JOB TITLE: MUSEUM AND HISTORIC SITE ADMINISTRATOR 3

JOB CODE: 27690

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Museum and Historic Site Administrator job series describes professional work within the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) directing the total operations of a historic site or museum.

DEFINITION: This is administrative work directing the total operations of all historic sites and museums in an assigned region within the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

An employee in this job directs and manages, through subordinate administrators and professional staff, historic site and museum operations and activities for one of two statewide regions. Work involves prioritizing needs and resources for the sites; interpreting program rules, regulations, and policies; and developing operational standards and guidelines. Work also involves directing facility management functions; managing the care and preservation of historic buildings, landscapes, and museum collections; and overseeing site diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) initiatives. Work includes collaborating with lower-level Museum and Historic Site Administrators, executive staff, associate groups, and the public to ensure that the management of historic museums and sites is conducive to an accurate and inclusive interpretation of Pennsylvania history and provides a welcoming experience to all audiences. Work is performed independently and is reviewed by a higher-level administrative or director for the attainment of objectives and overall effectiveness of operations.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC:

• Work is differentiated from the lower level by the responsibility to direct, through lower-level Museum and Historic Administrators, the total operations of all historic sites and museums in one of two statewide regions.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Oversees facility management functions including budgeting; publicity and public relations; fund and grant development; volunteer and support group development; educational, community, and historic program development; interpretation development; contract and fiscal administration; and safety, maintenance, and security functions.

• Supervises and directs the work of lower-level Museum and Historic Site Administrators in one of two statewide regions.

• Serves as lead planner, overseeing the development of strategic, interpretive, preservation, and other operational and development plans.

• Develops operational standards and guidelines for sites and museums.

• Identifies resources and strategies to expand or enhance programs.

• Works with staff at the sites, at headquarters, and in other related organizations to ensure site operations are efficient, meet curatorial and interpretation standards, reflect PHMC policies and cultural initiatives, and are safe and attractive to the general public.

• Manages the overall development of effective relationships with associate groups and other related parties with an interest in the promotion of historic sites and museums.

• Directs curatorial functions, such as accessioning, cataloging, preserving, and utilizing facility collections.

• Advises site administrators, curators, and associates on the propriety of items acquired through donation or sale for addition to the collections; and on planning appropriate exhibits.

• Provides guidance on and approves the development of site-specific public programming and promotes events through media outlets.

• Oversees research efforts to increase visitor awareness and understanding of the facilities and the interpretation of their collections and special features.

• Directs the development and promotion of facility educational and informational activities presented to special interest groups and the general public.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of museum standards and best practices for all aspects of museum operation.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques used in the care and preservation of historic facilities.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques used in the care, cataloging, exhibition, and preservation of historic collections or collections of other significance.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques used in the interpretation of site missions, and the development and promotion of their educational programming.

• Knowledge of research methodologies and techniques.

• Knowledge of grant writing, fundraising, membership programs, and other means of acquiring financial support for a site.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to develop, administer and monitor the annual budgets of diverse museums and historic sites.

• Ability to plan exhibits and facility related programs.

• Ability to develop and implement methods and procedures to improve cost-effectiveness and increase visitor visits and program participation.

• Ability to develop working relationships and professional partnerships with diverse communities.

• Ability to read and interpret documents.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year as a Museum and Historic Site Administrator 2 (commonwealth title);

or

• Five years of professional experience managing overall museum operations including two years of experience supervising professional or volunteer museum staff; and a bachelor’s degree in history, American studies, museum studies, or a closely related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes two years of experience supervising professional or volunteer museum staff and a bachelor’s degree in history, American studies, museum studies, or a closely related field.