Salary : $63,650.00 – $122,531.00 Annually
Location : Ellicott City, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 24-00016
Department: Recreation & Parks
Division: R&P REC11F – Gen Fund
Opening Date: 08/10/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
This position within the Cultural and Historic Resources Section directs, participates, and creates new, innovative educational programming relevant to Howard County owned historic sites. The position is also responsible for conducting research and creating programing focusing on the African American achievements, experience, and story related to these sites. The position also assists with the creation of relevant exhibits, online content and publications and coordinates special events related to the Historic and Cultural Resources Section.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$30.60 – $32.48$63,650 – $67,550
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs mid management and advanced level natural resources work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work may include developing natural resource management plans, managing natural resource field operations and regulation implementation and compliance. Work may also include providing technical direction related to natural resource/ecosystem management, developing natural resource policies and procedures, and overseeing county-wide deer, other wildlife management, or educational programs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Conducts scholarly research designed to make significant contributions to the body of knowledge in the field of African American history in Howard County related to the African American experience, to produce findings for both scholarly and general audiences, and to interpret historical developments through public exhibits and programs.
- Provides technical assistance to the Department on identifying, documenting, and preserving African American historic places within the park system.
- Develop, plan and participates in public programs offerings related to all county managed historic sites.
- Is responsible for overall planning, implementation, management, and coordination of the Department’s strategic efforts to develop and strengthen African American historical interpretation of Howard County owned historic sites.
- Performs and interprets research related to the African American experience of Department owned and management sites.
- Plans, implements, and participates in outreach activities that promote the Department’s African American historic places.
- Partners on research projects with other community groups and organizations.
- Creates publications, exhibits, presentations, and workshops related to the African American experience.
- Promotes the identification and documentation of African American historic places through historic property surveys, National Register of Historic Places nominations, and state historical marker applications.
- Directs, oversees, and participates in the Section’s special event offerings.
- Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.
- Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.
- Review, determine severity, and submit incident, injury, accident, or other related reports for all incidents occurring during programs or camps to the Natural Resources Division Superintendent and to the Office of Risk Management. Follow up with parents/participants.
- Supports the management of all aspects of interpretive and educational history programming at the Howard County owned historic sites and ensuring their relevancy and authenticity.
- Collaborates with Historic and Cultural Resources Staff with creating educational and interpretive displays and exhibits at historic sites.
- Responsible for maintaining a working knowledge of Heritage Tourism trends and opportunities.
- Monitor the collection of activity data and assist in the formulation of weekly, monthly, and annual reports.
- Attends trainings to stay current and relevant with best practices in the field of interpretation.
- Collaborates with the Marketing Section to develop strategies and produce marketing materials for programs and events.
- Conducts interviews, recommends candidates for hire, performs staff evaluations and counseling, sets goals and objectives.
- Manages office operations, obtaining programming supplies for educators, volunteers, and staff.
- Provide customer service to both the internal and external clients.
- Completes fiscal and financial reports as required.
- Compiles data and creates monthly reports.
- Handles customer requests, inquiries, and concerns. Coordinates responses with facility and registration staff.
- Works regular weekday, evening and weekend hours and provides on-call assistance.
- Responsible for identifying and applying good sustainability practices into all aspects of Department operations.
- Serves on committees as assigned.
- Assists in maintaining CAPRA standards.
- This position may be deemed as essential in an emergency at the discretion of the director.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervises contingent employees.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor Degree and two (2) years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Bachelor’s Degree in museum studies, History, African American History, Public History, Historic Preservation, Archaeology, or a related field.
- Strong background and experience in history and heritage tourism.
- Experience in interpretive history programming and education.
- Experience in a supervisory/management capacity.
- Computer skills especially in Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Outlook as well as website management.
- Good organizational skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and the public
- Proficient in public relations skills, accounting procedures and effective data entry abilities.
- Experience interpreting African American history.
- Ability to research, analyze, and interpret academic sources such as historiographical works, journal articles, and primary sources, and present that information to the public in a coherent manner.
