MUSEUM SUPERVISOR/EXPERT

State of Arkansas; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 52,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Arkansas seeks a Museum Supervisor/Expert to lead educational programming at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock, AR. The role focuses on planning and delivering programs, tours, and events for diverse audiences and providing interpretive services to visitors, including school groups and researchers.

The position oversees daily operations, staff management, collections, and research to support exhibits.

Qualifications

• Experience in historic preservation or museum administration.
• Leadership in cultural programming or education.
• Knowledge of exhibits development and archival standards.
• Strong public speaking and storytelling abilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily museum operations, staffing, scheduling, and facility management.
• Develop and deliver educational programs, tours, and special events.
• Collaborate with historians, educators, and cultural experts to create accurate displays.
• Supervise staff, volunteers, and interns and manage outreach.
• Ensure compliance with state/federal laws, grants, and safety standards.

Skills

Lead educational programming

Public speaking

Staff supervision

Budget planning

Grant writing

Event coordination

Education program development

Exhibit development

Archives/documentation

Job description

Position Information

This position, based at the Old State House Museum in Little Rock, AR, will lead the museum’s educational programming initiatives. The role is responsible for planning and delivering educational programs, tours, and special events for diverse audiences. Additional duties include providing informational and interpretive services to visitors—such as school groups, researchers, and the general public—and conducting research to support and enhance museum exhibits and collections.

Job Series: Museums and Archives – Career Path

Classification: Museum Supervisor/Expert

Class Code: RMA12P

Pay Grade: SGS06

Salary Range: $52,137- $77,163

Job Summary

The Museum Supervisor/Expert oversees daily operations, staff management, and programming for a state-operated museum in Arkansas. This position ensures the museum fulfills its mission of preserving and interpreting historical, cultural, and educational exhibits for the public. The Museum Supervisor is responsible for supervising staff, managing collections, developing educational programs, and ensuring visitor engagement while maintaining compliance with state and federal museum standards.

Primary Responsibilities

The assignment of supervisory duties is determined by the hiring agency's operational needs. Non-supervisory roles will serve as senior technical experts. Oversee day-to-day museum operations, including staffing, scheduling, and facility management. Ensure exhibits and collections are properly maintained, documented, and preserved according to state and federal museum guidelines. Monitor and evaluate museum attendance, visitor experience, and program effectiveness. Coordinate exhibit installations, educational programs, and special events to enhance public engagement. Collaborate with historians, educators, and cultural experts to develop historically accurate and interactive displays. Oversee the research and curation of museum collections, ensuring proper documentation and preservation. Work with marketing teams to promote museum events, programs, and exhibits. Supervise and provide leadership to museum staff, volunteers, and interns. Serve as a primary point of contact for the public, schools, and community organizations. Develop and implement educational programs, guided tours, and workshops tailored for diverse audiences. Represent the museum in public meetings, conferences, and heritage initiatives. Oversee financial reports and ensure compliance with state fiscal policies and grant requirements. Ensure museum operations align with state and federal laws regarding historic preservation, collections management, and accessibility. Maintain compliance with occupational health and safety standards, including security protocols for artifact protection. Keep records of museum acquisitions, donations, and loans in accordance with archival standards.

Knowledge And Skills

Ability to supervise and mentor museum staff, ensuring a positive and professional work environment. Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills to address museum challenges effectively. Knowledge of Arkansas history, culture, and heritage to develop relevant programming. Understanding of museum ethics, collections management standards, and conservation best practices. Excellent public speaking and storytelling abilities for tours, presentations, and educational programs. Strong written communication skills for reports, grants, and interpretive materials. Ability to engage diverse audiences, including students, researchers, and general visitors. Proficiency in budget planning, grant writing, and fundraising strategies. Experience in event coordination and public program planning. Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively. Ability to manage museum inventory, archival records, and digital collections.

Minimum Qualifications

At least three years of experience in historic preservation, museum administration, cultural programming, education, or a related field, including one year in a leadership role.

Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs.

Licensure/Certifications

N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.