Deputy Community Museum Officer / Director of Center for Colorado Women's History

Two foundational things are true at History Colorado: We love Colorado. And we believe in the transformative power of history. We are a people-driven, history-centered movement building a better future. We are stronger when we do this together, building new knowledge and shared meaning that improves lives today and for our descendants.

As an agency of the State of Colorado and a non-profit organization, we are committed to serving all Coloradans. We offer access to our state’s history through enriching experiences at eleven museums and historic sites, with dynamic and relevant exhibits and activities. We work with school groups and young learners through field trips, day camps, and traveling programs. We’re also home to a free public research center, Colorado’s Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP), and the Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), the nation’s largest preservation program of its kind. We steward 15 million objects, photographs, and archival resources that make up the State’s collection, and serve tens of thousands of learners of all ages through dynamic programs.

We strive to be a place of belonging for all Coloradans. We’re committed to Colorado’s diverse communities through education, engagement, and access. We know we’re succeeding when more voices, perspectives, and experiences are part of History Colorado. It's our vision that every Coloradan feels rooted, draws strength from those who have come before us, and knows they belong in this place.

In pursuit of a more just and equitable Colorado, we embody the grounding virtues listed below as the foundation of all aspects of our work: our thinking, communication, process, outcomes, and evaluation. Our work is guided by, for, and of the communities we build, belong to, and serve, and we commit to:

• Being in Community

• Amplifying and Centering Voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

• Co-creation and Shared Authority

• Humility and Reflection

• Responsiveness and Flexibility

• Shared Destiny

We are Colorado. Together, our generational work centers communities, deepens knowledge and catalyzes the transformative power of history.

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans:

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• State of Health employee wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules and more.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: .

The Deputy Community Museum Officer provides strategic leadership, operational support, and organizational coordination for History Colorado’s Division of Community Museums, which encompasses seven museums and historic sites across the state. Reporting to the Chief Community Museum Officer, the Deputy works collaboratively with Community Museum directors and staff to advance strategic priorities, strengthen museum operations, steward resources, and cultivate relationships that support the long-term success of History Colorado’s community museums.

As part of this broader leadership role, the Deputy serves as the Director of the Center for Colorado Women’s History (CCWH), a Community Museum of History Colorado located in Denver. In this capacity, the Director provides leadership for the Center’s programs, operations, facilities, partnerships, and strategic initiatives. CCWH advances scholarship, research, exhibitions, tours, and adult and youth public programs that expand understanding and collective memory of the history of women in Colorado, connecting local stories to the broader history of women nationally and globally.

The Deputy Community Museum Officer/Director works across History Colorado to align community museum priorities with organizational strategy, identify opportunities for collaboration and resource development, and support the effective delivery of mission-driven programs and services. The position establishes and cultivates relationships with diverse communities, partners, funders, and stakeholders across Colorado to advance the work of the Community Museums division and the Center for Colorado Women’s History.

Work includes but is not limited to the following:

Job Duty 1: Strategic Planning and Support for Community Museum

• Partner with the Chief Community Museum Officer to provide strategic leadership for the Division of Community Museums and support division-wide goals.
• Collaborate with museum directors and teams across all seven Community Museums to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic plans, annual priorities, and initiatives.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and problem-solving support to Community Museum directors and staff on organizational, operational, programmatic, and strategic matters.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration across Community Museums and with other History Colorado divisions to identify shared opportunities and address operational challenges.
• Help establish systems, practices, and measures that support effective museum operations, program quality, community impact, and accountability.
• Represent the Community Museums division in organizational planning, cross-divisional initiatives, and external relationships.
  

• Partner with the Chief Community Museum Officer, museum directors, Finance, and Philanthropy to develop financial strategies supporting sustainability and growth.
• Provide leadership in annual budgeting, financial planning, resource allocation, and monitoring for division-wide initiatives.
• Collaborate with Community Museums and Philanthropy to identify, cultivate, and pursue philanthropic opportunities advancing museum priorities.
• Supervise the Community Museum Philanthropy Coordinator, guiding fundraising strategies (individual, foundation, corporate) and managing relationships with funders and community partners.
• Work closely with Community Museums to secure, implement, manage, and reconcile state, federal, and foundation grant programs.
  

• Serve as chief administrator and Director of the Center for Colorado Women’s History, directing day-to-day operations and long-term development.
• Lead staff and volunteers in planning, coordinating, and delivering the Center’s programs, exhibitions, tours, events, and visitor services.
• Develop and implement adult and youth educational programming in partnership with the CCWH educator and History Colorado staff.
• Play a lead role in History Colorado’s Bold Women. Change History. initiative, executing the annual speaker series, summit, and Rocky Mountain Women's History Symposium.
• Oversee museum gift shop and rental program operations, including revenue generation, inventory management, customer service, and coordination with History Colorado finance teams.
  

