06/28/1994 27700

DIRECTOR, HISTORIC SITES AND MUSEUMS

DEFINITION: This is responsible administrative and curatorial work at the bureau level functioning as the director of the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums.

The employee in this class is responsible, through subordinate division chiefs, for the planning, development, and direction of all museums, other than the Pennsylvania State Museum, and all historic sites under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth. The employee also develops and interprets policies and procedures, and reviews programs for adequacy and effectiveness. Work may also involve representing the agency before legislative and executive officials, historical societies, museum groups, and the general public. Supervision is exercised over division chiefs, and administrative and clerical support staff, and consists of assigning and reviewing work, evaluating and reviewing evaluations of employee performance, interpreting labor agreements, resolving complaints or grievances, and insuring the development of staff. Work is performed with a high degree of independence, but is subject to review by the agency's executive director for program effectiveness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, develops, and directs the overall programs for all historic sites under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth.

Directs the work of the professional, technical, and administrative staff of all historic sites by assigning and reviewing work, evaluating and reviewing evaluations of employee performance, interpreting labor agreements, resolving complaints or grievances, and insuring the development of staff.

Directs and coordinates advisory services in establishing, clarifying, and interpreting history and the historic significance and importance of the sites.

Coordinates and approves contracts, purchase orders, sales, and services agreements.

Directs, reviews, and modifies brochures, publications, interpretive guides, public notices, and research materials.

Coordinates and directs the development of volunteers, interns, special interest groups, societies, interested individuals and the public.

Develops, recommends, coordinates, and implements policy and standards of development to insure the maintenance and preservation of sites; and regulating the storage, acquisition, disposition, and public participation and use of artifacts, materials, and collections.

Plans, directs and coordinates a statewide program to improve public awareness, participation, support, and appreciation of the sites and their historic significance.

Directs and conducts research concerning the history, architecture, and design of buildings, exhibits, artifacts and collections, and historic sites, and reviews or prepares publications relating to those activities.

Plans, or directs the planning of, programs, budgets, personnel requirements, facilities, and services.

Maintains contact with museum and history programs in other states and foreign countries to assure that programs under employee's direction are consistent with the current level of professional thinking in the development of museums and historic sites of Pennsylvania.

Confers with consultants and other professional and technical personnel on projects concerned with capital improvements, major restorations, and exhibit design and construction.

Provides consultant services, speaks before groups, promotes interest in state museums and historic and cultural properties and their preservation, and conducts correspondence in response to inquires about these activities.

Develops, or participates in the development and interpretation of policies and procedures.

Publishes materials based on research and experience of importance or interest to colleagues working in the field.

Prepares periodic and other reports and correspondence.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of administration applicable to directing historic site programs.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of employee supervision, business management, and public administration.

Knowledge of arts, sciences, and humanities as they relate to the development and administration of museums and historic sites and their programs.

Knowledge of the methods, techniques, tools, and materials used in the preparation and construction of museum exhibits.

Knowledge of source materials for research and of research methodology and techniques appropriate for maximum utilization of the special features and collections of historic sites for educational and promotional purposes.

Skill in performing research and in publishing material based on such research in fields related to historical sites and their programs.

Skill in planning and designing museum and historic site exhibits and displays.

Skill in expressing ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

Ability to plan, develop, and direct a statewide program for historic sites.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.

Ability to evaluate employee performance and prepare employee Performance Evaluation Reports.

Ability to read and learn to interpret collective bargaining contracts applicable to the work performed by the unit.

Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and to develop and make sound recommendations on policies and procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, colleagues and other administrators, public and private groups, and the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years experience as a Museum and Historic Site Administrators 3;

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Five years of administrative experience in directing a museum or historic site, supplemented by twenty-four college level credits in museum studies;

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Five years of professional museum curatorial experience at the supervisory level;

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training.