The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is a leader in historic preservation and manages several museums, historic sites, and programs that commemorate and celebrate the region’s rich history. The Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation, which serves a diverse population in an area that is steeped in American history, specifically African American history and culture, has a unique opportunity and responsibility to be a national leader chronicling and curating, celebrating and connecting the lived experiences of people – past and present - who have significantly shaped our county and country.

The Natural and Historic Resources Division is seeking a Director of Historic Sites and Museums to provide impactful leadership for six of its premier museums and historic sites, working collaboratively to advance these nationally significant properties as both a network and individual places. In this role, this position will serve as the Department’s subject matter expert on public history, museum best practices, inclusive interpretation, collections management and descendant community engagement. From the College Park Aviation Museum, located adjacent to the world’s oldest operating airport, to former sites of enslavement including Darnall’s Chance, Marietta, Montpelier, Riversdale and Surratt House, this portfolio represents a wealth of opportunities to engage the public with intertwined cultural and natural resources in ways that tell the full, true history of Prince George’s County as well as the broader region and county. 

Working closely and collaboratively with Historic Site Directors as well as internal experts in Black History, American Indian History, Historic Preservation and Archaeology, the Director of Historic Sites and Museums will work to ensure that these powerful places exemplify diversity and inclusion in all aspects of their operations; represent best practices in historic preservation; and are integral to the work of the Natural and Historic Resources Division and broader Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, Maryland.   

The Director of Historic Sites and Museums will be responsible for advancing the Division’s strategic priority of “Interpreting the Full Lived Experience” at all sites, elevating and exploring the stories of communities of color, women, the working class and other previously underrepresented groups. This work will be done in close collaboration with site Directors, full and part time staff, and colleagues especially the Directors of Black History Program, Archaeology Unit and Inclusivity Coordinator. Responsibilities will also include inclusive interpretation, general operations, governance, grantmaking, facilitation, community engagement, and curation. Most of the historic facilities have histories related to the institution and practice of slavery, so the Director of Historic Sites and Museums will play a central leadership role in the ongoing work to advance racial justice at these sites that include relationship-building with descendent communities, honest and vibrant interpretation rooted in scholarship and visitor experiences that combine history and culture as well as inclusivity in all aspects of operations.

A top priority will be spearheading the implementation of inclusive interpretation plans including reimaging tours, exhibits, public programming and events. This position will also serve as the Department’s expert on inclusive interpretation, public history, descendant community engagement and collections management. Reporting to the Assistant Division Chief for Historic Resources, the Director of Historic Sites and Museums will directly manage 6 Museum Directors as well as indirectly supervise 7 additional full time and nearly 50 part time staff.  

• Working with site Museum Directors and colleagues, oversee the implementation of inclusive interpretation plans including reimaging of tours, collections, public programming, exhibitions, events and public outreach.
• Serve as the Department’s subject matter expert on public history, museum operations, inclusive interpretation, collections management and descendent community engagement. 
• Provide clear direction and effective leadership to staff and stakeholders that are located across the county. Leads vision, goals and expectations for the site Museum Directors at six locations as well as performs standard HR supervisory functions.  
• Working with Division leadership and colleagues, develop and implement a strategic plan that connects, advances and promotes all of the museums and sites as a network as well as individual destinations.  
• Working closely with the Black History Program Director, coordinate, elevate and amplify the rich and diverse African American History across sites – positioning Prince George’s County as the premier destination for Black History from past to present.
• Ensure that the sites are highly inclusive in all aspects of their governance, operations, and programming; and are fiscally responsible, budget properly and meet annual budgets including large, multi-faceted Capital Improvement Projects
• Independently performs research and analysis to solve difficult, complex and challenging problems and provides technical expertise for cultural resource management, historic interpretation, stewardship, and outreach activities.
• Working with preservation and planning teams, supervises the analysis of master plans, sector plans, strategic plans, special strategic acquisitions, building proposals, and asset inventory and amendments to project related studies.
• Provide expert guidance and coordination between department staff, county agencies, community groups, customers and private sector consultants to facilitate Departmental objectives.
• Applies extensive knowledge of the principles and concepts of cultural resource management, as well as knowledge of research techniques and analysis using current literature and standard methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications  

Demonstrated success in developing and managing a geographically dispersed staff with varied skills, including effective team leadership skills, and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusivity, and the ability to support a workplace culture that is creative, collaborative, responsive, and accountable. 

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Historic Preservation, Cultural Resources Management, Archaeology, Anthropology, History, Architectural History, Architecture, Cultural Resources, Urban Planning, or any related field.
2. Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional level planning experience that includes project consultation and coordination.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total ten (10) years.
4. Valid driver’s license (depending on area of assignment) in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.

Classification Specification Cultural Resources Planner IV

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.
 
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis ofrace, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.