Work with Us
Working with Kona Historical Society goes beyond connecting past, current, and future generations to Kona’s history – it’s about sustaining the community we ultimately serve. See the available positions below:
Public Programs Manager
Salary: $38,000 to $41,000, Full Time
The Kona Historical Society is seeking a Public Programs Manager to help us serve educational, cultural and historical programs to Kona's community and visitors. This small, community-based nonprofit museum is looking for a passionate individual with lots of enthusiasm for Kona's history and unique sense of place.
The Public Programs Manager oversees daily operations of Kona Historical Society’s programs which include the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, the public programs of the HN Greenwell Store Museum coordinated to accompany the H.N. Greenwell Store Exhibit, Portuguese Stone Oven Baking, and other regularly-scheduled, on-site public programs. Reporting directly to the Programs Director, the Public Programs Manager will craft and execute short-term and long-term programs that capitalize on the rich cultural and historical resources of the Kona Historical Society. The position will collaborate with other staff to ensure that public programs align with the museum’s goals and are well-integrated across content areas. Areas of responsibility include program development, community outreach, rentals management, and event logistics. Public speaking and strong writing skills are essential to the position. This position will require working several evening and weekend hours. The Public Programs Manager supervises 12-15 museum program staff whose responsibilities include interpretation, visitor services, retail, and/or grounds-keeping. The manager also works with the Leadership Team and other members of the Program Staff to train and supervise volunteers performing tasks that support KHS interpretive programs.
The Public Programs Manager should enjoy providing excellent programs to Kona Historical Society patrons, and partnering with fellow staff and volunteers. Dedication to historical research, cultural context and communicating Kona’s unique sense of place is a critical requirement of this position. The ability to execute planned programs and collaborate with staff, volunteers and community stakeholders are a must. The candidate should have the ability to prioritize and organize multiple activities accurately and with attention to detail, working effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
General responsibilities are as follows:
Plan, set priorities, schedule departmental work, and prepare annual work plans to reflect museum priorities.
Prepare and monitor annual program budgets in collaboration with the Programs Director.
Prepare and write quarterly and annual reports to be reviewed by the Programs Director, Executive Director, and in some instances, the Board of Directors.
Manage, motivate, and organize continuing training for Program Staff according to Kona Historical Society's established policies and procedures.
Work in coordination with Program Staff to ensure volunteers are recruited, trained and scheduled for various programs and their needs.
Work in coordination with Program Staff to ensure all needs for programs are met, including the maintenance of supplies, printed materials, and other operational needs.
Work in coordination with Executive Director and Development Director to create interpretive/marketing collateral for visitors.
Plan, schedule, and chair project/team meetings as neededBuild relationships with school communities to facilitate field trips and other similar educational programs in collaboration with the Programs Coordinator and Programs Assistant.
Evaluate public programs.
Oversee the routine maintenance and repair of the historic landscape and structures
Advanced and non-routine historic preservation projects are overseen in coordination with the Program Director
Oversee the care of heritage animals used in interpretive programs
Address concerns from visitors, volunteers, staff and other members of the Leadership Team.
Other duties as assigned.
Exempt, salaried, full time hours, 40 hours a week. Healthcare, vacation and benefits package. Opportunities for advancement and professional development are available.
To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to khs@konahistorical.org with "Public Programs Manager" in the subject line.
Stone Oven Baker
Salary: $12.50/hour, Part Time
Like working outside? Like working with other people? Have a "can do" attitude? Kona Historical Society is seeking a Bread Baker that can work in cooperation with an Assistant Baker baking bread in a wood-fired stone oven. You would be required to build and light the oven fire, prepare the bread dough, teach adults and children about the history of bread baking in Hawaii and how to form dough into loaves, bake the bread, oversee selling the bread, and stock supplies for the next bake. May also require some wood splitting with a gas-powered wood splitter. A Baker needs to be comfortable directing and working with other people. This person will work with the public, the Assistant Baker and the Program Director. Expect to work approximately 2-3 hours on Wednesdays for shopping and fire-building prep; and approximately 8 hours on Thursdays for baking.
