Careers

The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), formed in 1836, is an agency in Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet.  The KHS campus has three sites in historic downtown Frankfort:  The Old State Capitol; the Kentucky Military History Museum; and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History serving as KHS headquarters with a signature museum, exhibits, library, research facilities, object and archival collections, museum store, and more.  KHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has American Alliance of Museums accreditation. To learn more about the Kentucky Historical Society, please visit https://history.ky.gov.

The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is seeking an Archives Administrator to join our Historical Resources Division.  The Archives Administrator fulfills the mission of the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) by ensuring that the institution maintains the highest standards in the care, accessibility, and development of its archival and oral history collections. As an American Alliance of Museums-accredited institution and a Smithsonian Affiliate, KHS requires meeting standards of excellence, and this position plays a key leadership role in upholding those standards.

The Archives Administrator provides administrative and tactical support within the Historical Resources Division, with a focus on leading the activities of the archival and oral history teams. This role is highly collaborative, working closely with internal colleagues and supporting collecting organizations across the Commonwealth. Under the direction of the Director of Historical Resources, the Archives Administrator implements strategic initiatives that enhance archival development and access across the agency.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: 

• Lead efforts to maintain, preserve, and improve access to the KHS archival and oral history collections.
• Participate in the KHS Collections Committee review process.
• Propose and implement policy and procedural updates related to archives and oral histories.
• Collaborate with the curatorial team on the review and revision of key documents, including the collections management policy, disaster plan, and collections plans.
• Oversee archival backlog processing and digitization initiatives aligned with KHS collecting priorities.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with potential donors and partner organizations to strengthen the collection.
• Recommend archival conservation priorities.
• Supervise and engage directly in archival processing and related activities.
• Support the interpretation and use of archival collections in exhibitions, publications, public programs, and scholarly research.
• Represent KHS at professional events, public programs, and partner institution activities.
• Supervise the oral history team, guiding project priorities in alignment with the agency’s collections plan.
• Oversee the administration of the Kentucky Oral History Commission (KOHC).
• Collaborate with curators and exhibit teams to safely and effectively display archival
• Supervise and mentor the archival and oral history staff, including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.

Click to see the full position description.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as library management software (e.g., OCLC WorldShare) and collections/content management systems (e.g., PastPerfect, CONTENTdm, Omeka, etc.).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail
• Knowledge of archival standards
• Adherence to professional codes of ethics, collections care best practices/standards, and involvement in field-related organizations.
• Knowledge of Kentucky history desired. Experience working with diverse community organizations and volunteers.
• Supervisory or project management skills

Minimum Requirements: 

Education: Minimum of Master’s degree in Archival Administration, or Library Science, Public History, History or a related field. 

Experience: Five (5) years of experience working in a library special collections or archival setting.   

Substitute Experience for Education: additional experience will substitute for required education on a year-for-year basis. 

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to lift materials of up to 40 lbs. Must be able to safely handle fragile archival materials.
• Must be able to remain stationary (sitting or standing) for long periods with other periods of  frequent bending, stooping, and reaching.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements

• Knowledge of Kentucky history desired. 

This is a full-time position located in Frankfort, Ky., that reports to the Director of Historical Resources. This is an unclassified (non-merit) position pursuant to KRS 18A.115(1)(u).  The annual salary for this position is $46,252.61 with a 5% increase following the successful completion of a probationary period.  The regular schedule includes with a 37.5-hour workweek, and the position may require occasional evening, weekend, or holiday hours and travel as needed to support the programs and events of the Kentucky Historical Society.  Benefits include health and life insurance, optional dental and vision insurance, vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, retirement, and optional deferred compensation plans.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and current resume via email to khshr@ky.gov.  No telephone calls accepted.  The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 12, 2025. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered. 

KHS is an agency of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KHS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, age, pregnancy or related medical condition, marital or familial status, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, or genetic information in accordance with state and federal law.

