About this position

JOB TITLE: Program Associate, Forest History Center

LOCATION: Forest History Center, 2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

COMPENSATION: Typical starting range $53,414.40 - $57,512.00 annually

STATUS & HOURS: Full-time, regular (approximately 2,080 annual hours) position. This is a full-time 40 hours/week position, Tuesdays through Saturdays.

BENEFITS: Eligible to participate in State Employee Group Insurance Program and a retirement program with employer contribution. Generous vacation and sick time accruals with additional paid holidays.

DESIGNATION: Bargaining Unit AFSCME Local 3173

POSTING DATE: March 5, 2026

DEADLINE DATE: Open Until Filled

TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society’s career center at www.mnhs.org/jobs and include a resume and cover letter by the application deadline date.

DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this position is to research, develop, and implement programs, presentations, activities, and education materials relating to the Forest History Center's historic interpretive programs for various audiences. The Program Associate will focus primarily on revitalizing existing programming, which will include the Logging Camp, MFS Patrolman’s Cabin, Fire Tower, and River Wanigan.

SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) Plan, develop, and implement programs, presentations, activities, and educational materials for various audiences; 2) Research content, educational methods, and museum practices to ensure that interpretive programs, presentations, and activities accurately convey historical context and utilize effective educational approaches; 3) Write training manuals, develop training presentations, and deliver training in a variety of formats; 4) Plan, organize, develop, and schedule special programs, day camps, and events for various audiences; 5) Assist in the evaluation of public, school, and interpretive programs; and 6) Provide program delivery support as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in history, education, museum studies, forestry, humanities discipline or other related field.
Three years’ experience developing and/or delivering interpretive programs.
Experience creating training materials and /or conducting training.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking skills.
Strong computer skills necessary to develop quality project and program documentation.
Experience in history research methodology and data gathering techniques.
Experience with museum education theory and practices.
Holds a valid driver’s license with a willingness to travel.
Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
Ability to bend, crouch, kneel, reach, push, and pull.
Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds; partner lift with anything up to 100 pounds.

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS IN OR KNOWLEDGE OF:

Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse audience of varying cultural backgrounds, ages and abilities.
Demonstrated ability to think imaginatively and problem solve.
Demonstrated positive customer service skills.
Demonstrated ability to multitask, work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines, prioritize and adapt to changing priorities.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and take individual initiative while also being able to collaborate effectively and contribute positively in a team environment.
Strong detail orientation with the ability to synthesize and organize complex information and maintain/upgrade systems and processes.
Demonstrated ability to synthesize research into coherent themes and narratives.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience working with children and/or adults in an educational environment.
Experience creating and delivering education programs at a museum or other cultural institution.
Previous experience creating and/or delivering training materials in educational or museum settings.
Demonstrated comfort around large animals such as draft horses.
Experience working with and caring for draft horses.

Should you have questions with the application process, email humanresources@mnhs.org or call MNHS Job Line at 651-259-3181.

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.