. With curated exhibits and the largest collection of primary sources about shipbuilding and local history in the region, EHSSM offers visitors a unique and enriching experience.

Position Overview:
The Visitor Services Associate will serve as a welcoming ambassador for EHSSM, providing exceptional customer service to guests, managing admissions and museum shop sales, and supporting group tours and special events. This is a part-time, seasonal position running from June to October, with work primarily on weekends. Additional hours may be available for events and occasional shift coverage.

Key Responsibilities:

• Greet all visitors warmly and provide an engaging introductory experience at the admissions desk.
• Conduct opening and closing procedures for the Admissions and Museum Shop areas.
• Sell admissions tickets and process museum shop purchases accurately.
• Provide visitor orientation and respond to inquiries.
• Support special events and occasional additional programming during the season.

Qualifications:

• Prior experience in customer service, retail, or a similar public-facing role.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a friendly demeanor.
• Interest in history, shipbuilding, or local heritage is a plus.

Compensation: Seasonal position running from June to October with competitive hourly wage.

How to Apply:
Submit a cover letter and resume to office@essexshipbuilding.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.