MUSEUM EXHIBITS DIRECTOR4102E1 Pay Grade: DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is specialized, professional, and administrative work in planning, designing, and preparing museum exhibits and other interpretive programs in a state-operated museum. Work involves directing, evaluating, and revising an effective museum exhibits program and other visual interpretive programs; planning, designing, fabricating, and installing exhibits; performing taxidermy work; designing publications and brochures; painting and selecting display items; and ensuring the care, security, and preservation of exhibits and exhibit items. Work also involves teaching scientific illustration and taxidermy for public education programs and planning, assigning, and reviewing work for a staff of museum employees and volunteers and occasionally private contractors. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL C: "Under direction…" Employees at this level usually receive a general outline of the work to be performed and are generally free to develop their own sequences and methods within the scope of established policies. New, unusual, or complex work situations are almost always referred to a superior for advice. Work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to established policies and requirements. Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable… Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the many factors which must be considered and weighed before a decision can be reached. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial. Contacts - LEVEL B: The purpose of the contact is to plan, coordinate and advise on work efforts, interpret guidelines or instructions, elicit opinions or give guidance on the basis of facts to resolve common issues or problems when the information is not sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are working toward mutual goals and have basically cooperative attitudes. Well developed communication skills are required. Physical Demands - LEVEL B: The work requires light physical exertion. The employee may be required to perform handling activities with lightweight or easily moved items (e.g. books, file folders, boxes of office supplies, small machine parts, etc.); perform moving activities for brief periods; operate light equipment; perform repetitive motions for brief periods; confined to a work area. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL B: The work environment involves moderate hazards, risks or discomforts. Exposure to minor deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is normal. Minor to serious injuries are possible. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL F: Involves scheduling, supervising and evaluating work as a supervisor to managers of first line supervisors. May administer major departmental or multi-functional programs through subordinate manager. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Museum Exhibits Technician which is work in the production, fabrication, and installation of exhibits for state museums. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Meets and confers with other professional staff in planning and developing concepts, purpose, audience, content, and format of presentation for interpretive programs at a museum or other historic site. Develops complete exhibit designs and directs and participates in the construction, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of exhibits. Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of the exhibits staff and any other museum staff, volunteers, or private contractors that may be assigned to exhibit projects. Completes performance evaluations for assigned museum staff. Consults with other museum staff or performs necessary research to ensure that displays and exhibits are scientifically or historically correct; performs taxidermy work as necessary. Maintains inventories of design and fabrication supplies and provides necessary training and instruction in use of tools and equipment and in appropriate safety techniques and equipment. Provides information to and consults with other staff members concerning publicity for exhibits and assists with the development and design of programs and publicity-related publications. Develops annual budget for exhibits and a budget and schedule for the production of each exhibit; monitors the budget for expenditures and reviews requests for materials utilized in exhibits; assists the procurement officer with bid specifications. Consults, advises, and presents information on exhibits and exhibit techniques to museum professionals, students and the public. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of whole organism and ecological biology (natural history) and/or knowledge of the principles and techniques used in commercial art and graphic design, particularly as they apply to museum exhibit production and the production of published materials auxiliary to those exhibits. *Knowledge of source material for research in one or more fields. *Knowledge of procedures, practices, materials, tools, and equipment used in designing, preparing, constructing, and installing museum exhibits. *Knowledge of proper handling and exhibiting methods for museum specimens or artifacts. *Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision. Abilities *Ability to effectively administer a major program of exhibits, audio-visual programs, and other museum visual interpretive programs including skills in estimating costs, budget preparation, and effective scheduling of numerous program elements. *Ability to supervise the work of a staff of professionals and craftsmen. *Ability to plan and design museum exhibits. *Ability to identify and classify museum specimens. *Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and to make recommendations on policy and procedure. *Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with professionals and the public. *Ability to express ideas clearly, orally and in writing. *Ability to design and lay out attractive and artistic formats for pamphlets, brochures, signs, exhibit catalogues, and other such exhibit-related publications and graphics. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree relevant to the field of historical organization, agency or museum work and two years work experience in historical society or museum work and one year leadership ability at the supervisory level. Additional experience in the areas listed above may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency. NC: 06/94 |