9E16 - WATER INTERPRETIVE CENTER DIRECTOR

9E16

PAY RANGE: N24

WATER INTERPRETIVE CENTER DIRECTOR

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is administrative museum management work directing the building operations and maintenance, historic preservation, and environmental education programs for the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center. Employees are responsible for overseeing the facility usage, marketing, budgeting, and grant-writing initiatives for the Center. Work includes designing educational programs, exhibits, and promotional products, identifying funding sources, developing preventive and resolution maintenance procedures for the museum in response to or prevention of flooding and other weather conditions. The employee develops, implements and oversees all aspects of design, placement, maintenance and installation of educational exhibits and programs which portray technological, historical, ecological, public works and social aspects of water resources and watersheds that aim to educate the public on improving their stewardship of the city’s water resources. The employee also oversees all City related events and special event planning and usage of the museum facility. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior.

ALLOCATING FACTORS ( The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

· The position must be responsible for supervising Interpretive Center staff and for managing all aspects of the Center’s educational programs, building maintenance, budgeting, and facility usage.

· The position must be located in the Water Department.

· Only one position will be allocated to this class.

· This position must develop preventive and resolution maintenance procedures for the museum in response to or prevention of flooding and other environmental/weather conditions

· The position must be responsible for protecting and preserving the historic integrity of the Interpretive Center.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Manages the operation of the Interpretive Center; oversees the day to day operations of the Interpretive Center; supervises center staff; develops and provides training for staff members in the building maintenance and museum operations; prepares and administers the Interpretive Center’s operating and capital budgets; identifies funding requirements and funding sources; coordinates grant application, preparation and presentation with development officers, administers grant monies received;

Coordinates Interpretive Center’s educational programs with school water programs and updates programs to keep current with schools' curricula; researches appropriate national learning models; researches public school curriculum standards in science, technology, engineering and math; collaborates with subject matter experts in the identification and gathering of educational resources and materials; pilot tests educational models; considers goals of the Water Department and the Interpretive Center when designing and developing education programs; communicates with school professionals to generate continued interest in the Interpretive Center; encourages and arranges school group visits; prepares promotional literature outlining the programs available to school groups; develops the concepts and message of the Interpretive Center into educational exhibits; directs the development of Water Works rotating exhibits; oversees all aspects of the design, placement, maintenance and installation of exhibits; establishes environmental and handling criteria for safe display of exhibits.

Provides direction and support to exhibit design firms. Identifies and arranges for system upgrades and repairs of all computer driven exhibits; coordinates with the Fairmount Park leasing agents and members of the Water Department’s facility management team in order to ensure the historic fabric of the Center;

Ensures that the property is maintained in accordance with preservation standards in compliance with national historic landmarks; oversees all building maintenance; protects and preserves the historic fabric and integrity of the landmark; develops preventive maintenance for flood procedures; develops and maintains wire management system for document preservation; oversees space allocation, selection of equipment and supplies; considers environmental conditions that may affect historic preservation.

Directs publicity and membership campaigns; supervises selection of materials for the preparation of publicity and membership campaigns and related functions; establishes programs to recruit volunteers and train and supervise them as tour guides; meets with potential donors to describe and promote interest in Interpretive Center programs.

Coordinates all aspects of the Interpretive Center’s production of marketing materials; may use graphic design software such as Corel Draw and Microsoft Publisher; locates archival materials, historical pictures and documents to use in brochures and displays; oversees electronic monthly newsletter; participates in editing, proofing and arranging of outside contributors; chairs advisory committees to plan and strategize volunteers, educational partners and contributors; cultivates the participation of these interest groups; works in conjunction with consultants for feasibility studies, cost estimations, and architectural renderings for expansion; meets with focus groups; provides information to Center's Advisory Committee, volunteers, educational partners and contributors; cultivates the participation of these interest groups.

Communicates and interacts with other museum and education professionals; participates in the activities of professional associations; responds to inquiries about programs; prepares reports and presentations on program activities and progress; works closely with caterers, and entertainers to ensure that all necessary arrangements had been made; protects the interest of the Interpretive Center and surrounding grounds.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· the objectives of environmental education, experiential learning and museum education

· national public school curriculum standards in science, technology,engineering, art and math (STEAM)

· the principles and practices of administrative organization and management and their application in solving a variety of operational and administrative problems

· education center administration principles and practices

· the techniques involved in promoting the education community's participation in and support of programs

· the practices, methods and techniques used in the selection, development, and installation of educational exhibits and museum programs

· the principles and practices of public speaking

· supervisory methods and techniques

· the educational value of exhibit materials

· national historical landmark standards for the museum location and environment

· building maintenance procedures as applied to museum facilities

· preventive maintenance as applied to museum facilities

ABILITY TO:

· plan and develop educational programs, museum exhibits, oral presentations, documentary films, and other special events.

· develop the interest and support of Interpretive Center activities in the education and funding communities

· analyze and evaluate organizational, administrative and managerial problems as they pertain to museum operations

· direct the curatorial and administrative functions of a small education center

· plan, develop, direct and promote a comprehensive program for Interpretive Center educational services

· learn the history of Philadelphia water works, water supply, and water treatment

· learn the principles and practices of water and waste water treatment processes

· establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, the general public, funding sources, consultants and the education community

· present ideas both orally and in writing

· learn the operations of the Philadelphia Water Department

· coordinate focus groups and advisory committees

· develop, edit, and arrange promotional materials using graphic design software

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 11/06.)

EDUCATION

Completion of a master's degree program in environmental education, environmental sciences or closely related area at an accredited college or university.

AND

EXPERIENCE

Two years of experience planning, preparing and presenting environmental education programs in an environmental center or museum setting, or two years of experience in planning, developing and presenting museum exhibits, or two years of experience as a museum curator or administrator which has included supervision of full-time educational staff.

NOTE: Completion of a bachelor’s degree program in environmental education, environmental sciences, or a closely related filed, at an accredited college or university and four years of the above-mentioned experience may equate for the Education and Experience requirement

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Class Established 9/87

Spec. Revision and Change in pay rate:

CSC –10/06

Ad. Board – 11/06

Latest Spec. Revision and Change in pay rate:

CSC – 10/11

Ad. Board – 10/11

Change in pay rate:

CSC – 9/19

Ad. Board – 10/19

Change in title:

CSC – 5/24

Ad. Board – 6/24