Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00445

Department: Economic Development Department

Job classification: HERITAGE TOURISM SPECIALIST SENIOR

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal, Counseling, Criminology

Summary

Acceptable Experience and Education

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, historic preservation, history, fine arts, anthropology, architecture, archaeology, or related field and two (2) years of professional experience working in a museum, historic site, or educational setting;

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree

Bilingual (English/Spanish) Skills preferred

Certificates, Licenses, and other Requirements:

In order to access into the County’s network and systems, a personal smart device is required by the hire start date.

Have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Examples of duties

Essential Duties:

Provides day-to-day operational and programmatic leadership for the Museum section, coordinating activities, priorities, schedules, resources, and services to ensure effective and consistent museum operations;

Provides direction, guidance, training, and coordination to assigned staff, volunteers, interns, and temporary personnel supporting Museum section activities;

Coordinates the planning, development, and implementation of Museum section programs, exhibitions, educational activities, public events, tours, interpretive activities, and visitor experiences, including schedules, resources, logistics, and operational requirements, in accordance with approved plans, County policies, preservation practices, and Texas Historical Commission (THC) standards;

Coordinates the care, documentation, inventory, storage, handling, movement, and preservation of museum collections in accordance with established museum practices, preservation standards, and County procedures;

Coordinates the development, installation, modification, maintenance, and removal of permanent and temporary exhibits, including interpretive content, exhibit materials, displays, schedules, and logistical requirements;

Monitors museum operations, program participation, visitor feedback, and other performance information and prepares reports or recommendations to support continuous improvement of Museum section programs and services;

Develops and maintains working relationships and coordinates with Heritage Tourism staff, schools, universities, museums, historical and preservation organizations, tourism organizations, community organizations, and other partners to expand educational, cultural, Museum, and visitor programming and promote awareness of County historical and cultural resources;

Monitors museum facilities, galleries, exhibits, and public spaces to identify operational, preservation, safety, maintenance, and visitor-service needs and coordinates appropriate corrective actions;

Conducts and coordinates historical research and develops or reviews interpretive content for exhibits, tours, educational programs, publications, and other public-facing Museum materials to ensure historical accuracy and consistency with approved interpretive standards;

Conducts guided tours and interpretive programs for tourists, school groups, community organizations, and the general public, including walking tours, driving tours, and special interpretive experiences highlighting the history of El Paso County;

Presents historically accurate content aligned with approved interpretive plans and Texas Historical Commission (THC) standards and best practices;

Assists in the development and facilitation of educational programming tied to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards where applicable;

Plans, coordinates, and supports special events, heritage celebrations, and public history initiatives associated with Museum section programs and activities;

Provides front-line visitor services, including admissions support, orientation, and general information;

Promotes inclusion and accessibility in all public-facing programs;

Assist with the implementation of Countywide heritage tourism initiatives that promote historic sites, cultural resources, and heritage destinations throughout El Paso County;

Support public outreach efforts related to historic preservation, including educational presentations, workshops, and community engagement activities;

Represent County museums and historic sites at community events, festivals, tourism activities, and public meetings.

Other Important Duties*

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned;

Must have the ability to work weekends, evenings and holidays as required;

Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts;

Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

May require travel throughout El Paso County; and

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Qualifications

Summary of Position

Under general direction, the Heritage Tourism Specialist Senior plans, develops, coordinates, and implements museum operations, heritage tourism initiatives, historic preservation programs, educational outreach, exhibitions, and cultural programming for El Paso County. The position supports the stewardship, interpretation, and promotion of County-owned historic and cultural resources, including Los Portales Museum, the Old El Paso County Jail, Casa Ronquillo, and other County historic properties as assigned, while advancing countywide initiatives that preserve, interpret, and promote the region's diverse cultural and historical resources. Responsibilities include museum administration, collections and exhibit support, heritage tourism development, public engagement, historic preservation planning, educational programming, special events, and collaboration with community partners to enhance visitor experiences and promote cultural tourism.

The Heritage Tourism Specialist Senior delivers historically accurate interpretation consistent with Texas Historical Commission (THC) standards for public stewardship, preservation ethics, and cultural resource education while fostering meaningful visitor experiences that promote understanding of El Paso County’s diverse heritage.

Supplemental information

Organizational Relationships

Reports to: Heritage and Tourism Coordinator

Directs: Heritage Tourism Program Assistant, Volunteers and other personnel as assigned.

Other: Has frequent contact with El Paso County Historical Commission, historic preservation groups, private business owners, Economic Development offices for the City and County, Chamber of Commerce, tourism groups and the general public

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: public history interpretation principles; basic historic preservation ethics; event/project planning and public engagement, purchasing and procurement practices, media practices and procedures; marketing and promotion of cultural tourism programs; application electronic and social media; software utilized in graphic layout and design for brochures, flyers, advertising layouts, and promotional items. Good Knowledge of: historic preservation concepts, federal, state and local historic preservation rules and regulations such as the National Historic Preservation Act and the Certified Local Government Program; research, grant and report writing practices and methods; the culture and history of the El Paso southwest area; the principles of rehabilitation, restoring and preserving historic properties. Knowledge of: English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.

Skill/Ability to: to engage diverse audiences in an inclusive and respectful manner; work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment; assist with the coordination and implementation of historic preservation programs; conduct research, compile data, analyze findings, identify key issues; clear concise oral and written communication to prepare and present reports to management; operate personal computer using standard office operating software and general office equipment; prepare and maintain records; maintain filing systems; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; be dependable and self-motivated; establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; Pass a Criminal Background Check; Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred;

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:

· Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;

· Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;

· Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;

· Maintain strict confidentiality;

· Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,

· Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence