Dear Jerry,
While your point is well taken, it is a sign of the value placed on history
and historians by many communities. Funded largely by county government,
most county historical societies in this part of the State are able to
offer even more embarassing wages. Given the paucity of jobs for
historians, they (suprisingly) are usually able to fill them with
competent, if not always credentialed people. Needless to say, given the
difficulty of keeping body and soul together on such wages, burnout and
turnover rates are high. Nonetheless, I was happy to post this opening for
the CCHS Board and insisted that they include a salary range, however low,
so potential applicants could apply with their eyes open.

Wayne Miller


Jerry Reed writes:

> I don't want to sound too rude. But, I couldn't resist commenting on this
> job posting.  If this is a full-time position, how in the world are they
> going to find anyone interested in working for those wages?  I am surprised
> that people still offer wages that low for someone with a Master's Degree.
> If I didn't know better, I would think it was Cooperative Extension offering
> the position. Amazing!!!
>
>
> Jerry Reed
> Volunteer Coordinator
> Otsego and Lewis County NY GenWeb Sites
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A LISTSERV list for discussions pertaining to New York State history.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Wayne Miller
> Sent: Friday, August 11, 2000 3:13 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Job listing
>
> Executive Director
> Clinton County Historical Association
> Plattsburgh, NY
>
> The Clinton County Historical Association  (CCHA) located in Plattsburgh,
> NY - the gateway to the Adirondack Park - has an exciting opportunity for
> an Executive Director.  The focus of CCHA includes interpreting the area's
> history from the earliest recorded times (1600s) to the present day through
> its collection of paintings, maps, furniture and decorative arts.  The
> decisive Battle of Plattsburgh in 1814, the culminating event in a century
> of naval warfare on Lake Champlain, is highlighted through fascinating
> underwater archeological discoveries - the current focus of work among a
> number of museums and other associations with which the CCHA Executive
> Director will closely collaborate with.
>
> The Executive Director will be responsible for directing the operation of
> the CCHA, management and development of the museum collections, facilities,
> fundraising, and public relations.  The organizational structure is a
> nonprofit educational corporation with the incumbent reporting to a Board
> of Trustees. We participate in regional cooperative efforts to digitize
> historical materials for use in the schools and elsewhere.
>
> We seek an experienced, charismatic leader with demonstrated experience in
> successful grant writing, fundraising, and curating - preferably in a
> similar environment.  Excellent planning and organizational skills are
> essential as is the ability to interact effectively with Board Members,
> Staff, Volunteers, Government agencies and the public.  A master's degree
> in an appropriate academic area is desired and/or a combination of relevant
> higher education and professional museum work.
>
> Interested candidates should email their resume and salary requirements
> (expected hiring range $22-25,000) to: Sandra Lowe, Board Search Committee,
> [log in to unmask], or fax your resume to: 518-561-0340 (call prior to
> faxing unless it is after 4:00p.m. EST)
>