Humanities Officer

Questions? For questions about this position or application process, please contact us at: jobs@mnhum.org

Minnesota Humanities Center

The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) is a statewide nonprofit organization that supports the development of humanities programming throughout Minnesota, creates programming, issues grants to support humanities programming, and operates an event center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. MHC’s vision is to create a just society that is curious, connected, and compassionate. MHC’s mission is to connect our past, present, and future to bring people together, increase understanding, and spark change.

As the humanities teach competence, communication, cultural awareness, and empathy, we believe in the power of the humanities to bridge differences, interpret the complexities of our world, and positively shape our collective future. Using the humanities disciplines such as philosophy, literature, civics, history, and language through mediums such as discussions, books, radio, and television, we facilitate respectful dialog, reflection, analysis, and change. In fulfilling MHC’s vision and mission, we intentionally collaborate with individuals and organizations to inspire authentic conversation, forge deep connections, encourage action, and illuminate racially and ethnically diverse voices.

Primary Responsibilities

The position reports to the Program Director/Lead but may work with the Chief Executive Officer and/or the Chief Impact Officer (CIO). The Humanities Officer is expected to be collaborative, adaptable, and a highly organized individual. The Humanities Officer is responsible for:

• Cultivating and strengthening community partnerships.
• Developing and executing humanities projects from start to finish.
• Providing project management throughout and coordinating day-to-day logistics.
• Facilitating and completing evaluation of humanities projects.
• Participating in and supporting other MHC hosted/sponsored/supported events.
• Understanding how our work meets this moment in time.

Design – 25%

• Design humanities projects, identifying the goals, timelines, outcomes, implementation plans, activities, and responsibilities of the individuals and organizations associated with the project
• Coordinate pre-design planning activities with staff [and/or scholars and community members/organizations]
• Contribute to the creation of humanities project budget
• Collaborate with MHC staff to develop marketing, promotion, communication, and funding strategies

Implementation — 50%

• Successfully manage relationships with community members, organizations, and individual scholars partnering with MHC
• Research and cultivate understanding of underlying subject matter that comprises humanities project
• Coordinate activities and provide project management oversight of activities performed by individuals and organizations within humanities projects
• Coordinate the execution and performance of contracts associated with humanities projects
• Provide regular project status and budget updates to supervisor and CIO
• Coordinate the evaluation of humanities projects
• Ensure humanities projects align with project and agency work plan goals
• Ensure humanities projects are implemented consistent with the mission, vision, and values of MHC

Management/Administrative – 20%

• Support the implementation of the humanities project marketing strategy
• Support the submission of funding proposals for humanities projects (as applicable)
• Provide written reports on humanities project work to support such activities as the annual report, current web content, legislative report, and submission of grant proposals
• Participate in internal staffing meetings
• Represent MHC in networking/educational activities and meetings
• Timely submission of project expense requests
• Supervise project staff (as applicable)

Other – 5%

• Other duties as assigned

Behavioral Expectations

• Demonstrate high integrity, passion, and commitment to the mission and goals of MHC
• Build and sustain relationships
• Provide timely, high-level of customer service through listening and responding to the needs and requests of others, internally and externally
• Adjust to changing conditions or priorities willingly
• Identify problems and consistently make decisions that resolve problems
• Professional attitude and appearance

Organizational Relationships

• Communicate effectively
• Works closely with supervisor and CIO to develop operational excellence strategies for internal and external process improvement
• Collaborate with senior leadership team members, humanities officers, marketing manager, web administrator, database administrator, project management specialist, board of directors, vendors, and other contractors
• Collaborate with individuals, academic and non-academic scholars, community organizations, schools and universities, foundations, faith-based organizations, governmental units, and businesses.

General Expectations

• Self-motivated, flexible, and optimistic individual with excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent projects
• Culturally competent and have the ability to build strong relationships, find common ground, build consensus, and strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholders
• Success managing internal and external relationships
• Working knowledge of project planning, organizational structure, budgeting, and administrative operations
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong work ethic and commitment to create high-quality programming

Requirements

The ideal candidate will be an individual who is organized, enjoys learning, values working with others, and is comfortable working on several projects simultaneously. The ideal candidate will be a strong project manager, storyteller, writer, and editor who is committed to amplifying the voices of scholars and individuals from historically politically disenfranchised communities.

• B.A. degree in a humanities discipline and/or equivalent community-based experience
• Minimum experience of 3 years in programming management
• Ability to organize time, set priorities, and work in an effective manner while managing several projects simultaneously
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience working with racial and ethnically diverse communities
• Experience working on community-driven initiatives
• Proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel)
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends with occasional travel outside of the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, multi-functional copiers/printers, and filing cabinets.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to effectively communicate, use a telephonic device, and/or use a computer. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This is a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stand, as necessary. While performing the duties of the job, the noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate. Stress levels may become high during certain times of the year.

Expect to work a flexible and varied schedule that may include working evenings, weekends, and some holidays. Must be available to respond in the event of a crisis as needed. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Key Competencies

Continuous Learning – Commitment to learning, applying, building on, and evaluating new knowledge and skills.

Interpersonal Awareness – Ability to have and show empathy for others. Listens well and responds thoughtfully.

Collaborative – Develop, maintain, and strengthen internal and external relationships.

Adaptable – Adapts to change quickly as needed while thriving in a complex environment.

Enthusiasm – Exhibits passion, positive attitude, and excitement about MHC’s work.

Project Management — Must be able to handle several programs simultaneously.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected class under law.

Apply

Interested candidates should email their cover letter with salary requirements, resume, and the names and contact information of three (3) professional contacts to jobs@mnhum.org. We are unable to accept telephone calls.