Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 52703
Closing Date: 02/17/2026
​Agency: Department of Natural Resources
Class Title: MUSEUM SECTION HEAD III - 83457
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $7,500-$9,500 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: N/A

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

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

• Serve as senior manager at Illinois State Museum

• Serve as lead position for ISM Interpretation section

• Serve as Interpretation specialist

• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the Position Overview.

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.

​Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm with 1 hour lunch; Due to scheduled public programs or events, or facility needs, some evenig or weekend hours may be required
Headquarter Location: Illinois State Musuem,502 S Spring St, Springfield, Illinois, 62704
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: Vicky Fowler
Email: vicky.fowler@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-785-5387
Posting Group: Leadership & Management; Arts, Design & Cultural

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com

Revolving Door:
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.