Historical Research Specialist

Position Overview

Join a World Class Institution!! The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) is hiring a Lincoln Historian. This position supports the agency to interpret Lincoln’s Life and legacy, Illinois history and the civil war. The ideal candidate is a great collaborator, highly motivated and possess excellent written and oral communication skills. We invite qualified applicants to apply for the position of Lincoln Historian and help ALPLM continue to chronicle the life of one of our nation’s greatest Presidents and the history of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Performs detailed research on Lincoln, his family, and associates, as well as the Civil War and America in the 19th Century.
• Collaborates with agency staff in planning exhibits and expanding collections including conducting research for and writing exhibit text and catalogues.
• Speaks before professional and lay groups on Illinois history.
• Serves as an internal and external consultant.
• Provides professional assistance to authors, teachers, and students using the research facilities of the library.
• Consults with staff and other state agencies on displays and exhibits to disseminate historical information from the collection.
• Seeks supplemental funding for historical research and its dissemination, completes grant applications.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonable within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Ph.D. with a major in Illinois and/or American history, plus two years of professional experience in the field of historical research and writing or two years of professional experience in teaching college courses, OR requires a master's degree with a major in Illinois and/or American history, plus four years of professional experience in the field of historical research and writing or four years of professional experience in teaching college courses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) years of thorough knowledge of Illinois history, historical research methods, and the authenticity and significance of printed manuscripts. 
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience in conducting historical research and historical writing. 
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience in writing and delivering speeches. 
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience in researching, interpreting, and presenting historical information. 
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience in applying historical research methods to write and edit books and articles. 
• Prefers two (2) years of formal or hands-on training in professional publications standards in both traditional and digital formats.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience in supervising subordinates and temporary special project workers to prepare reports on professional work done.
• Prefers ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, fellow historians, and professional and lay groups.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires the ability to keep and maintain an agency supplied cell phone.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The ALPLM is passionate in or mission to inspire civic engagement through the diverse lens of Illinois history and sharing with the world the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.  As caretakers of a one-of-a-kind collection of artifacts, we consider our work to learn, teach and share history a great honor. The people of the ALPLM strive to employ innovate approaches to create a positive impact for the future, as it can be inspired by the past.  As preservationists of Illinois' diverse history, we strive to build, maintain, and make accessible a growing record of history for today's inquisitive explorers as well as those who shall, in the future, rely on our efforts.  Our learning-centered agency insists on the values of honesty and integrity, intentional leadership, equitable collaboration and transparent accountability.  The ALPLM boasts pristine facilities, a creative environment, and a professional staff with a variety of backgrounds and talents.

As a State of Illinois employee, you will receive a robust benefits package that includes the following:

* A Pension Program

* Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision insurance

* 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)

* 13 paid holidays annually - 14 on even numbered years

* 12 weeks paid maternity / paternity leave

* Deferred Compensation Program  - A Supplemental retirement plan

* Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) and more

For more information about our benefits please follow this link https//www2.illinois.gov/coms/benefits/pages/default.aspx