Lead Interpretive Planner

National Museum of Wildlife Art; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Austin seeks an experienced Senior Interpretive Planner to lead advanced planning and research for exhibits across state parks, visitor centers, and outdoor exhibits. You will oversee stakeholder reviews, concept development, and interpretive writing under limited supervision.

The role includes project management, budgeting, vendor evaluation, and coordinating with the Exhibit Shop Manager to ensure projects stay on time and on budget.

Qualifications

• Five years experience in interpretation and/or written interpretive content development, or similar related experience.
• Two years experience managing complex interpretive and/or museum exhibition projects, or similar related experience.
• Master's degree may substitute for one year of required experience in the field or managing complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced planning and research for exhibits in Texas State Parks and related venues.
• Lead project management tasks including budgeting, scheduling, vendor evaluation, and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Supervise and mentor the interpretive planning team and coordinate with the Exhibit Shop Manager.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Stakeholder coordination

Interpretive writing

Leadership

Research

Education

Bachelor's degree in History or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Description
TPWD MISSION

HIRING CONTACT: Stephen Garrett, [phone], Email: [e-mail]

PHYSICAL WORK ADDRESS: 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under the direction of the State Parks Interpretation and Exhibits Branch this position is responsible for performing advanced (senior-level) planning and research work. Responsibilities include but not limited to project management and advanced interpretive planning for exhibits in Texas State Parks. Includes work in museums, visitor centers, nature centers and outdoor exhibits as well as publications and other types of media. Advanced planning work includes stakeholder consulting and collaboration, theme and concept development, research and interpretive writing. Project management includes stakeholder reviews, scope development, coordination with purchasing teams, budgeting, vendor evaluation, implementation and general oversight assuring projects are completed on time and on budget. Provides regular updates on project status to Exhibit Shop Manager and works closely with Exhibit Shop Manager to oversee interpretive planning team's budget. Provides general oversight of all capital interpretive projects. Supervises the work of the interpretive planning team and assigns projects to team members. Serves in training and mentoring capacity to ensure highest statewide standards of interpretive writing occurs, including assisting in the development of appropriate interpretive messaging in park operational signage. Assists in the development and implementation of statewide interpretive signage guidelines, standards and tools. Assists in the coordination of annual minor repair projects. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs additional duties as assigned. Complies with all Agency, Division and Branch rules, regulations and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree, with major coursework in History, Natural Sciences, Environmental Education, Geography, Anthropology, American Studies, Museum Studies, Education, or related field.

Experience:

Five years experience in the field of interpretation and/or written interpretive content development, or similar related experience;

Two years experience managing complex interpretive and/or museum exhibition projects, or similar related experience.

NOTE: Experience may have occurred concurrently.

Licensure:

Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid class "C" State driver's license.

NOTE: Retention of position contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required license.

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTIONS:

Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree may substitute for one year of the required experience in the field of interpretation and/or written interpretive content development OR managing complex interpretive and/or museum exhibition projects.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in the field of Interpretation or related field.

Experience:

Three years experience working in a conservation/resource protection setting;

Two years experience working in a supervisory capacity.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of agency mission;
• Knowledge of agency procedures and policies regarding performance planning, evaluation and scheduling/project management;
• Knowledge of cutting-edge best practices and standards and techniques for presenting information to the public;
• Knowledge of ADA regulations, archeological regulations, agency policies and federal, state and local laws as they apply to the presentation of information;
• Knowledge of cultural resources subjects: history, geography, culture, and archeology;
• Knowledge of natural resources subjects: geology, ecology, and other natural sciences;
• Knowledge of best practices and standards in interpretation both live and static;
• Knowledge of best practices in the museum field;
• Knowledge of design principles, especially graphic design, as they relate to museums, exhibits and interpretation;
• Knowledge of best practices and standards in interpretation and interpretive writing;
• Skill in using computer software such as MS Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Skill in verbal and written communication, including both internal business communication and exhibit content writing;
• Skill in project management tasks including budgeting, scheduling, time management and meeting deadlines;
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with co-workers and work-related contacts;
• Skill in providing quality customer service in a courteous and professional manner;
• Skill in using primary, secondary, and scholarly source research on a variety of topics;
• Skill in complex strategic planning;
• Skill in facilitating group planning sessions and resolving conflicts;
• Skill in supervising, assigning and editing the work of others;
• Skill in training others in both formal and informal settings;
• Ability to write specialized interpretive text for a wide range of exhibit, museum, and signage projects;
• Ability to understand complex scientific and/or historical topics, and to synthesize them toward the creation of engaging interpretive content for general audiences;
• Ability to provide leadership and team-building across organizational lines of authority;
• Ability to perform project management and budget oversight for multiple simultaneous projects;
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision;
• Ability to maintain flexibility and work with frequent interruptions and multiple changing priorities;
• Ability to work as a member of a team and/or to carry out projects independently;
• Ability to learn new subjects and skills, including new technologies and software;
• Ability to maintain familiarity with advancements and trends in the museum field, especially in exhibition development;
• Ability to conduct work activities in accordance with TPWD safety program.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Required to work from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday;
• Required to work overtime as necessary;
• Required to operate a State vehicle;
• Required to travel 20% with possible overnight stays;
• Must conform to TPWD dress and grooming standards, work rules and safety procedures;
• Non-smoking work environment in all State buildings and vehicles.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS:

Texas Parks and Wildlife offers a variety of benefits for employees such as generous paid time off, group insurance, retirement and pension, and frequent training and staff development opportunities. Other benefits include longevity pay, merit pay, deferred compensation, flexible benefit plans, 401K/457 retirement plans, direct deposit, staggered work hours, Employee Assistance Program and a Return-to-Work Program. For new employees or rehires, health insurance is available on the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period.

MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE:

If you choose to claim military employment preference as outlined by the State of Texas, you must attach the required documentation referenced below at the time your application is submitted. If you have questions regarding this requirement, please visit our Military Employment Reference page at https://tpwd.texas.gov/jobs/veterans/.

Required forms that will need to be attached with application for Military Employment Preference:

• Veteran- DD214 showing honorable discharge or Statement of Service (only for transitioning service members who have not reached their date of separation).
• Surviving spouse of a veteran who has not remarried- Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.
• Orphan of a veteran killed while on active duty- Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300 or appropriate documentation.
• Spouse of a member of the US Armed Forces/Texas National Guard serving on Active Duty- Marriage Certificate and copy of spouses active-duty military orders.
• Spouse of a veteran with disability and is the primary income for household- Marriage Certificate, Veterans DD214, and VA Benefits Summary Letter showing disability rating.

*More information on military occupational specialty codes can be found below:

https://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/MOC/

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MilitaryCrosswalkGuide.pdf

TPWD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER