ABOUT US

The Oregon Historical Society is dedicated to making Oregon’s long, rich history visible and accessible to all. For more than a century, the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and rich as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.

The OHS Research Library is committed to providing broad access to its collections for teaching, learning, and research, both onsite in our newly renovated downtown Portland library and online through robust digital collections and digital history websites. The library holds the largest collection of archival and published materials relating to the history of Oregon, including the historical regions of the Oregon Country and the Oregon Territory. Our collections serve as a foundation for scholars, teachers, students, and the general public to research and reflect on our state and regional history. The resources and staff of the OHS Research Library play a significant role in fulfilling OHS’s mission to “preserve our state's history and make it accessible to everyone in ways that advance knowledge and inspire curiosity about all the people, places, and events that have shaped Oregon.” 

The Oregon Historical Society practices and promotes inclusiveness. We honor the diverse strengths, needs, voices, and backgrounds of all members of our community and are committed to the equitable treatment of all people and the elimination of discrimination in all its forms. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from diverse candidates. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit the following materials at:  Oregon Historical Society - Job Opportunities 

· Cover letter addressing how your personal and professional experiences have prepared you for this position

· Resume

Employment is contingent on passing a background check.

SUMMARY

The Oregon Encyclopedia Fact Checker verifies the accuracy of all facts, claims, and quoted material in the Oregon Historical Society’s online encyclopedia entries and essays before publication and makes a record of that verification in the Oregon Encyclopedia online editorial workshop. This part-time, 10-hour-week position may be remote (must live in Oregon).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Uses primary and secondary sources to verify facts, figures, titles, proper names, dates, places, directions and distances, and historical claims and superlatives in Oregon Encyclopedia (OE) entries and essays, as provided by the Sr. Digital History Manager & Editor.

2. Records all discrepancies and queries found in the assigned OE entries in the OE editorial Workshop. 

JOB DUTIES

· Makes timely progress with assigned tasks and meets deadlines. 

· Reports progress to Sr. Digital History Manager & Editor on an as-needed basis.

· Guided by OHS’s mission in daily work, and aspires to enact the Society’s values of integrity, invitation, equity and inclusion, cultural humility, accessibility, and learning. Adheres to OHS policies.

· Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation with all OHS staff, volunteers, and interns.

· Respectfully takes direction from supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be familiar with finding and working with archival and research materials, including books, newspapers, government documents, and online databases, such as census records, genealogies, pioneer records, etc. Must have the ability to identify facts and claims in an entry. Must be able to identify reputable, suitable secondary sources, including those online. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

· Experience working with a broad range of research materials and secondary sources in history or a related field, preferably connected to the history of Oregon. 

· Must have some experience in interpreting archival and research materials, including newspapers and government documents, and to validate facts and claims. 

· Must be able to identify and utilize reputable and suitable secondary sources, including online sites and databases.

LANGUAGE SKILLS 

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret historical documents, such as census records, city directories, manuscript materials, and scholarly secondary sources. Ability to communicate clearly in written form.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Has moderate computer job skills including logging on to systems, ability to communicate by email, and ability to compose documents.

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

This role may be performed at the Oregon Historical Society location or remotely (if the employee lives in Oregon). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

The OHS has adopted a policy where all employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Employees may request an exception from vaccination because of a disability or sincerely held religious beliefs from the HR department. New employees must submit proof of vaccination or a valid exception request by their first day of work.