AARCH Seeks Camp Santanoni Historic Site Manager

Full-time, two-year term contract, renewable upon continued funding, Summer Staff Positions Also Available

Santanoni Interpretive Coordinator, Jennifer Betsworth, leading a tour on the main camp’s porch overlooking Newcomb Lake.

About AARCH: Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) is the nonprofit historic preservation organization for New York State’s Adirondack region. Formed in 1990, AARCH has a mission to promote better public understanding, appreciation and stewardship of the Adirondacks’ unique and diverse architectural heritage. We preserve the architecture and communities of the Adirondacks through education, action, and advocacy. AARCH has an active and engaged membership of over 1300. AARCH membership is made up of people who care about the region’s architecture, communities, history, and quality of life. Our members are year- round and seasonal residents, organizations, local governments, businesses, and others who love the Adirondack region. AARCH’s offices are in Keeseville (Clinton County), New York.

About Great Camp Santanoni: Camp Santanoni is a National Historic Landmark, located in the Adirondack Forest Preserve and in the Essex County town of Newcomb. AARCH manages interpretation and restoration projects at Camp Santanoni in partnership with the site owner, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and with significant support from the Town of Newcomb.

In 2000, New York State created the 32-acre Camp Santanoni Historic Area, committing to use the site for public educational and recreational purposes. This Historic Area sits within the larger 12,900-acre Santanoni Preserve that is part of the NYS Adirondack Forest Preserve. The 32-acre Historic Area consists of: a Main Camp complex, a collection of rustic buildings situated on secluded Newcomb Lake; a Gate Lodge complex at the entrance to the preserve; and an early 20th century model farm. These complexes are connected by the 5-mile Newcomb Lake Road, closed to motorized vehicles. Building of this great camp began in 1892 for Robert and Anna Pruyn of Albany. After New York State acquired the site in 1972 and added it to the Adirondack Forest Preserve, Santanoni sat vacant for more than 20 years with an uncertain fate.

Adirondack Architectural Heritage was founded, in part, to preserve and protect Camp Santanoni and has supported its preservation through education, action, and advocacy since 1990. For over 30 years, AARCH has hosted summer staff at Camp Santanoni who interpret the great camp for the public and complete hands-on preservation projects. AARCH has also created the volunteer Friends of Santanoni, who engage in hands-on volunteer projects at the site, help with different specialized tours and programs, and support the site through contributions and advocacy. Since creation of the Camp Santanoni Historic Area, a Unit Management Plan, and National Historic Landmark designation, more than $2.5 million in conservation work has been completed and thousands visit the site throughout the year. Learn more about Camp Santanoni at https://www.greatcampsantanoni.com/ and https://aarch.org/santanoni/.

Position Description: The Camp Santanoni Historic Site Manager is a new position created with grant funding to strengthen our management and interpretation of Camp Santanoni. This position will work with NYS DEC on projects within the 32-acre Camp Santanoni Historic Area, reporting to the Executive Director of AARCH. This position will be based in Keeseville and Newcomb with a hybrid work option and regular travel to Newcomb between June and October. Local accommodations may be available when in Newcomb.

Responsibilities:

Develop and administer comprehensive interpretive programs and exhibits, including determination of interpretive themes, audience identification, and special events, educational programs and other activities to fulfill the interpretation, with a particular focus on the people, stories, and themes currently under-represented in Camp Santanoni’s interpretive materials.
Deliver interpretive tours of the site, including the Gate Lodge, Farm, and Main Camp complexes
Engage in small hands-on maintenance projects as needed
Manage capital restoration and maintenance in coordination with the Executive Director and Santanoni Partners (AARCH, Town of Newcomb, NYS DEC)
Hire, train and supervise seasonal staff in coordination with the Executive Director
Work with the Santanoni Interpretive Coordinator and Santanoni Committee Chair to manage the Friends of Camp Santanoni volunteer group
Engage in public outreach and site marketing, in particular growing regional connections with partners such as the Adirondack Ecological Center at SUNY ESF, Newcomb Historical Museum, Adirondack Experience
Create and implement site fundraising plan
Communicate externally through the AARCH and Great Camp Santanoni websites, email newsletters, and social media
Update and produce printed materials for the site as needed

Primary Objectives:

Expand static and dynamic interpretive offerings, including signage (orientation, interpretation, etc) and special programming to draw new audiences
Advance capital restoration projects
Provide on-site leadership, training, and assistance to summer staff
Develop and coordinate a group of volunteers who can assist with hands-on or interpretive needs

Adirondack Architectural Heritage is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. AARCH encourages applications from all qualified individuals, in particular racial and ethnic minorities under-represented in our profession, and will consider all applications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Qualifications: Qualified applicants will demonstrate educational background and/or professional experience working in museums, historic sites, and/or historic preservation. The competitive candidate will enjoy regular interactions with the public, be self-motivated and well organized with strong time management skills, an excellent communicator in writing and public speaking, comfortable with social media, proficient in digital photography and Microsoft Office with a willingness to learn new computer programs, comfortable working independently and in a rural community. A valid driver’s license and personal vehicle is required (travel reimbursement at federal rates).

Physical position requirements include the ability to travel 5 miles one-way into the Santanoni main camp by foot or bicycle (only limited administrative motorized access allowed on Newcomb Lake Rd into camp).

Compensation: This position is a two-year contract employment role, renewable upon continued funding. The budgeted salary range is $44,000-46,000, depending on experience, with an available hybrid work schedule that includes at least half-time on-site between June and October. AARCH provides full individual health care benefit coverage, including vision and dental, a 403b retirement plan with a contribution match up to 3% of salary. We also offer 2 weeks vacation after 6 months (rising to 3 weeks after one year of employment), 12 sick days and 13 paid holidays per year.

To Apply: Please submit the following to Erin Tobin, Executive Director, via email erin@aarch.org, by Friday, March 3, 2023, with the subject line “Camp Santanoni Historic Site Manager Application”: