The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, with the support of the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals, is initiating a project to document leaders in the field of conservation and environmentalism in Pennsylvania.

PHMC seeks an experienced researcher to undertake the initial work of the project: documenting the career of Karl Mason, an official in the Pennsylvania Department of Health (1952-66) regarded as Pennsylvania’s first environmental administrator, through both archival research and oral history interviews with Mason family members and one or more colleagues.

Graduate level work in environmental history or a related field and excellent skills in oral and written communication are required. The ideal candidate will have broad understanding of the field of environmental history, knowledge of 20th century environmental history in Pennsylvania, and experience with oral history. Project deliverables include a series of interviews suitable for archiving (including interview summaries and transcripts); a short (c. 1500 word) article on Mason’s life and work, suitable for publication in Pennsylvania Heritage, PHMC’s quarterly magazine; a presentation at the PAEP 2006 annual meeting, to be held May 17-19, in State College, Pennsylvania; a 5-10 page document outlining the state of environmentalism in Pennsylvania at the mid 20th century; and a list of photographs, documents, and artifacts relating to Mason’s career.

The fee for services is negotiable, and depends on the researcher’s background and experience, as well as the number of interviews to be conducted. Separate funds are available for travel expenses, as are funds for transcribing the interviews, although the researcher is expected to audit check the transcripts.

Work will start on or about October 15, 2005 and will conclude on or about May 31, 2006.

Send a resume and cover letter, outlining background, experience, and usual daily rates to: Linda Shopes, Bureau of Archives and History, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street – PL, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0053.

9/23/2005