Program Supervisor in Elk River, Minnesota at Minnesota Historical Society

JOB TITLE: Program Supervisor, Adult & Special Programming, Oliver Kelley Farm

LOCATION: Oliver H. Kelley Farm, 15788 Kelley Farm Road, Elk River, MN 55330

COMPENSATION: Typical starting range $57,054.40 to $71,298.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

STATUS & HOURS: Full-time, regular position (approximately 2,080 annual hours). Typical schedule is 40 hours a week, Monday - Friday, with alternating Saturdays.

BENEFITS: Eligible to participate in State Employee Group Insurance Program and a retirement program with employer contribution. Generous vacation and sick time accruals

with additional paid holidays.

DESIGNATION: Supervisory

POSTING DATE: July 29, 2026

DEADLINE DATE: August 13, 2026

TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society’s career center at www.mnhs.org/jobs and include a resume and cover letter by the

application deadline date.

DESCRIPTION: This position exists to develop public programming for the site, provide direct supervision of site interpretive staff, and coordinate daily program operations.

SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) Plan and implement public programs, including research, format selection, scheduling, publicity, delivery, and evaluation in collaboration with other Program Supervisors, with an emphasis placed on programming designed to engage adult audiences; 2) Supervise interpretive program staff in collaboration with other Program Supervisors; 3) Perform administrative tasks related to the implementation of public programs in the Kelley Farm’s programming areas in conjunction with the Program Supervisor; 4) Oversee the site operations as part of a site leadership team; 5) Provide for the safe and secure daily operation of the site.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, museum studies, agricultural science, or related field, or equivalent experience.

• Four years of experience developing educational programs and resources in a historical/cultural community organization.

• Previous experience supervising staff at a historical, educational, cultural organization, or similar organization.

• Experience writing work plans and actively managing employee performance to ensure success towards organizational goals.

• Experience with agriculture, gardens, or landscapes.

• Ability to conduct programs and oversee operations; to organize work plans, prepare budgets, spend within approved budgets, use the financial software, and keep records.

• Strong human relations, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

• Strong customer service background.

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Strong organizational skills.

• Understanding of security, safety, and emergency procedures.

• Ability to resolve problems quickly and independently.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule.

• Ability and willingness to travel.

• Valid driver’s license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of policies and procedures of the Minnesota Historical Society.

• Creating partnerships and relationships within an organization and with external partners.

• Experience in maintaining historic landscapes.

• Experience with animal caretaking and management.

• Knowledge of Project Management principles.

• Two years of experience in managing daily operations and programs of a historic site or similar facility.

• Ability to meet changing expectations and priorities at a seasonal site that requires year-round management, care, and planning.

• Demonstrated ability to plan for short-term and long-term development of programs.

• Demonstrated ability to recruit, hire, train, motivate, and oversee staff and contract presenters and performers.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and to cooperate with other professionals.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct multiple concurrent projects.

• Knowledge of informal learning theories and experience with interpretive methods and techniques.

• Intermediate knowledge of Minnesota history and cultural diversity issues.

Should you have questions about the application process, email humanresources@mnhs.org or call MNHS Job Line at 651-259-3181.

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.