• Provide leadership for the stewardship and safe operation of the Center’s historic house, grounds, and related facilities.
• In partnership with Facilities, IT, Collections, and Security, plan capital projects and maintenance, ensuring on-site work meets Secretary of the Interior Standards for Preservation.
• Monitor facility needs, coordinate responses to operational and risk management issues, and implement disaster preparedness plans.
• Work with Collections to plan the exhibition and educational use of historic artifacts while ensuring proper climate control and collections care.
  

• Build and sustain meaningful relationships with diverse communities, cultural institutions, educational partners, funders, and government agencies throughout Colorado.
• Serve as spokesperson and ambassador for the Community Museums division and CCWH, stewarding the CCWH Advisory Committee.
• Commit to History Colorado’s Anti-Racism Grounding Virtues as the foundation of all work, ensuring programs are guided by, for, and of the communities served.
  

This position is advertised in line with the Governor’s executive order focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training, or past experiences.

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

Six (6) years of full-time professional experience with a primary focus in museum administration, historic preservation, cultural facility management, public history leadership, or program/operations management in a cultural or historical institution.
Add any other important relevant experience needed
Part-time experience will be pro-rated.

OR

Education (Allowable Substitutions):
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in History, Historic Preservation, Museum Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field will substitute for 2 years of required experience.
A Master's degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field will substitute for 4 years of required experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong background in history, with general knowledge of Colorado history and women's history.
• Proven experience in multi-site cultural facility operations, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
• Experience in fundraising, grant writing, grant administration, and restricted budget management.
• Familiarity with historic preservation standards (Secretary of the Interior Standards) and collections management databases (e.g., Argus).
• Proven track record supervising professional staff, fellows, and volunteer teams.
• An enthusiasm to explore ideas, amplify diverse voices, and cultivate relationships across Colorado communities.

• Valid Driver's License: Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License for required statewide travel.
• Background Check: Successful completion of a pre-employment Criminal Background Check (CBI).
• On-Call Status: On-call status required for historic property security, fire/burglar alarms, and emergency response.
• Work Schedule: Circumstances require working outside regular business hours (evenings/weekends) for special events, symposiums, and community meetings.
  

• Clear understanding and experience in museum administration, strategic management, and fiscal stewardship.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills across diverse public and professional audiences.
• Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, create systems, and engage stakeholders.
• Commitment to History Colorado’s Anti-Racism Grounding Virtues (co-creation, shared authority, humility, in community).
• Highly resourceful team player with the ability to be extremely effective independently.
  

• Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience covering multiple areas in this announcement, showing varied community involvement.
• Job Fit – Alignment of past professional experience with the specific business needs of History Colorado and CCWH.
  

Complete Applications must include:

• Cover Letter: Required – Attached as a separate document detailing your interest and qualifications for this dual leadership role.
• Resume: Required – Attached as a separate document detailing relevant professional work history.
• College Transcripts: Required if using education to meet or substitute for Minimum Qualifications (attached to online application).
  

This position is not part of the classified personnel system; applications will be accepted from Residents and Non-Residents of Colorado. Incumbent will be required to live in and complete work for History Colorado within Colorado.

History Colorado is committed to anti-racism practices across its institution and outlined in our grounding virtues. As such we encourage members of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) LGBTQ+ and differently abled communities to apply for this position. To see these virtues click this link: (Anti-Racism Grounding Virtues).

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application, but will be used to supplement information to the application. Part of the selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide Human Resources with an official disposition of any charges.

Fair Pay & Compensation: History Colorado is committed to pay equity. The posted salary range represents our good faith estimate for this role. Final offers are determined by a comprehensive salary analysis in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, considering factors such as a candidate’s relevant experience, education, work location and internal equity.

ADAAA Accommodations: History Colorado is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the ADAAA, we provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that applicants with disabilities can participate fully in the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation to complete the application, participate in an interview, or perform any other part of the selection process, please contact our ADAAA Coordinator at Jesus Garcia (303) 866-2136 or email Jesus.l.garcia@state.co.us. We are here to ensure you have a positive and accessible experience.

E-Verify Participation: We utilize E-Verify to verify the work authorization of all new team members. Following your job offer, you'll need to complete Section 1 of the I-9 form by your start date. Per federal regulations, we’ll also need to review your original identity and work eligibility documents within your first three days on the job. For more details on your rights and responsibilities, check out .