Town of Wheatland Employment Opportunity: Part-Time Town Historian
The Town of Wheatland, New York, is seeking a knowledgeable, organized, and community-minded individual to serve as Part-Time Town Historian. This position offers an opportunity to preserve Wheatland’s historical resources, encourage public interest in local history, and help ensure that the stories of the Town and its residents remain accessible to future generations.
Under New York State Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 57.07, each town must have a local historian appointed by the Town Supervisor. The law directs local historians to support the preservation of government and nongovernment historical records and to conduct and encourage research that increases public understanding of the community’s history. Compensation is established by the governing board.
Position Information
Title: Town Historian
Municipality: Town of Wheatland
Employment status: Part-time
Appointment: Appointed by the Town Supervisor in accordance with New York State law
Schedule: Flexible, based on Town needs and approved hours
Compensation: Annual Salary $4,784.35
Work location: Wheatland Municipal Building, 22 Main Street, Scottsville, NY 14546
Application deadline: Friday, November 6
This appointment is subject to all applicable requirements of the Monroe County Civil Service Commission. The Commission determines municipal position titles and classifications, develops job specifications, and administers applicable appointment requirements for local governments within its jurisdiction.
Position Summary
The Town Historian serves as the official historian for the Town of Wheatland and promotes the collection, organization, preservation, research, and public understanding of the Town’s history. The Historian works with Town officials, staff, residents, libraries, historical organizations, schools, researchers, and other community partners. The position requires sound judgment when handling original records, photographs, artifacts, genealogical information, and materials that may be fragile, confidential, or historically significant.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Town Historian may perform the following duties:
Collect, organize, inventory, and help preserve materials relating to the history of the Town of Wheatland and its communities.
Research and document significant people, places, organizations, events, properties, businesses, farms, schools, and community traditions.
Promote appropriate management and preservation of Town records that have enduring historical or research value.
Encourage the coordinated collection and preservation of nongovernment historical records held by residents, families, libraries, churches, historical societies, and other organizations.
Respond to reasonable requests from residents, Town officials, researchers, students, genealogists, property owners, and members of the public.
Prepare historical articles, displays, presentations, reports, social media content, or educational materials.
Assist with commemorations, historical markers, anniversaries, community events, walking tours, exhibits, and public programs.
Provide historical information to the Town Supervisor, Town Board, and Town departments when requested.
Build cooperative relationships with local and regional libraries, municipal historians, museums, schools, preservation organizations, and historical societies.
Help identify and pursue appropriate grants, donations, partnerships, and other resources for historical preservation or educational projects.
Maintain orderly records of historical inquiries, research projects, collections, and activities.
Prepare periodic reports for the Town Supervisor and Town Board describing projects, accomplishments, collection needs, and public engagement activities.
Attend meetings, training sessions, conferences, and community events when authorized or requested.
Follow Town policies and applicable requirements concerning records management, information security, public access, copyright, confidentiality, and the proper care of historical materials.
Perform other related historical duties as assigned and consistent with New York State law.
These responsibilities reflect the statutory role of a local government historian, including preserving records of enduring value, encouraging the preservation of nongovernment records, and conducting research that expands public knowledge and appreciation of local history.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates should possess:
A high school diploma or equivalent.
Demonstrated interest in local history, public history, genealogy, archives, historic preservation, museum studies, library services, records management, education, or a related area.
Experience conducting research using primary and secondary sources.
Ability to organize paper and digital records carefully and accurately.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with Town officials, residents, researchers, community groups, and the public.
Basic computer skills, including email, word processing, electronic file organization, and internet research.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple requests, maintain suitable records, and complete assignments within established deadlines.
Ability to handle historical documents, photographs, artifacts, and sensitive information responsibly.
Preferred Qualifications
Preference may be given to candidates who possess one or more of the following:
College coursework or a degree in history, public history, archives, museum studies, library science, historic preservation, education, records management, or a related field.
Prior experience as a municipal historian, archivist, librarian, museum employee or volunteer, educator, genealogist, researcher, or historical society member.
Familiarity with the history and communities of the Town of Wheatland.
Experience digitizing, cataloging, describing, or preserving historical records and photographs.
Experience preparing public presentations, exhibits, publications, educational programs, grant applications, or historical markers.
Knowledge of New York State local government records and historical resources.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit an application explaining their qualifications and interest in Wheatland’s history
Applications may be submitted to:
Town Supervisor
Town of Wheatland
22 Main Street
Scottsville, NY 14546
Email: supervisor@townofwheatlandny.gov Subject line: Town Historian Application
Applications must be received by Friday, November 6. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and qualified candidates may be contacted for an interview.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Town of Wheatland is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without unlawful discrimination based on any characteristic protected by federal, New York State, or local law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided during the application and interview process in accordance with applicable law. Applicants requiring an accommodation may contact the Town Clerk at (585) 889-1553.