January 10, 2024
Program Assistant
Washington, DC
Full Time
JOB SUMMARY
With guidance from senior staff, the Program Assistant is responsible for executing daily program tasks, including logistics, supplies, and sales activities related President Lincoln’s Cottage’s group tours and education programs, whether digital or onsite iterations. This position also provides support for public programming and conducts tours and programs regularly. The Program Assistant reports directly to the Associate Director for Learning Initiatives. This position is responsible for helping to ensure the visitor experience with President Lincoln’s Cottage is optimal. Program work may be outside of normal business hours, require seasonal shifts in schedule, and may include work on weekend days and holidays.
DUTIES
- Organizes program and tour logistics including scheduling, communications, and supplies; ensuring compliance with existing site policies. Ensure sufficient program supplies are in stock and on hand at any given time.
- Maintains accurate and up-to-date information on the PLC site-wide and Programs calendar, including program information and scheduling of front-line staff.
- Assist with tracking of departmental expenses; preparing and issuing tour and program invoices, receipts, and other correspondence with customers and partners.
- Conducts tours and education programs on a scheduled basis and fills in on the front line as needed. Accurately interprets the site’s stories, themes, collection, and sense of place for visitors, so they better understand and appreciate the site and its work. Works to make PLC a welcoming and accessible environment for all.
- Maintains up-to-date databases that include contact lists for area and national teachers, tour companies, and other clients as directed.
- Assists with maintaining databases tracking site visitation, attendance, and impact data
- Assists with efforts to develop and produce content for program marketing, working collaboratively with appropriate colleagues as needed. This work may include copy writing, online event portal management, and minimal graphic design.
- Works to promote and sell President Lincoln’s Cottage programs through organizations (e.g. Destination DC), interest groups (e.g. Teachers), and direct customer interaction with supervision.
- Conducts routine market research to ensure competitive workshop, program, and group tour pricing structures and make informed recommendations to supervisor.
- Provides direct support to education and public programs for the site.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and time management.
- Ability to achieve results with supervision.
- Some experience coordinating the flow of information and tasks, to include maintaining databases, supply stocks, customer service, and/or program coordination.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people and demonstrated success working with culturally diverse colleagues.
- Basic analytic and problem-solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to learn new things essential.
- Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, MS Excel, and Google Drive.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience.
Preferred
- At least 2 years of professional-level experience in a museum setting.
- Demonstrated experience in an informal learning environment.
- Demonstrated project management skills.
- Familiarity with best practices for historic site interpretation and management.
- Ability to adapt quickly to changing technology and communications best practices.
- Familiarity with database design, Eventbrite, Canva, or other program management and marketing tools.
- Degree in public history, museum studies, museum education, or related field.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- $22.75 – $24.00 per hour (approximately $47,300 – $49,900 annually)
- Generous paid time off including 12 paid holidays each year, a vacation accrual program where new hires earn up to 3 weeks off in their first year, 3 days of PTO (paid time off) each calendar year, and a generous sick leave accrual program. Additionally, President Lincoln’s Cottage offers a leave donation program for the rare occasion when one of our team members requires additional leave beyond their own leave balance.
- All employees are eligible for a 401K account. After one year of employment, President Lincoln’s Cottage will match an employee’s contributions up to 4% of the employee’s paycheck.
- Health insurance with employer contribution. Additionally, President Lincoln’s Cottage offers dental insurance, vision insurance, and other health benefits.
- Life insurance, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance are also provided at no cost to the employee.
- An Employee Assistance Program which provides counseling services is available.
- Free onsite parking.
- Discounts in the Museum Shop.
APPLICATION
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the subject line “Program Assistant”. For best consideration, apply by February 20, 2024.
President Lincoln’s Cottage is interested in applicants from all backgrounds and past experiences. We encourage women, BIPOC, Veteran, and all other candidates to apply. If you don’t meet every qualification listed but are excited about our mission and the work described above, we welcome your application. We’re most interested in building a creative and talented team of staff dedicated to our work. You may still be an excellent fit for this position even if you’re missing some of the above qualifications. If there is something we can do to make the application process more accessible to you, please let us know.
ABOUT PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S COTTAGE
President Lincoln’s Cottage is a historic site and museum located in Washington D.C. on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, an active home for veterans founded in 1852. The site opened to the public in February 2008, after an eight-year capital restoration project under the auspices of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As of January 2016, President Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home became an independent, 501(c)3 organization.
It is the only place the public can experience the history of Abraham Lincoln’s public and private life where he lived and worked for over a quarter of his presidency. While in residence at the Cottage, Lincoln visited with wounded soldiers, spent time with self-emancipated men, women, and children, and developed the Emancipation Proclamation. The human cost of the Civil War surrounded him, undoubtedly impacted his thinking, and strengthened his resolve to challenge the status quo. Through innovative guided tours, exhibits and programs, we use Lincoln’s example to inspire visitors to take their own path to greatness, and preserve this place as an authentic, tangible connection to the past and a beacon of hope for all who take up Lincoln’s unfinished work. Learn more: www.lincolncottage.org.
