Review Vacancy
AgencyParks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Office of
TitleInterpretive Program Assistant (HELPS)
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $61516 to $78307 Annually
Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).* To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, candidates must meet the open competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
A bachelor's degree and one year of experience developing and conducting an interpretation program in either a historic house, historic site, historic park, the history section of a museum, or in the interpretation section of a governmental agency having responsibility for historic house museums, historic sites, or a cultural center providing professional-level cultural or historic exhibits.
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required, but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
*At a future date, it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfmt
Duties Description DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Interpretive Program Assistant will develop and administer educational and historic interpretation and visitors' programs, including exhibits, seminars, workshops, lectures, guided tours, written materials, and craft demonstrations to explain the significance of African American culture and historic sites and the customs, lifestyles, and events related to New York State historic sites. Under the supervision of the Historic Preservation Program Coordinator for the Office of Interpretation and Design, the Interpretive Programs Assistant will be responsible for:
• Implementing all aspects of the interpretive program on African American history and culture in New York for all state historic sites.
• Overseeing the development of the Enslavement to Freedom initiative for OPRHP.
• Developing and administering educational and historic interpretation and visitors' programs, including exhibits, seminars, workshops, lectures, guided tours, written materials, and craft demonstrations to explain the significance of African American culture and historic sites and the customs, lifestyles, and events related to the site.
• Conducting original research on African American history and culture in New York and the US.
• Working with Public Affairs staff to update and improve Black history on the OPRHP website, including writing blog posts and content for Instagram Reels and Stories.
• Deliver lectures and other programming that interpret or promote OPRHP’s role in interpreting Black history.
• Assisting with identifying opportunities to promote racial diversity in programming, audience development and staffing.
• Writing exhibits and historic signage for installation at New York State historic sites
• Writing content for temporary exhibits, circulated at New York State historic sites and public cultural locations.
• Advise on and review content written by other Bureau of Historic Sites and historic site staff that interprets Black history.
• Supporting Black history interpretation, including archaeology and Historic Preservation (SHPO).
• Preparing, scheduling, and conducting seminars, lectures, and educational programs.
• Developing, coordinating, and overseeing special events that promote and interpret the programming.
• Training and supervising seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers in providing visitor services tasks and performing activities concerning handicrafts, work, and art of the program area.
• Arranging, scheduling, and conducting educational programs for schools, the community, and special interest groups.
• Developing professional relationships with other sites, schools, professional groups, and community organizations to gain support for the site and its activities.
• Assisting with the installation of exhibits.
• Supervising and conducting guided tours.
• Supervise interns for the projects above as needed.
Additional Comments OPERATING NEEDS:
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
• Statewide travel, including nights and weekends will be required in this position up to 25% of the time.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.