General responsibilities are as follows:
Oversees customer relations during Portuguese Stone Oven Baking Program.
Oversees school group interaction and teaching baking methods.
Co-sets up sales tent area and oven area.
Splits and hauls wood.
Works in a friendly and cooperative manner with volunteers and visitors.
Works with Baker's Assistant in the morning to mix dough, roll dough, and put loaves in oven.
May be asked to work a special holiday bread bake.
REQUIREMENTS:
Lift 40 pounds
Stand for an 8 hour shift
Be able to work outdoors
Have reliable transportation
Be at work on time
Accomplish simple cashiering duties
Conform to appearance and safety requirements
Enjoy working with people
Display an outgoing and pleasant attitude
Display patience and natural friendliness at all times
Show an ability and willingness to learn on the job
Have great customer service
The ideal candidate for this position will enjoy working outside, sharing and preparing traditional Portuguese baked goods, takes great satisfaction from the benefit this program provides to the local residents, school children and visitors, and will find motivation from contributing to a community-based non-profit organization whose programs collect, preserve and share Kona’s stories and Kona’s unique sense of place.
Please submit resume, via e-mail to: kuulani@konahistorical.org and include "Stone Oven Baker" in the subject line. Selected applicants will be contacted. We are regretfully unable to respond to phone calls and emails regarding the status of applications and the recruiting process.
Operations Assistant
Salary: $12/hour, Part Time
Kona Historical Society’s Operations Assistant provides and administrative support to the Operations Coordinator, the Executive Director and, as needed, provides assistance to other Directors of the Kona Historical Society, a small, but growing non-profit museum.
The Operations Assistant should enjoy working with a team of dedicated museums professionals, meeting new people, and making a difference in big and small ways at a community-based arts and culture organization. Strong organizational skills are a must and the candidate should have the ability to prioritize and organize multiple activities. They will possess strong typing skills, proven accuracy and attention to detail with the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines. General responsibilities are as follows:
Office assistance duties include office maintenance, assisting with supply purchases, and assisting technical support issues.
Customer service duties include answering phones, voicemails, and general email inquiries.
Other duties as assigned.
Part time hours, Monday through Friday, not to exceed 19 hours can be expected during the probation period of 90 days. May be asked to work some weekends and evenings for special events. Opportunities for advancement and professional development. Preferred candidate will be highly organized, efficient, and attentive to detail, with excellent follow-up skills; possess excellent communication skills to interact and effectively deal with museum patrons, donors, Board members, as well as with museum staff and volunteers; has the proven ability to meet deadlines; is an organized and supportive team player; and has an appreciation for and understanding of Kona’s history and unique sense of place.
Please send brief description about your interests in the position and relevant previous experience to khs@konahistorical.org. Please include “Operations Assistant” in the subject line.
Museum Program Staff – Multiple Positions Available
Salary: Minimum Wage, Part Time
Do you enjoy “talking story” with Hawaii’s visitors and residents? Do you get excited about sharing Kona’s rich history and culture? Do you have experience providing high quality customer service? Then you should consider joining our team at Kona Historical Society! We’re hiring for multiple part-time positions at our museum sites in South Kona: the Kona Coffee Living History Farm and the HN Greenwell Store Museum. The positions’ primary responsibilities may one or more of the following:
Collecting museum admission and gift shop retail sales
Orienting visitors to the museum sites and surrounding area
Presenting costumed living history programs
Interpreting the museums’ historic structures and landscapes for visitors and residents
Leading education programs for local school children
Scheduling is flexible. Available positions include on-call (one or two shifts per month) and regular, part-time (up to 20 hours per week). Previous experience in retail, public speaking, youth education, tour guiding, customer service, and/or knowledge of Kona’s history and culture is preferred; however, extensive training will be provided. Ability to speak Japanese is a huge plus.
Please send brief description about your interests in the position and relevant previous experience to gavin@konahistorical.org. Please include “Museum Program Staff” in the subject line.