Description
The M-NCPPC Montgomery County Department of Parks, Park Planning and Stewardship Division, seeks a Manager of Interpretation and Visitor Services to oversee public programming for the Agricultural History Farm Park within its Cultural Resources Stewardship Section (CRSS). CRSS has programs and facilities located throughout county that focus on the many fields of public history, archeology, history, and historic preservation. An example of one of these unique facilities is the 450+ acre Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood, Maryland that contains a 70 acre historic area with a historic bank barn, house, outbuildings, orchard, gardens, animals, and crop fields.
The following position requires extensive knowledge of historic farming practices from 1890s through 1940s.
The position requires specialized experience in two or more of the following areas: traditional and modern agricultural practices; operation and maintenance of antique and modern farm equipment; field crop enterprises; and, animal husbandry. The position also requires considerable experience managing a living history site. The candidate must be able to manage interpretive staff and volunteers. Specialized knowledge and experience in the interpretation of farming practices involving American history and agricultural sciences.
Examples of Important Duties:
  • Develop and implement a series of year-round educational and interpretive programs at the Agricultural History Farm Park for families, school groups, and the general public that are focused on a variety of agricultural enterprises typical of a central Maryland farm, circa 1890-1940. This effort will be closely coordinated with operations staff who will have primary responsibility for ” faming” the historic site as well as with an active and engaged Friends group.
  • Develop the annual work plan and related programs; coordinate support from park operations, the Friends group, and volunteers; interpret a living history experience, focused on agricultural practices, for families, school groups and the general public.
  • Work outdoors year round, in a variety of weather conditions, to implement living history programs–and demonstrate and interpret historic farming practices.
  • Manage all logistics of the public history programs by coordinating with operational staff, a wide variety of stakeholders, and an active Friends group.
  • Hire, train, and supervise educational and interpretive staff as well as volunteers.
  • Propose, monitor, and manage, the educational and interpretive program budget for the Agricultural History Farm Park.
  • Work closely with the Department’s marketing and outreach staff to promote all programs to a wide inclusive audience.
  • Organize and maintain an archive of historic materials, collections database, as well as program and interpretive materials and related equipment.
Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in history, American studies, museum studies, archaeology, historic preservation, or a related field; and
2. Three years of professional or related experience, including one year as a program coordinator or supervisor; or
3. Master’s degree in one of the above fields; and one year of experience; or
4. An equivalent combination of education and experience.
5. Valid driver’s license, or the ability to acquire one.

Preferred Candidates will possess:

  • Extensive knowledge of historic farming practices from 1890s through 1940s.
  • Considerable experience in two or more of the following areas: traditional and modern agricultural practices, operation and maintenance of antique and modern farm equipment, field crop enterprises, and animal husbandry.
  • Considerable experience managing a living history site.
  • Demonstrable experience delivering public history programs.
  • Considerable knowledge of: 1) agricultural history; 2) American history; 3) museum studies; 4) education; 5) principles and practices of interpreting history and culture to the public.

Ability to:

  • Solve complex problems involving many variables;
  • Provide technical expertise and program leadership to community groups and government entities;
  • Plan, develop, lead and present interpretive programs;
  • Coordinate effectively with Commission staff, the general public, and a wide variety of stakeholders; and
  • Interpret technical history and cultural history materials.

Must be available to work weekdays, weekend hours routinely for public events, and occasional evening hours for public outreach (including a monthly Friends group meeting).

References and a valid Maryland, District of Columbia, or Virginia driver’s license are also required.

Job Information
  • Derwood, Maryland, 20855, United States
  • 26504843
  • January 14, 2016
  • Manager of Interpretation and Visitor Services
  • M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks
  • Education
  • No
  • Full-Time
  • Indefinite
  • BA/BS/Undergraduate
  • 3-5 Years
  • 0-10%
  • $50,815.00 – $86,954.00 (Yearly Salary)