Part-time Project Coordinator needed for the Museum of the City of New York and Brooklyn Historical Society’s upcoming NEH Summer Institute: Freedom for One, Freedom for All? Abolition and Woman Suffrage, 1830s – 1920s

Freedom for One, Freedom for All? Abolition and Woman Suffrage, 1830s – 1920s, is a two-week NEH Summer Institute co-led by Brooklyn Historical Society and the Museum of the City of New York. The institute will run from July 18–29, 2016 and guide 30 middle and high school teachers—our NEH Summer Scholars—in an exploration of the intertwined histories of the abolitionist and woman suffrage movements in the United States. NEH Summer Scholars will work with prominent scholars in the fields of U.S. history, African American studies, women and gender studies, and law, including Deborah Gray White, Manisha Sinha, Judith Wellman, Nancy Hewitt, Julie Gallagher, Martha Jones, and Wanda Hendricks to explore a rich array of primary sources and historical scholarship on view at both institutions. Over the course of the two-week institute, teachers will learn new narratives about these seminal movements in American history and the connections between them. In light of upcoming important anniversaries for both the abolition and suffrage movements, participants will also learn ways to connect past with present using the lenses of race, gender, and class to unpack inequities and injustices that continue to challenge our nation.

BHS and the City Museum are looking for an individual to coordinate the logistics of the summer institute from April to July 2016. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for:

• Creating a “Welcome to New York” packet and orientation materials for the institute; ordering materials such as books, metrocards, supplies, etc, for pre-distribution to accepted teachers
• Communicating with teachers who have been accepted to answer their questions and collecting their paperwork before the institute
• Creating and photocopying materials for teachers to use during the institute
• Planning and implementing an evening orientation on July 17th
• Acting as the liaison for day-to-day logistics including issues with housing in Brooklyn over the two-week period
• Updating the project website and blog (in WordPress)
• Attending planning meetings with BHS, the City Museum and scholars as needed
• Participating in all aspects of the institute during the two-week period
• Facilitating conversations in small break-out groups of teachers about content discussed during the sessions

The ideal candidate will have a graduate degree in American History (or closely related field like American Studies), Education and/or Museum Studies (PhD candidates are encouraged to apply) and an interest in the institute’s focus: Abolition and Women Suffrage; experience communicating with a broad audiences (from classroom teachers, to professionals at research facilities, to scholars); fantastic organizational skills, flexibility, and the ability to handle multiple projects at one time; comfort with handling administrative tasks; familiarity with national and local learning standards in Social Studies a plus; experience updating websites a plus (no coding experience necessary)

Schedule:
Mid-April-June: Setting up lodging, teacher packets/books/web presence, and general liaising with teachers (50 hours)
July 1-15: Imminent Institute Prep (TBD) (36 hours)
July 17-29: (80 hours)

Days and location for some work before the institute begins may be flexible. Candidates must be available for the whole month of July. $25/hr. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to nehinstitute@brooklynhistory.org

Brooklyn Historical Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
The Brooklyn Historical Society is dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, the presence of any mental, physical, or sensory disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.
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The Museum of the City of New York is an equal opportunity employer, encouraging diversity and welcoming applicants of all backgrounds.