Supervisor, Historical and Cultural Interpretation

Summary: Participates in advancing the Garden's mission through overseeing, implementing, and assessing visitor-centric and participatory engagement initiatives aimed at building stronger natural, cultural, and historical connections with visitors. Coordinates interpretive method development including: conceptual planning, design, delivery, research, fabrication, installation, as well as evaluation. Oversees the curation, conservation, and preservation of a collection of historic artifacts within an historic house museum.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

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  Coordinates and actively collaborates with colleagues or historians in the planning, design, development, fabrication, implementation, delivery and evaluationo interpretive strategies focused on the accurate historical and cultural heritage of Tower Grove House and its role as an institution within St. Louis.
  
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  Applies best educational practices and strategies with diverse audiences, which may include; audio, visual or in-person activities, interactive digital media, signage, print or online publications, guided or self-guided learning, and other interpretive tactics
  
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  Curatorial oversight of the permanent collection of historic artifacts in the Tower Grove House including; acquisitions, loans, deaccessions, electronic cataloging, museum registration methods, inventory, photographing, preservation efforts, and research. Responsible for the planning, routine maintenance, and daily/seasonal operations of designated educational Garden venues
  
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  Supervises designated staff/volunteers, with responsibilities including employee/volunteer hiring and selection process, training, employee work assignments, coaches/develops performance for success, provide professional development, reviews/approves timesheets, maintains accurate attendance records, completes annual performance evaluation and goal setting sessions, handles disciplinary actions, etc. Monitors employee/volunteer productivity, workload and morale with the goal of promoting employee/volunteer satisfaction while accomplishing the Department's goals and objectives in order to achieve desired outcomes within the Division.
  
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  Collaborates with Sr. Management for development, creation, and implementation of new interpretation and participatory visitor engagement programming initiatives. Participates in the development and implementation of special events at the Garden; coordinating relevant preparations, identifying needs, drafting setup requirements, and ensuring the implementation of logistics.
  
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  Participates in cross-training with peer interpretation supervisors in order to work across disciplines (plant science and digital/exhibit interpretation) as needed.
  
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  Oversees purchasing of programming materials and ensures proper storage requirements of interpretive materials, equipment, signage, and supplies are followed.
  
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  Oversees the monitoring of designated Garden venues and coordinates with appropriate personnel for repairs, modifications, or alterations. Reports daily maintenance needs and discusses issues, challenges, and funding needs with Manager.
  
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  Responsible for meeting establisehd program budgets and contractual arrangements, as identified by department management.
  
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  Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers/visitors of safety guidelines and safe working practices and routinely monitors to enforce them. Adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards. Responds to, administers First Aid/CPR, and reports all accidents, injuries, and near-miss accidents immediately.
  
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  Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, mutual support, and cooperation, within the division, department and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors, contractors, and employees.
  
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  Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

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  Regular part-time and full-time Interpretation Assistants
  
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  Assigned volunteers; adults, interns, and teens

Core Competencies

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  Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
  
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  Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus.
  
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  Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
  
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  Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
  
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  Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.

Qualifications/Experience:

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  Minimum of 3 years' related visitor engagement and interpretation experience working diverse audiences of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Must have a working knowledge of historical and cultural topics relative to the position and experience nurturing an awareness and educationally engaging the public. Driven to provide high quality personalize learning opportunities for visitors within a fast-paced, mission based public attraction. Knowledge of St. Louis history is a plus.
  
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  Minimum of 2 years historical/museum studies experience and solid hands-on curatorial knowledge of varied historical collections is required. Demonstrated knowledge of collection oversight and tracking using museum registration methods, accessions, acquisitions, loans, and preservation and conservation of artifacts and the operations of a historic house.
  
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  Minimum 3 years supervisory experience; demonstrated abilities in staff support, coaching and development, and conflict resolution required. Ability to supervise a work group with strong focus on teamwork and the execution of high quality informal experiential learning opportunities is essential.
  
• Certification through the National Association for Interpretation is required.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with across Divisions including interpreters, fabricators, curators, graphic designers, information technology teams, volunteers, and Garden supporters as well as contractors, vendors, and colleagues at local institutions.
• Experience working in a cultural institution preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively work on multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with little instruction; coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks, set deadlines, and complete projects in timely manner.
• Demonstrated organization, project planning, and diplomatic problem solving skills required.
• Must be solution oriented, budget conscious, and a true team player.
• Scheduling flexibility that allows working some weekends, evenings, and holidays is required.
• Demonstrates highest level of professional and ethical conduct.
• Must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination by date of hire to be considered. Proof of vaccination will be required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

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  Bachelor's Degree in museum studies, library sciences, history education, or related field is required.
  
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  Must have completed college level course work in museum studies, interpretation, informal education, exhibit design, library sciences, history, and other related fields is required.
  
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  An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Other Skills and Abilities: N/A.

Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in English (verbal/written).

Mathematical Skills: Proficient ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals; etc.

Reasoning Ability: Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve conflicts in a fast-paced environment.

Computer Skills:

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  Proficient experience using Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Outlook, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Windows 7).
  
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  Knowledge of collections databases and software (i.e., Re:discovery, PastPerfect, Adlib, The Museum System).

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

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  Must be able to maintain required NAI certifications.
  
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  Must be able to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR certification, adult and child.

Physical Demands:

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  Must be able to work both indoors/outdoors.
  
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  Ability to lift and carry up to 20-30 lbs.
  
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  May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e., step stools, climb ladders, etc.)
  
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  Extensive walking, climbing stairs, standing, sitting, reaching and stooping - 75% or more of the workday is standing on feet.
  
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  Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing) and simple tools (exhibit repairs).
  
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  Ability to utilize curatorial equipment and supplies (preservation and conservation).

Work Environment:

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  May require working indoors and outdoors throughout day in all seasons - Ability to work outdoors in temperatures over 100F as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed. Ability to work indoors in temperature controlled environment in historic buildings as needed.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Education Division colleagues.
• Garden Employees (e.g. works closely w/ Publications, Visitor Services, Information Technology, General Services, and Horticulture teams).
• Garden Visitors with varying interested, from diverse backgrounds, and with varying abilities (e.g. members, non-members, donors, children, families, and adults).
• Garden Volunteers and Unpaid Interns.
• Various professional organizations (e.g. NAI, AASLH, AAM), contractors, and external consultants.

• Missouri Botanical Garden, 2345 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America