Openings

Humanities Program Officer (application deadline March 15th or until position is filled)

PreK-12 Education Program Officer (application deadline March 26th or until position is filled)

Humanities Program Officer

The Michigan Humanities Council (MHC) is searching for a Program Officer to develop and manage statewide programs including author tours and book groups, cultural traveling exhibits, and community conversations on timely topics. The Program Officer will share responsibilities for public speaking, grant writing and coordination, research and public outreach. The ideal candidate will be passionate about literature, history and culture, an excellent writer and verbal communicator, and very enthusiastic. Building partnerships with community libraries, colleges and universities, K-12 schools, museums and historical societies are central to this position. Preference will be given to applicants with a minimum of a master’s degree and five or more years of professional experience in a humanities-related field. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The Council is a 501C-3 private, nonprofit organization and equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and two writing samples to: Program Officer Search Committee, MHC, 119 Pere Marquette Drive, Suite 3B, Lansing, MI 48912-1270. Applications accepted until March 15, 2012, or until the position is filled.

Job Description

The Program Officer is responsible for developing and implementing Council-conducted humanities programs and partnerships under the leadership of the Executive Director. The Program Officer also serves as staff to the Board of Directors Program Committee which periodically reviews and makes recommendations for program-related initiatives.

The Program Officer is responsible for tracking current trends in humanities scholarship; staying abreast of innovative and effective methods of public programming (including digital initiatives); and interfacing with a wide range of individuals, including scholars, community leaders, educators, library and museum professionals, vendors, sponsors and members of the general public, including diverse audiences and underserved groups. The Program Officer should strive to create and maintain a network of partner organizations, including extensive outreach into library, K-12, higher education, museum, history and cultural communities. Ideal qualifications include an advanced degree in a humanities discipline, an extensive literary background and excellent communications (both written and verbal) and research skills.

Broad responsibilities include:

Identifying new program opportunities that align with the Council’s mission and current priorities, making the Executive Director aware of these opportunities, and presenting them to the Board of Directors Program Committee and Full Board as appropriate.
Researching, writing and preparing periodic compliance reports for Council programs and special projects.
Developing new initiatives that address social challenges (i.e. community building, equality, literacy, education) through humanities-based public programs.
Working with national partners to implement existing Michigan humanities initiatives.
Working with the Executive Director and Development Director to identify program resources and sponsors.
Coordinating with the Executive Director and Fiscal Officer to develop and manage program budgets.
Developing outcome-based assessment tools, including audience surveys, to effectively evaluate programs and prepare final reports that reflect program outcomes and meet sponsor requirements. Track programs in Council database.
Working directly with statewide/regional public audiences and partner organizations (i.e. libraries, schools, museums, etc.) to reach intended audiences.
Developing scholar-vetted, humanities-based program content for public audiences – including exhibits, program guides, articles, teacher resources and more.
Working with the Communications Officer to develop and implement effective publicity campaigns to ensure programs reach intended audiences.

The Program Officer’s current portfolio of initiatives includes:

Great Michigan Read: Statewide humanities-based reading program featuring a single work of Michigan literature. Related responsibilities include coordinating the selection committee; developing program strategy; creating resource materials; recruiting and managing partner organizations (~300); implementing special public programs (including author tours, exhibits and more); coordinating book and materials distribution; and making recommendations for funding and administering contracts for partner organizations.

Museum on Main Street Touring Exhibitions: Humanities-based Smithsonian traveling exhibits that tour rural communities throughout the state. Related responsibilities include serving as primary liaison between the Smithsonian and the Council; recruiting applicants and coordinating the application process; recruiting state scholar(s); providing programming and logistical support to tour sites; and developing related statewide initiatives to support the exhibition.

Making Sense of the American Civil War: Scholar-led reading-and-discussion program focusing on Civil War themes taking place at libraries statewide. Related responsibilities include developing the program framework; recruiting library applicants and coordinating the application process; recruiting regional scholars; coordinating resource distribution; and administering scholar honoraria.

Benefits include health care insurance/cafeteria plan, disability and life insurance, and a 401K/deferred compensation plan.

PreK-12 Education Program Officer

The Michigan Humanities Council is looking for a dynamic individual to work with local communities, schools and libraries to engage young children, school-age youth and families in high-quality reading and cultural enrichment programs. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s, or preferably a master’s degree, in a humanities-related area or education, five years professional experience, and a great love for reading and children’s literature. Experience working with libraries, schools and community organizations, as well as coordinating state or regional events is highly desirable. Strong writing, public speaking and organizational skills required; grant-writing experience would be very helpful. This position will require traveling around the state periodically to make site visits where Council programs are
being hosted.

The Council is a 501 C-3 private, nonprofit organization, equal opportunity employer, and offers a competitive salary and benefits package. To view the full position description, visit www.michiganhumanities.org/openings.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and two writing samples to: Education Program Officer Search Committee, MHC, 119 Pere Marquette Drive, Suite 3B, Lansing, MI 48912-1270. Applications accepted until March 26, 2012, or until the position is filled.

Job Description

The Program Officer for PreK-12 Education Programs directly reports to the executive director and is responsible for the administration, content development, implementation, promotion and outreach of Council preK-12 education programs. The Program Officer, when appropriate, attends meetings, delivers presentations and participates in other related activities on behalf of the Council. Responsibilities include the following:

Develops and administers Prime Time Family Reading Time™ program.

Coordinates the recruitment, application and training process for Prime Time local library sites
and partners.
Develops an annual budget for the program and tracks local library program budgets to ensure payment schedules are met.
Assists libraries in identifying recruiters, storytellers, scholars and local matching grant sources.
Conducts site evaluations for each program as required; develops a corps of site evaluators using a regional model as the program grows.
Compiles data and prepares annual program reports to LEH and other funding agents and organizations.
Stays abreast of best practices through training provided by the LEH, other state Prime Time programs, and local Prime Time practitioners; shares these best practices through the Council web site, webinars, reports/e-newsletters and workshops.
Builds a network among local Prime Time library coordinators, scholars, storytellers, parents, students and supporters to foster support and growth of the program and a statewide culture of family reading.
Develops and updates program support materials including application packet, brochures, website content, a display and video.
Fosters partnerships with other entities advocating for or providing family reading programs and services, or serving families who could benefit from Prime Time.
Oversees the development of a long-term funding strategy that includes local, state and national corporate, public and nonprofit partners; writes grant and funding proposals to support Prime Time.
Identifies and implements innovative approaches for growing Prime Time with the goal of having a program in every county in Michigan.

Administers Poetry Out Loud Statewide High School Poetry Recitation Competition.

Recruits teachers and forensic coaches to enroll local high schools in the Poetry Out Loud statewide high school recitation competition.
Serves as the state liaison with the National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Out Loud competition held in Washington, DC.
Administers the registration process and assists teachers with inquiries during local competition period.
Plans and coordinates statewide competition including lining up judges, emcees, special guest artists, as well as logistics for the actual event.
Accompanies state champion and parent, teacher or coach to national competition.
Follows up competition with program evaluation and reporting requirements.

Assists executive director on special initiatives.

Researches and identifies other key family literacy initiatives that complement Prime Time Family Reading Time and helps create a cultural shift toward family literacy in Michigan.
Prepares presentation materials in collaboration with the executive director and development officer to be used for seeking funding support for family literacy initiatives.
Establishes a volunteer corps to support Council family literacy initiatives including Prime Time, as well as other Council programs.
Works with the executive director and other staff to ensure Council programs and events are successful.