Careers with The Filson Historical Society
Join us in sharing history!
The Filson Historical Society is a member-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, an equal opportunity employer, and provides its employees with industry competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package.
For general information regarding career opportunities, please contact the Filson Historical Society at (502) 635-5083.
Current Openings
Development Specialist / Legacy Giving (Part-time)
Job Description
The Filson Historical Society is seeking a seasoned professional to serve as the coordinator for their Legacy Giving program, the Thruston Legacy Circle. The Development Specialist will provide support for, and participate in, key processes and programs that sustain an office-wide focus on collaboration. Under the general direction of the Director of Development, this role provides assistance in the day-to-day operations of the Development department and fulfills responsibilities associated with the attainment and processing of planned gifts and various tasks/projects related to the Legacy Giving program. This position will identify prospective Thruston Legacy Circle members as well as work directly with prospective donors along with leadership staff and board members to coordinate asks.
The candidate should possess:
- excellent oral and written communication skills
- excellent organizational skills
- ability to manage records and utilize Excel spreadsheets
- understanding of endowment funding options ability to coach, motivate and mentor legacy teams consisting of volunteer board members and staff
The candidate must be:
- passionate about the Filson’s mission to preserve and share the history and culture of Kentucky and the Ohio Valley
- committed to the concept of legacy giving
- energetic
- a self-starter
- persistent
- a relationship builder who enjoys working in a collaborative environment
Qualifications
- Three or more years of demonstrated administrative responsibilities with exposure to fundraising
- Prior experience interfacing with Business Executives and Professionals
- Experience with a donor management system
- Ability to create reports and interpret data
- Experience using all Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) essential
- Bachelor’s Degree
This is a professional part time position working an average of 16 – 20 hours a week.
To apply please submit a cover letter and resume to Brenna Cundiff via email at gro.l1679876225aciro1679876225tsihn1679876225oslif1679876225@anne1679876225rb1679876225.
Internships
H. F. Boehl Summer Internship
Eligibility: Current enrollment in or recent completion of a graduate program in history, library science, archives, museum studies, or a related field.
Tenure of Internship: 100 hours to be completed in-house at the Filson.
Amount of Award: $15.00/hour
Interns work with appropriate curatorial staff and faculty advisers in areas of collections management and research. Recent projects have included processing manuscript and photograph collections, creating an online exhibit, and inventorying museum collections.
The application deadline for the Boehl internship is February 15th each year (or the Monday following the 15th if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday). To apply, please send a cover letter describing your research and collection projects you have conducted, your course work, and career objectives (in no more than two pages); your resume; and three letters of recommendation from those familiar with your work, including the faculty advisor directing your graduate work. Applicants are responsible for contacting all persons providing recommendations. You can email your application materials and direct any questions to gro.l1679876225aciro1679876225tsihn1679876225oslif1679876225@hcra1679876225eser1679876225.
Volunteers, Welcome to The Filson Historical Society!
Volunteering is a great way to learn more about history while helping to preserve the past for the enjoyment of future generations. Meeting new people, learning and sharing information, and making a real contribution to the Filson are just a few of the benefits volunteers can receive for their time and effort.
At the Filson Historical Society, volunteers provide connections to the past and insights into the present. Volunteers provide personal attention to visitors, perform behind-the-scenes assistance to our Collections Department, and work with the public in education and programming events … all by contributing their unique talents, skills and life experiences, and their knowledge about our community, our commonwealth and the Ohio Valley region.
The Filson Historical Society is committed to encouraging volunteer involvement at all levels in the organization. Please see our current volunteer opportunities below:
Volunteer Opportunities at The Filson
Docents
The Filson is seeking volunteer docents to give tours of the exhibits and the historic Ferguson Mansion. Initial and ongoing training for docents will be provided.
If you have the following attributes, you should consider becoming a docent:
- A passion for connecting the public to local history
- Great public speaking skills
- Interest in local history and art
- Punctual and reliable
Special Event Support
The Filson’s Education and Development Team is looking for volunteers to provide support during our lectures, exhibit openings, cultural pass program, and musical programs such as Jazz Night and Music Under the Trees. The Filson hosts more than 70 educational and entertaining events each year. Volunteer tasks will vary by event and typically include greeting attendees and answering questions, assisting with registration, monitoring gallery spaces, and helping direct the flow of traffic. Volunteers are asked to work a minimum of two hours. There is no set schedule for our special event volunteers.
It’s an exciting time at The Filson—join us!
For more information regarding volunteer opportunities, please contact Emma Bryan at 502-635-5083 or email gro.l1679876225aciro1679876225tsihn1679876225oslif1679876225@nayr1679876225bamme1679876225. Please note that all volunteers will be asked to complete a volunteer packet that includes a background check before they will be able to volunteer at the Filson.