Job Description

Posting number: 26-01390

Department: Park Authority

Job classification: HISTORIAN II

Posting type: Open

Categories: Recreation, Parks and Recreation, Parks, Historic Preservation

Summary

Join the Park Authority and our nationally recognized team of professionals! This position works as a part of one of the most highly regarded park systems in the country. With more than 25,000 acres of parkland, nine Recenters, eight golf courses, three lakefront parks, and more, FCPA is an exciting organization to be a part of and there are many opportunities for staff to make a difference at every level. Frying Pan Farm Park, a very active, 135-acre park with diverse facilities including a working 1920's-1950’s farm, equestrian center, historic buildings, visitor center and more. The park has over 750,000 visitors each year. The site hosts a multitude of large events each year, including one which is a large 4-day event.

This position leads long term planning for and directs daily operations of visitor services including managing the site's interpretation, exhibit/display care and creation, camps, volunteer program, training, managing large events, and retail store operations. Also manages the historic artifact collections onsite, including monitoring condition of historic buildings and operations for the park. Assists with natural and cultural and resource projects, managing all sales and ticketing, rentals, and financial transactions, preparing administrative reports and plans, regular budget exercises and record keeping, office management, management of weekend and volunteer program staff, safety/security training and inspections, human resource functions, and assisting with outreach and advertising. Position will require weekend work as well as some evenings during events/programs. This position is one of the Park Authority's emergency personnel positions and is on call for alarms. Serves as assistant site manager taking on site manager duties in the absence of the site manager.

Examples of duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

• Directs all aspects of visitor programs and activities including staffing, facility use, security, safety, resource protection, visitor control, operating procedures and hours of operation, and procurement of supplies, equipment and services;
• Assists site manager in the research, writing, implementation and evaluation of the site’s annual operational plan, project plans, prospectus and interpretive plan, including goals and objectives for delivering programs and services;
• Plans, develops, and executes site programming and interpretation including the planning, development and evaluation of site events, tours, exhibits, museum education, and outreach programs;
• Manages site historic artifact collections ensuring compliance with guidelines for interpretation, security, and maintenance procedures;
• Investigates and responds to citizen complaints and concerns;
• Assists in the development of, and accounting for, the site annual budget, including donated funds;
• Supervises submission of cash reports and required reporting of management indicators such as visitation, program numbers, and project accounting;
• Disburses site petty cash funds;
• Recruits, interviews, selects, trains, supervises, sets priorities and work schedules, assigns projects, and evaluates paid and volunteer staff;
• Coordinates historic collections activity in areas of conservation, documentation, and interpretation;
• Develops and implements a division-wide publications and promotions program including a quarterly division publication to enhance understanding of the resource management division’s mission, functions, and operations;
• Develops and implements division and/or site promotional, advertising and marketing tools, utilizing appropriate media to reach targeted audiences.

Qualifications

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of American and regional history;
• Knowledge of historical research procedures;
• Knowledge of the principles of historic education and interpretation;
• Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of historical park or museum management;
• Knowledge of curatorial practices and procedures;
• Ability to conduct comprehensive historical research and prepare factual reports on historical issues;
• Ability to provide technical resource and program leadership to historian staff;
• Ability to perform effective administrative work including budgeting, human resource management, purchasing, and the development of short- and long-range operational plans;
• Ability to manage and operate interpretation/conservation programs at a site;
• Ability to program and coordinate major special activities;
• Ability to supervise paid and volunteer staff engaged in professional historian and technical support positions;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to deal effectively with citizen inquiries and complaints;
• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with staff and the general public.

Supplemental information

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in American history, American studies, archaeology, museum education, or a closely related field; plus, two years of progressively responsible experience in museum or historical site interpretation, collections, education and/or research, or closely related field.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

Driver's license (required)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of local natural and cultural history.
• Experience in planning, coordinating, and conducting natural and/or cultural history interpretive programs.
• Experience writing interpretative exhibits, blogs and/or brochures.
• Knowledge of or experience in caring for historical buildings and artifacts.
• Experience operating a visitor center/nature center.
• Experience with financial management, analysis, and budgets.
• Experience supervising paid and/or volunteer staff.
• Ability to work well with the public and colleagues.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Professional NAI certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to communicate, see, and hear and climb stairs. Ability to lift 35 lbs. Ability to stand, sit, walk on rough, uneven terrain on park trails. Ability to work in varying weather conditions. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview; may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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