The Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County is a leader in historic preservation and manages several museums, historic sites, and programs that serve a diverse community and commemorate and celebrate the region’s rich history and culture. Managed by the Natural and Historic Resources Division (NHRD), the Sankofa Mobile Museum is one of the Department’s highest profile and most popular museums – providing a memorable and inspiring experience for students, community members, county leaders as well as internal stakeholders. 

Much more than a traveling trailer, Sankofa is a recognized regional leader and model for the nation – ensuring that history is accurate, interesting, relevant and accessible for people of all ages. The experience integrates innovative augmented and virtual reality technology as well as facilitated dialogue to interpret important but often overlooked people and places that shape our past, inform our present, and impact our future. 

Reaching tens of thousands of students as well as life-long learners, this unique interactive Mobile Museum travels to schools across Prince George’s County to expose students to the untold stories of local inhabitants from 10,000 years ago to today – connecting concepts and context to curriculum and critical thinking. Students analyze significant events, ideas, and themes to identify how societies have--and have not-- changed over time and discuss how choices of the past impact our lives today. Perhaps most importantly, Sankofa participants explore how their actions can make a better world and how they might empower a new generation of positive change. 

Building on two years of proven success, this position presents an opportunity for the right candidate to expand on the established model and explore additional immersive and interactive approaches to strengthen our community’s understanding of and passion for history and culture. 

The successful candidate will have knowledge in American History, experience with public history and ability to demonstrate museum best practices. Candidate is expected to have knowledge in facility operations, curriculum development, research, curation, and community engagement. Candidate will have excellent management and supervisory skills and demonstrate the ability to lead a team of 5-6 part-time staff. Candidate schedule will be Tuesday-Saturday and the office is located at Chelsea Historic Site located in Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. 

Operations/Administration

• Manages all aspects of County-wide Mobile Museum – from day-to-day operations to long-term planning.
• Collaborates with supervisor to develop and manage work plans as well as implementation of strategic plan goals and action steps for the County-wide Mobile Museum.
• Develops and conducts regular surveys to assess and evaluate educational experience of teachers and students.
• Monitors and develops short-term and long-term maintenance plan for the museum trailer. 
• Provides timely communication to staff and ensures smooth operations and communication of accurate information both internally and to the public.  
• Prepares regular reports to monitor trends and patterns and correlates with program attendance data. 
• Represents museum at professional conferences, commission meetings, commission committees, and other outreach events, as directed. 
• Develops and supports implementation of marketing/advertising outreach plan, including oversight of social media, Constant Contact, and the Department’s website. Also supervises preparation of marketing materials such as press releases, flyers, mailers, and on-line calendars.

Management and Supervision

• Hires and supervises Mobile Museum 5-6 part-time staff and performs annual evaluations.
• Develops and manages operations procedures and policies; manages, trains, onboards, schedule’s staff.to provide adequate coverage for both day-to-day operations and special events and programs.
• Ensures the Museum, program and staff follow all Commission and Department practices, policies and procedures.
• Oversees program budget as well as prepares and manages all reporting; monthly/annual reports, grants, internal reporting, public relations, and marketing.
• Responsible for cultivating a collaborative and team environment and culture.

School Programming/Outreach/Research and Interpretation 

• Develops, organizes, and coordinates school related programs/tours experiences of the Mobile Museum throughout the County.
• Conducts primary/secondary source research for new interpretive programs/exhibits.
• Coordinates and maintains yearly outreach calendar to public events, festivals, and NHRD programs. 
• Assist with installation and de-installation of new museum modules and exhibits.
• Leads team in planning and delivering the Sankofa Experience.
• Develops Teacher Advisory Group to continue improving the experience and foster a committed collaboration to the school community.
• Develops long term research goals/interpretation plan for new museum modules of highly complex and difficult interpretive themes.
• Responds to all inquiries concerning the Mobile Museum. Makes program reservations and collects fees.

Facilities Management

• Oversees facilitymanagementincludingbuildingutilitysystems,inspections,reports, service of buildings including fire and security alarms, HVAC, plumbing repairs, and other maintenance needs at Sankofa’s home office, Chelsea Historic Site.
• Collaborates with Department and division colleagues for the preservation and restoration efforts of Chelsea – adhering to all federal, state and local regulations and restrictions. Preparing permit requests, working with preservation unit on coordinating preservation and restoration projects. 

The successful candidate should have the following qualifications: 

• Ability to lead, support, mentor, and engage with their team.
• Superior communication skills, both written and verbal. 
• Highly organized with the ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines and tasks with excellent attention to detail. 
• Able to work independently and be a self-starter. 
• Team player and a proven effective manager of others. 
• Ability to listen actively and be responsive to guest needs and expectations. 
• Proven ability to work positively with organizations, schools, community groups. 
• Strong commitment to excellent customer service, both internal and external. 
• Must be computer savvy with experience using Microsoft Word, Excel and willing to learn other software. 
• Experience planning and implementing major public programs, tours, events, exhibits, and interactive experiences. 

Highly desired candidates will possess:

• Knowledge of and skills in using Commission and museum-related software (Microsoft Suite, Avaya, Xerox Workstation, Kronos, Samaritan, ParksDirect, OneDrive, Dropbox, EAM, ERP, PhotoShop, Canva, NeoGov). Training after hiring.
• Proven experience successfully managing and developing emerging staff in a museum or cultural institution.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt during stressful situations.
• High aptitude of emotional intelligence.
• Proven problem-solving skills.
• Track record of success in a creative, fluid and dynamic work environment
• Knowledge with education, programming, exhibit development/innovation.
• Fluent in Spanish, both speaking and writing, a plus.

1. Bachelor’s Degree in History, Public History, American Studies, Museum Studies, Archaeology, Paleontology, Anthropology, Historic Preservation, Interpretive Research, Library Sciences or any related field.
2. Two (2) years of professional or related experience in history work.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
4. Valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver's licenses 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 of the position.

Classification Specification History Specialist II/Museum Manager II

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.

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