Job Description

JOB TITLE: Oral History Program Assistant 

LOCATION: History Center – 345 W Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102

COMPENSATION: $21.89 hourly minimum 

STATUS & HOURS: Full-time, regular (approximately 2,080 annual hours) position. 

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: December 20, 2023 

DEADLINE DATE: January 20, 2024 

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: This position exists to support the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) Oral History Program throughout the lifespan of each interview from transcription to archiving and public dissemination. In collaboration with the staff and narrators of the MNHS Oral History Program, the Oral Program Assistant ensures and upholds the highest standards, ethics, and representation. 

The program assistant works in partnership with Minnesotans of all backgrounds to ensure each person’s recorded story is authentically and responsibly reflected in all formats and discovery platforms.The Oral History Program Assistant initiates and completes the transcription process from audit-editing newly created transcripts, to corresponding with narrators and interviewers, to finalizing transcripts for the archival process. They will be passionate about the work and mission of the MNHS Oral History Program and assist the Program Manager with developing, maintaining, and sharing new MNHS Oral History guides and resources, including style and fieldwork toolkit guides, which will be updated and revised as necessary in accordance with field-wide best practices. They create a growing collection of highlights and excerpts from finalized oral history interviews (from both text and recordings) for future use by MNHS, including broadcast, exhibition, and other forms of public accessibility and engagement. They will collaborate with the Oral History Program Manager to provide general administrative support for the program. 

SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) Audit-edit oral history transcripts to catch and correct errors, grammar, stylistic inconsistencies, and other standard formatting prior to sending to narrators for full review; 2) Expedite and coordinate access and discovery of Oral History Collection; 3) Assist with research, compilation, editing, and updating MNHS Oral History Program guides, literature, and training resources in collaboration with Oral History Program Manager; and 4) Provide general administration support to the Oral History Program. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in writing/editing, linguistics, languages, history, anthropology, or a related field. 
• Significant practical experience in editing and writing. 
• Ability to listen with care and empathy. 
• Ability to discern and handle sensitive subject matter in oral history interviews
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and Google software and email. 
• Technical skills and experience using internet and media technologies. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing, by phone, and in person with varied audiences. 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take individual initiative while also being able to collaborate effectively and contribute positively in a team environment. 
• Demonstrated ability to multitask, work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines, prioritize and adapt to changing priorities. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural setting with a deep commitment to supporting and promoting diversity. 
• Ability and willingness to maintain electronic and written records and to complete assigned reports. 
• Ability to attend meetings and complete tasks on a timely basis. 
• Comfortable occasionally working in high, precarious places, which may include standing, climbing, and balancing on a ladder. 
• Comfortable with occasional exposure to potential irritants such as fumes or airborne particles.
• Ability to lift and carry files and objects weighing up to 25 pounds; up to 50 pounds with assistance. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Knowledge and technical capacity to edit digital audio and video files. 
• Fluency in at least one prominent language of Minnesota other than English
• Knowledge of the Oral History Association’s Principles and Best Practices
• Experience working with researchers and other constituents. 
• Knowledge of MNHS collections. 
• Knowledge of Minnesota history. 

Should you have questions with the application process, email hu************@mn**.org. 

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.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: editing, library, museum, oral history, and transcripts. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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