The Program Officer is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, engaging, and effective menu of literary-focused public humanities programs for Maryland Humanities. These include coordination of the Maryland Center for the Book, One Maryland One Book, and Veterans Book Groups.
The Program Officer reports to the Director of Programs, supervises assigned Program Coordinators and/or Assistants, and collaborates closely with other program staff, all Maryland Humanities staff, and the Program Committee of the Board.
Salary Range: $58,000–$62,000
FLSA Status: Exempt; Permanent; Full-time
Reports to: Director of Programs
Working Conditions: Hybrid
Supervisory Responsibilities: This position oversees and manages the Maryland Center for the Book Assistant
Duties/Responsibilities:
Program Management (95%)
• Managing all aspects of One Maryland One Book, Book Festival sponsorships, reading and discussion programs, as well as coordination of the Maryland Center for the Book, including program execution, personnel, budgeting, evaluation, funder reporting, volunteer recruitment and management, and contract execution
• Maintaining program excellence, expanding public appreciation of programs and their visibility, and increasing the number of participants and deepening their experience
• Maintaining evaluation and other data and reporting on program results each year
• Developing partnership opportunities, support networks, and program delivery systems that broaden and deepen programmatic impact through ongoing outreach
• As appropriate to reach Maryland Humanities’ Strategic Plan goals, developing and implementing new humanities programs in collaboration with other Program staff
• Helping to identify funding opportunities and assisting with preparation of proposals and reports to funders
External Relations (5%)
• Representing Maryland Humanities at appropriate One Maryland One Book, Book Festival, reading and discussion programs, and Maryland Center for the Book events, serving as a liaison with cultural, educational, and community groups across Maryland and the general public
• Representing Maryland Humanities at state and national meetings and conferences, as well as on committees and task forces as they relate to Maryland Humanities’ programming
Performing additional duties as assigned by the Director of Programs
Required Skills/Abilities:
• An interest in learning and enhancing skills that promote equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness, and an understanding of systems of oppression and their impact on community
• Passionate about the creation of inclusive spaces and to the equitable treatment of all—including participants, audiences, supporters, staff, and board—at every level of the organization
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency in executing tasks for internal as well as external audiences
• Ability to hold accountability and shared ownership of projects and tasks
Education and Experience:
• Proven and recurring success in the development, management, implementation, evaluation, and promotion of engaging humanities programs or relevant experience where comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities were gained
• Experience with large-scale event management preferred
Preferred Attributes and Qualities:
• Skilled in examining and re-engineering program operations and procedures
• Adaptable to change
• Strong communication and active listening skills with coworkers and a wide range of stakeholders
• Dependability and timeliness
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Ability to anticipate needs and align resources
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
• Maryland Humanities offices are located in Baltimore, MD. The office is open for staff to work from as needed. Each staff person is expected to join on-site team meetings at least 1 day per month
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer
• This position will be required to travel statewide as well as work some evenings and weekends (accommodations can be made for applicants without a vehicle)
Additional Details:
No one candidate will be perfect for this job. The skills and experience needed to be successful in this job exist on a spectrum. Frequently cited statistics show that candidates with disabilities, BIPOC candidates, women, and members of marginalized and/or systematically excluded groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Maryland Humanities is happy to leave that statistic in the past. No one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. Please just apply.
What we are offering
• The annual salary for this position is $58,000–$62,000.
• Employees are eligible for employer-provided health and dental insurance coverage (two plans offered, including one 100% employer paid), flex benefits, retirement (including a 4% employer contribution), monthly stipend to offset parking and/or work-from-home expenses, and annual funding for professional development.
• We have 21 days of vacation per year and 12 days of sick leave per year as well as access to advance and donated leave if needed
• Each employee has 15 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays. Access to holiday exchange (i.e. observing Eid Al-Adha instead of Christmas)
• We offer a sabbatical with up to 6 weeks after five years of service and up to 10 weeks after 10 or more years of service.
• We offer Extended Family and Medical Leave of 12 weeks with additional eligibility for 4 weeks of a gradual return to work
• We traditionally close the offices at the end of the year, Dec 24–Jan 1.
Maryland Humanities’ staff have established shared working values, linked here.
What to expect
Step one: All submissions will be reviewed and the initial candidate pool will be formed. Not all submissions will make it into the candidate pool. Once the pool of candidates is established, a brief phone interview will be set up with the Executive Director.
Step two: Remaining candidates will take part in an interview with members of the Maryland Humanities Team via Zoom or in-person depending on the state of the pandemic, and the comfort level of everyone involved. The final candidate will be selected after this interview.
Step Three: Selection and placement of the final candidate. Placement for this position is anticipated to occur in August/September 2022. Once the final candidate has accepted their offer of employment, all other applicants will be notified of their status.
To Apply: Please prepare the following materials: cover letter and résumé via email to hr@mdhumanities.org with the subject line as “Program Officer;” no phone calls please. For best consideration, applications are due by July 22. Search will remain open until filled.
Maryland Humanities is an equal opportunity employer. It is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, all terms and conditions of employment will be carried out without regard to race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, marital status, age, or disability. Maryland Humanities will not tolerate acts deemed to constitute discrimination or harassment based on gender, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.