TPWD - Planner IV (Lead Interpretive Planner)

Hiring Contact: Stephen Garrett, (512) 389-4319, Email: stephen.garrett@tpwd.texas.gov

Physical Work Address: 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744

About the Role

Under the direction of the State Parks Interpretation and Exhibits Branch, this position is responsible for performing advanced (senior-level) planning and research work. Responsibilities include project management and advanced interpretive planning for exhibits in Texas State Parks. Work encompasses museums, visitor centers, nature centers, outdoor exhibits, publications, and other media. The role involves stakeholder consulting, theme and concept development, research, and interpretive writing. Project management duties include stakeholder reviews, scope development, coordination with purchasing teams, budgeting, vendor evaluation, implementation, and oversight to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. The position provides regular updates on project status to the Exhibit Shop Manager and collaborates closely to oversee the interpretive planning team's budget. Additionally, this role provides general oversight of all capital interpretive projects, supervises the interpretive planning team, and assigns projects to team members. The position serves in a training and mentoring capacity to uphold statewide standards of interpretive writing, including assisting in the development of interpretive messaging for park operational signage. The role also assists in developing and implementing statewide interpretive signage guidelines, standards, and tools, as well as coordinating annual minor repair projects. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced planning and research for interpretive exhibits in Texas State Parks.
• Manage complex interpretive and museum exhibition projects, including scope development, budgeting, vendor evaluation, and implementation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including consulting, theme and concept development, and interpretive writing.
• Provide regular project status updates to the Exhibit Shop Manager.
• Oversee the interpretive planning team’s budget and assign projects to team members.
• Supervise, train, and mentor the interpretive planning team to ensure high statewide standards of interpretive writing.
• Assist in developing interpretive messaging for park operational signage.
• Develop and implement statewide interpretive signage guidelines, standards, and tools.
• Coordinate annual minor repair projects.
• Comply with all Agency, Division, and Branch rules, regulations, and procedures.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree, with major coursework in History, Natural Sciences, Environmental Education, Geography, Anthropology, American Studies, Museum Studies, Education, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in interpretation and/or written interpretive content development, or similar related experience.
• Two years of experience managing complex interpretive and/or museum exhibition projects, or similar related experience.
• Must possess or be able to obtain, within 30 days of employment, a valid Class "C" State driver’s license. Retention of the position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining the required license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Interpretation or a related field.
• Three years of experience working in a conservation/resource protection setting.
• Two years of experience working in a supervisory capacity.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of:
  • Agency mission, procedures, and policies regarding performance planning, evaluation, and scheduling/project management.
  • Cutting-edge best practices and standards for presenting information to the public.
  • ADA regulations, archaeological regulations, agency policies, and federal, state, and local laws as they apply to the presentation of information.
  • Cultural resources subjects: history, geography, culture, and archaeology.
  • Natural resources subjects: geology, ecology, and other natural sciences.
  • Best practices and standards in interpretation (both live and static) and the museum field.
  • Design principles, especially graphic design, as they relate to museums, exhibits, and interpretation.
  • Best practices and standards in interpretive writing.
• Skill in:
  • Using computer software such as MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Verbal and written communication, including business communication and exhibit content writing.
  • Project management tasks, including budgeting, scheduling, time management, and meeting deadlines.
  • Establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with co-workers and work-related contacts.
  • Providing quality customer service in a courteous and professional manner.
  • Using primary, secondary, and scholarly source research on a variety of topics.
  • Complex strategic planning and facilitating group planning sessions.
  • Resolving conflicts and supervising, assigning, and editing the work of others.
  • Training others in both formal and informal settings.
• Ability to:
  • Write specialized interpretive text for a wide range of exhibit, museum, and signage projects.
  • Understand complex scientific and/or historical topics and synthesize them into engaging interpretive content for general audiences.
  • Provide leadership and team-building across organizational lines of authority.
  • Perform project management.