Inclusive Interpretation Coordinator (15265, Grade 26)

Description

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 commemorate and celebrate the region’s rich and diverse heritage, which is deeply rooted in African American history and culture. Now more than ever, the Department has a unique opportunity and responsibility to be a national leader chronicling, curating and connecting the lived experiences of underrepresented people – past and present - who have significantly shaped our county and country.

The Natural and Historic Resources Division is seeking an Inclusive Interpretation Coordinator to provide impactful leadership, subject-matter expertise and innovative programming for county-wide interpretation of its historic, natural and cultural sites. This position will work closely with divisional and department colleagues to research, identify and interpret powerful Prince George’s County stories of marginalized populations with a special emphasis on Black History and Culture. The successful candidate will have experience developing programs, events and experiences that connect past and present customs and traditions through art, music, language, cuisine, technology, and spoken word. 

Under direction of both the Assistant Division Chief for Historic Resources and the Black History Program Director, this position will provide guidance and expertise to expand and strengthen inclusive interpretation at existing historic sites & museums and nature sites. In addition, the Coordinator will oversee and spearhead interpretation and program development at sites not actively visited or currently accessible to the public including high profile properties such as Wilmer’s Park, Nottingham Historic School, Seabrook Schoolhouse, Columbia Air Center and many other park locations throughout the county. 

The Coordinator will work with the Assistant Division Chief to identify opportunities to share untold histories highlighting a diverse range of communities and lived experiences from across Prince George’s County. The position will develop and implement innovative approaches to visitor engagement including but not limited to signage, digital tours, story maps, oral histories, educational programming, and community events. In addition, Coordinator will spearhead training for the entire history staff that ranges in topics from inclusive interpretation to community engagement and support each respective peer review teams.  
 

Approximately 50 percent of the work program will support the Black History Program and its countywide network of historic sites and museums, interpretive programs, events and other efforts that celebrate, promote, and preserve Prince George’s County black history and culture. In addition to fully integrating Black History into our existing museum interpretive plans and visitor experiences and working on major events such as Juneteenth, this position will support new Program initiatives that could include Black church archives project, “Black History in a Box’ and Prince George’s County Civil Rights Trail. 

Finally, this position will collaborate with other colleagues and Divisions to support and expand cultural programming across the Department to include the American Indian Program, Hispanic Heritage Program, She the People Program, and many other multi-cultural efforts. 

The position will report to the Assistant Division Chief for Historic Resources – with secondary reporting to the Black History Program Director. 

Examples of Important Duties

• Provide guidance and expertise to expand and strengthen inclusive interpretation at existing museums, historic and nature sites. Coordinate with Museum Directors as well as internal experts in Black History, American Indian History, Historic Preservation and Archaeology, to ensure all heritage sites exemplify diversity and inclusion in their interpretation plans and overall visitor experience. 
• Support the Black History Program and its countywide network of historic sites and museums, interpretive programs, events and other efforts that celebrate, promote, and preserve Prince George’s County black history and culture.
• Coordinate and / or develop programs and events that connect past and present customs and traditions through art, music, language, cuisine, technology, and spoken word. 
• Spearhead interpretation and visitor engagement at sites not actively visited or currently accessible to the public.
• Work with colleagues to expand multi-cultural programming across the Department.
• Create innovative products to engage visitors about history and culture using a variety of platforms – including but not limited to interpretive signage, digital tours, story maps, educational programming, and community events.
• Engage community with a focus on creating equitable programming rooted in research and analysis.
• Spearhead training for history staff that ranges in topics from inclusive interpretation to community engagement.
• In collaboration, coordinate development and ensure delivery of the physical and digital strategy, programming, and operational planning for inclusive interpretation initiative, empowering the community to engage with culture and heritage. 
• Collect data relevant to the specialty area. Maintain listing of local historical resource contacts.  Act as a liaison between historical researchers and historical organizations, as well as Department staff.
• Manage and coordinate operating budget for sites under management and programs. Prepare annual budget requests and control expenditures in accordance with approved budget. Obtain bids and price quotes. Write purchase orders and check requests. Prepare administrative reports. 
• Work with Assistant Division Chief to establish advisory councils that represent the communities that we serve to increase the Division’s capacity to think strategically around programs, exhibitions and other new initiatives.
• Meet with citizens, historical groups, community groups, schools, Planning Board, County Council, staff and other government agencies to identify needs, plan programs and answer questions about history programs and historic facilities and sites, as well as general county history.
• Conduct research as needed to complement material developed by subject matter experts. Review technical literature, conduct surveys, exchange information with other government agencies, and attend professional conferences to identify new programs, methods, and equipment which may be useful to the program.
   

 Preferred skills and experience:
 

• Excellent public interpretation and engagement experience and background (programming, events, social media)
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to maintain collaborative relationships with other Department staff and key stakeholders
• Proven ability to approach and interact with people of all backgrounds and the ability to think collaboratively with staff and public alike
• Strong project management skillset with the ability to deliver clear outcomes through competing deadlines 
• Be comfortable discussing identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, and gender in plain terms as they relate to cultural heritage, equity and social justice
• Ability to handle complex and often controversial situations through strong interpersonal skills
• Proficient in office software (MS Office), enterprise software and specialized software for planning, scheduling, communicating, word processing, collecting and reporting data, preparing presentations, and researching.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Parks and Recreation, Recreation Management, Sports Management, Leisure Studies, Physical Education or any related field. 
2. Four (4) years of experience in recreation, sports/administration/management, physical education, leisure services, or in area of required specialty.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) 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.

Supplemental Information

Classification Specification Principal Recreation Specialist

 

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 of race, 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.