Director of Interpretation

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is looking to hire a Museum Section Head III (working title Director of Interpretation) for its State Museum Division. The Director of Interpretations works closly with the Director of the Illinois State Museum (ISM) in planning and evaluating programs & services of the Illinois State Museum that directly impact the visiting public. Primary responsibilities include overseeing exhibition programs, visitor services, and discipline-based and interdisciplinary educational programming. As a member of the Division's Leadership Team, this position will act administratively for and collaboratively with the ISM Director. Leadership-level staff are responsible for preparation of detailed specialized budget materials and professional reports. They contribute to Division administration by formulating and carrying out strategic planning & implementation, and preparation of annual budgets. They are responsible for working with senior and subordinate staff in establishing objective and subsequrent evaluations. This position will also work collaboratively with all State Museum sites to support their administrative, management and interpretive objectives and responsibilities. We welcome all interested applicants to apply today.

Museum staff are impelled to engage in a regular cycle of professional development to maintain competence and currency in their areas of expertise or responsibility; and participate in relevant professional organizations. This position is expected to be able to occasionally travel locally, regionally, or statewide to participate in professional development, outreach events, and for general operational needs of their work site. They may be requested to consult, advise, or present information to share their knowledge and experience with museum professionals, students, and the public. 

Essential Functions

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a minimum Bachelors in appropriate area of specialization such as education, museum studies, science, art, history, or anthropology. Masters degree in appropriate field(s) of study or higher degree in museum adjacent fields preferred.
• Requires a minimum of 15 years’ experience working in museum-related areas such as education, exhibits, administration, visitor services, or interpretation. Work history should demonstrate increasing job responsibilities in program administration and staff management.
• Requires 10 years of people management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working-knowledge level of experience in developing and implementing an institution’s Interpretive plan (a foundational guideline for all exhibits and educational programming).
• Working knowledge of administrating funds and budgeting.
• Working knowledge of grant management.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities:

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires valid driver's license.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires ability to work nights and weekends as needed. 
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Division & Agency Statement

The State Museum is a division of IDNR. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Illinois State Museum system (ISM) includes the headquarters museum and ISM-Research & Collections Center both in Springfield with branch sites ISM-Dickson Mounds in Lewistown, and ISM-Lockport Gallery in Lockport. The ISM is dedicated to sharing Illinois stories, honoring its cultural and natural resources, and inspriring our future. Its extensive collections and research activities provide the foundations for exhibitions and public programs that tell the story of the land, life, people, and art of Illinois. The Illinois State Museum is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that is mindful of community stories and lived experience.  The mission of ISM (accredited by the American Alliance of Museums) is to promote discovery, lifeling learning, and stewartship of the natural and cultural heritage of Illinois. It strives to integrate its original research and diverse collections to advance knowledge and create thought provoking exhibitions and educational programs and resources.

DNR Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting, and promoting Illinois’ natural resources, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) employees oversee water, wildlife, wetlands and oil wells, parks, historic sites – and everything in between. Employment opportunities vary greatly, often providing employees the chance to work indoors and out in a dynamic yet relaxed environment. Working for the State of Illinois, IDNR employees receive excellent benefits, including health, vision and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs; flexible/remote work schedules may be available for certain positions.