Adecco is currently looking for a Visitor Services Associate. The Visitor Services Associate will work to fulfill the Kentucky Historical Society's mission and help colleagues throughout the organization succeed. The position plays an integral part on the Visitor Services team. The Visitors Services Associate serves as an initial point of contact with members of the Society and visitors of the Kentucky History Center and Museums. This position is cross-trained to serve in all KHS guest services areas – the 1792 Gift Store, admission desks at The Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Kentucky Old State Capitol, and the Kentucky Military History Museum, and with KHS rentals and special events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Greet visitors
• Sell tickets, merchandise, and memberships at museum reception desks, collect payments by accepting cash, check, or charge payments from customers, and make change for cash customers
• Balance cash drawer by counting cash at the beginning and end of a work shift
• Merchandise sales at 1792 Gift Store
• Answer telephone and direct calls to appropriate KHS staff
• Assist with special or rental events setups
• Provide information/directions to visitors of the Kentucky History Center and Museums on meeting locations, museums, and restroom locations
• Work as a member of the Visitors Services Team alongside other KHS teams to provide quality experiences for the Kentucky History Center and Museums visitors
• Provide a positive customer experience with fair, friendly, and courteous service

Qualifications:

Education/Experience: High school diploma or G.E.D. and one (1) year experience in customer service, retail, or clerical duties.

Communication: Ability to work with the Visitors Services team but also independently on several projects concurrently and must enjoy working with the general public and school groups/children.             

Computer/Other Skills: Basic computer skills, including internet, word processing, spreadsheets, and email. Point of Sale Altru database system experience a plus. Must be able to answer, transfer, and operate a multi-line phone system and return calls to guests promptly. Must be able to run a point-of-sale system, process credit card payments, and successfully balance cash drawer by counting cash at the beginning and end of a work shift.

Special Requirements: This is a part-time position with a work schedule of Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm with a 30-minute lunch. This position must be able to work occasional weeknight, Mondays, or holidays to provide for the needs of KHS. Saturdays and holidays that KHS is open are REQUIRED. Hours are subject to change.

Working Conditions:

• Work Environment:  This position shall work at reception desks at the Kentucky History Center and Museums or in the gift store on a rotating basis
• Physical Demands:  May be required to lift or move carts of materials and gift store products. Must be able to sit or stand for long periods. May occasionally ascend/descend stepladder for placement/removal of gift store sales products.

Competencies/Behavior Dimensions:

• Passion for Kentucky history: Passion for the KHS mission and core values: service, discovery, excellence, authenticity, stewardship. Possess the ability to communicate this passion to others.
• Service Focus:  We value our role in serving the public and work to ensure those services are exemplary.
• Discovery:  We value dialogue, discussion, education and scholarship. We value an organizational culture of discovery that inspires, engages and motivates learners of all ages.
• Excellence:  We value continuous improvement with the goal of excellence. To that end, we place high value on adhering to and shaping professional standards.
• Authenticity: We value integrity, legitimacy, and the power of the authentic. We therefore value research, collections and programs backed by fact.
• Stewardship:  We understand that stewardship is all about what you do with your resources and how you do it. As a result, we value the proper stewardship of Kentucky's historical assets, KHS financial and human resources, and the KHS mission.
• Be inclusive: Give opportunity to the history of all people. Encourage them to share their history and make it broadly accessible
• Be Innovative:  Create new ways to ignite the public's curiosity about history. Maximize the latest appropriate resources to implement them.
• Be Bold:  Don't be afraid to address controversial issues. Don't be afraid to take risks to accomplish organizational goals.
• Be Relevant: Identify the issues that matter today. Demonstrate how history can play a key role in their resolution.
• Embrace Diversity: Commitment to inclusiveness and empowerment. Demonstrates respect, equity and empathy for a diverse community.
• Professional Development: Actively participate in agency-approved internal and external professional development events, as needed or directed by the supervisor.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

THIS POSITION IS THROUGH ADECCO. To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.adeccousa.com/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records subject to federal contractor requirements and/or security clearance requirements.

Pay Details: $12.50 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Call 502-875-0195 to apply!