Career Opportunities

Join Our Team

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley offers diverse and unique career opportunities ranging from support or professional, seasonal or year-round, and part-time or full-time. While some departments and positions require highly specialized education and experience, others seek individuals with more broad-based or skills-related backgrounds. An equal opportunity employer, the MSV offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits program. Thank you for your interest in employment at the MSV.

The MSV is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and competence. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions, genetic information of the employee or family member of the employee, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.

Trails Manager

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is growing! We are seeking an experienced Trails Manager to be responsible for maintenance of the MSV landscape outside the formal Glen Burnie Gardens. This includes the Trails, gardens around the Museum Galleries Building, and farm areas in multiple locations. The different landscape areas will be maintained according to best management practices as stated in the Landscape Management Plan.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required.
• Knowledge of pesticide management, arboriculture, and turf management. Appropriate certifications preferred.
• Knowledge of professional landscape or park and trails maintenance principles and practices.
• Knowledge of ornamental horticulture in all phases.
• Skill and ability to effectively use a variety of maintenance equipment such as tractors, backhoes, bush hogs, mowers, and chain saws as well as hand and power tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with the public and MSV colleagues and interact with a diverse group of people.
• Excellent organizational and management skills.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to use a computer, including Outlook and Word applications.

Essential duties and responsibilities include :

• Manage the daily maintenance of the Trails and the various MSV landscapes outside the formal gardens in accordance with the Landscape Management Plan.
• Supervise the installation and maintenance of any landscape features and trail surfaces.
• Coordinate the removal of invasive plant materials and installation of new plantings for the Trails system.
• Assist with maintenance of landscapes at the Hexagon House, Rose Hill, farms and satellite properties, working with contractors as needed
• Train and supervise Trails volunteers.
• Operate and maintain garden equipment (including heavy equipment and rentals) in a safe, effective manner.
• Assist in formal garden management tasks when needed.
• Assist with access to the site during emergency situations such as inclement weather.
• Assist with special events and other Museum activities (including exhibit installation) as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

The MSV offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, vision and life insurance, short and long-term disability, generous vacation allowance, paid holidays, and retirement plan. To apply please send cover letter, resume and three references to jhendren@themsv.org. Candidates who apply by April 19, 2024, will receive priority. Position will be posted until filled. Minimum starting salary is $45,000 annually and is commensurate with experience.

Manager of School & Student Programs

The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is seeking an experienced Manager of School and Student Programs. The Manager of School and Student Programs works with a dedicated team of education professionals to serve regional schools and students in engaging with the MSV’s collection, exhibitions, site, and resources. The manager will create, coordinate, facilitate, and evaluate pre-K – 12 school and student programs in collaboration with the Director of Education.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• BA in education, art education, museum studies, public history, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience managing educational programs in a museum or teaching in a formal or informal setting.
• Familiarity with museums and museum education practices, particularly interpretation, gallery teaching, and evaluation.
• Ability to lead collaboratively and work as part of team
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and manage multiple projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Outstanding organizational skills
• Ability to manage challenging situations with diplomacy and composure

Day-to-day responsibilities include :

• Develop, coordinate, and administer programming for school and student audiences ages pre-school to 18 to include educational activities, workshops, summer camps, and content for guided tours to coincide with the museum’s mission.
• Develop, promote, implement, and evaluate curricula for museum school programs both on and off-site to ensure they meet the needs of teachers and students, facilitate learning, and correlate to current standards.
• Manage school tours and field trips, including inquiries, reservations, invoices, receipts, correspondence, and evaluations.
• Maintain and develop relationships with area teachers and schools, including teacher professional development and related presentations.
• In collaboration with the Director of Education, train and lead part-time Educators and select volunteers.
• Conduct research on MSV collections, exhibitions, natural resources, and Shenandoah Valley topics as needed for Education Department projects, student tours, teacher programs, etc.
• Teach students with a wide range of abilities and backgrounds on and off the MSV campus.
• In collaboration with Arts & Education division colleagues, develop didactic and interpretive materials to support programming and gallery learning.
• Collaborate with other museum departments (marketing, security, special events, guest services, etc.) to ensure programs are marketed, staffed, and implemented.
• Actively engage in regional and national professional exchange through mentorships, online resources, continuing education, and conferences.
• Assist with adult and youth and family programs as needed.
• Assist with management and programming of the Makerspace studio.

The starting salary range is $45,000-$50,000 annually and is commensurate with experience. The MSV offers an excellent benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, generous vacation, holiday and sick leave, parental leave, and retirement plan. To apply forward cover letter, resume and three references to jhendren@themsv.org. Priority will be given to candidates who apply by May 24. Resumes accepted until filled.