- Ability to exercise tact, discretion, and judgment with patrons in person and on the telephone.
- Ability to exercise initiative, imagination, and sound judgment in making decisions conforming to Department and NHRD policies.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The work environment encountered with this position is a combination of both indoor environments consistent with working in an office, meeting/classroom and in outdoor interpretation. This would include activities in hot, cold, wet, rainy, snowy and other forms of inclement weather conditions.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
- Possession of a valid driver’s license. License must remain valid, as long as individual is employed in this class.
- Possession of CPR and First Aid certification.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).
Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.
The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at
FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County’s flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.
GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.
PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.
ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.
DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician’s certificate.
PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over.
HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays:
New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Day; President’s Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran’s Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.
OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.
RETIREMENT: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.
Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan.
Howard County Police and Fire Employees’ Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan.
SOCIAL SECURITY: Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate.
457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee’s direction on a tax deferred basis.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services.
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $1500 contingent upon County funding.
LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS: Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit.
DISABILITY LEAVE BANK: Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank’s Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources.
VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, universal life insurance, and discounted auto/homeowner’s insurance programs.
CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.
01
The supplemental questions are a very important first step in our screening process. Therefore, you are required to complete these questions so that we may initially determine your eligibility for this position. A lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application may result in failure or disqualification for this position. This means you will be ineligible for further consideration in this recruitment process.Please check “yes” to show that you have read and understand this statement.
- Yes
- No
02
Are you willing to accept a salary offer within the salary hiring range commensurate with applicable experience/qualifications? $63,650 – $67,550
- Yes, I am willing to accept the starting salary hiring range.
- No, I am not willing to accept the starting salary hiring range.
03
Do you possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Museum Studies, African American History, Public History, Historic Preservation, Archaeology, or closely related field of study?
- Yes
- No
04
If you possess a Bachelor’s degree, please state what field of study your degree is conferred in the space provided below.
05
Do you possess two (2) years of experience conducting research and creating programming focusing on the African American achievements, experience, and story?
- Yes
- No
06
If you possess two (2) years of experience conducting research and creating programming focusing on the African American achievements, experience, and story, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that “See Resume” is not an adequate response.
07
Do you possess museum operations and management experience?
- Yes
- No
08
If you possess museum operations and management experience, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that “See Resume” is not an adequate response.
09
Do you possess customer service and public contact experience?
- Yes
- No
10
If you possess customer service and public contact experience, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that “See Resume” is not an adequate response.
11
Do you possess supervisory/managerial experience comprised of interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems?
- Yes
- No
12
If you possess supervisory/managerial experience, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, position and responsibilities. Be advised that “See Resume” is not an adequate response.
13
Do you possess experience interpreting African American history?
- Yes
- No
14
If you possess experience interpreting African American history, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that “See Resume” is not an adequate response.
15
Do you possess experience developing, planning and participating in public programs offerings related to a historic site?
- Yes
- No
16
If you possess experience developing, planning and participating in public programs offerings related to a historic site, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities. Be advised that “See Resume” is not an adequate response.
17
Please describe any experience you possess in public relations accounting procedures, and data entry in the space provided below. If you do not possess any experience, please state “Not Applicable” (N/A). Be advised that “See Resume” is not an adequate response.
18
Are you aware that this position may be deemed as essential in an emergency, meaning that you are expected to work during inclement weather, emergency situations, and at an on-call basis?
- Yes
- No
19
Which of the following best describes your level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Outlook)?
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Expert
- None
20
Are you aware that this position includes a flexible schedule which includes regular weekday, evening and weekend hours?
- Yes
- No
21
Do you possess First Aid and CPR/AED certification?
- Yes
- No
22
Do you possess a valid driver’s license?
- Yes
- No
23
I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and/or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit www.governmentjobs.com, click on the “career seekers” link, and follow the prompts.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
24
I certify that the information submitted in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false, erroneous, and/or misleading information may result in elimination from the hiring process and termination of employment if hired.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
Required Question