Many of the towns here do have a historian and it is generally an appointed position with no stipend and no budget to speak of. The nominee (or victim, whichever the case may be) is generally approved by the town's selectmen or town administrator. The qualifications aren't necessarily that someone needs to be a professor or librarian but a citizen with a willingness to work to preserve the history of the town.
As with the case of Alton, there is no real job description or criteria that must be met. It is something that I am considering taking on because there has been no one in the position for a few years now and there's some things sliding by us that should be given attention. I am a contractor for the town serving as the meeting recorder for several boards and committees, so I am probably more aware of the need than some folks in our community.
The position isn't that of someone with an unlimited knowledge of the town's history - there's plenty of people in town already that I wouldn't dare to compete with on that level; they would "smoke" me in no time. Besides, I'd much rather listen to them - they are the true treasures of this town.
However, I am resourceful and know the workings of the town. I would be able to network the resources here so that others could easily access them via the web, by email or by a phone call. My goal would be to preserve the historic artifacts of the town, keep record of our resources, and be a liaison to the schools and civics groups. My goal isn't to work on everyone's genealogy project but to direct people looking for information on where they might find it.
I have already reached out to teachers in our community and some of the locals (the local history buffs) to get their input on what they would like to see in the position. I am working with the town's executive admin to write up a job description and goals based on the input I receive and by researching what other town's historians do - or don't do - before I jump in.
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