Education Coordinator

About Us:

Established in 1894 and located at the Carnegie Library in Downtown, the DC History Center is a community-supported nonprofit organization which deepens understanding of our city’s past to connect, empower, and inspire. For more information visit dchistory.org.

In fulfillment of its mission, the DC History Center aims to recruit and retain outstanding staff members who bring diverse viewpoints and experiences, relevant skills and expertise, and deep passion for DC and its history, to their work. In keeping with our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement, the DC History Center determines and evaluates compensation and benefit packages, as well as all human resource policies, with a focus on equity, transparency, and fairness.

Position Summary:

The Education Coordinator, a temporary part-time position, supported by a grant from the Library of Congress, assists with all aspects of planning and executing National History Day in DC. The Education Coordinator is adept at handling multiple priorities and maintaining high productivity with accuracy and attention to detail; a proactive and customer service-oriented problem solver; and an excellent communicator. This position reports to the Manager of Education and works closely with the Deputy Director.

ABOUT NATIONAL HISTORY DAY

National History Day (NHD) is an annual project-based contest for students in grades 6-12. Students nationwide participate in a competition like a science fair but for history. The theme changes each year, but students exercise choice by selecting their own topic of interest to pursue as a class assignment, after school activity, or self-directed research. As the DC affiliate, the DC History Center runs a city-wide effort to provide access to relevant resources and content experts for students as they research, revise their work, and connect it to the year’s theme.

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain and manage NHD portal and online resources
• Collect, analyze, and prepare for presentation data from registration, participation, and program success
• Manage communications with NHD participants and educators
• Recruit NHD judges and track NHD judge recruitment efforts
• Provide staffing support during National History Day events, especially the DC contest (March 15), and National Contest (June 8-12)
• Accompany regional competition winners to the national contest at the University of Maryland, College Park
• Provide supplemental staffing support for DC History Conference (April 4-6)
• Assist with planning and executing a summer teacher intensive to orient local educators to National History Day, including creating materials for workshops with a focus on incorporating Library of Congress primary resources into teaching tools

Scheduling

This is a temporary, hybrid position currently budgeted for January – September 2025. In-person availability is required to staff NHD-related programs, which may include evenings and weekends. However, other tasks may be completed remotely on a flexible schedule after successful onboarding. The Education Coordinator will 20-25 hours per week, except during NHD event weeks, when additional hours may be required. We plan to renew and extend the position if funding allows.

Required Workdays

The Education Coordinator will provide logistical and staffing support for the programs relating to National History Day, which may include occasional evenings and weekends. In addition, full-time availability is required: National History Day in DC contest (March 15), the DC History Conference (April 4-6), National Contest at the University of Maryland (June 8–12), and the NHD Summer Intensive (date TBD).

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Proactive and adept at problem solving
• Disciplined approach to project management
• Punctuality, dependability, and reliability

Bonus Points:

• Familiarity with, and enthusiasm for, National History Day
• Familiarity with, and enthusiasm for, local DC history, attractions, and culture
• Experience in or interest in exploring a career in cultural heritage, including museum education, libraries, archives, and special collections

Perks:

• Temporary part-time employees receive pro-rated vacation and sick leave, and they are eligible for DC Paid Family Leave.
• The Central downtown location is easily accessible from all Metro lines, and employees may participate in the pre-tax commuter benefits program SmartBenefits.
• For cyclists, our facilities include secure on-site bike storage.
• Every employee also gets a professional quality headshot.
• Complimentary membership in the DC History Center is included, granting free or discounted access to thousands of partner museums and institutions across the US, among other benefits.