DIRECTOR, MUSEUM AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT

BACKGROUND AND MISSION
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District’s Museum and Education 
Department tells
the story of the Grand Prairie region through interpretation of its 
natural and cultural
resources. The department features the Museum of the Grand Prairie, 
containing 8,000 square
feet of exhibit space plus a recently completed 4,000 square foot 
addition dedicated to
classroom space and collections storage. The museum is located within 
Lake of the Woods
Forest Preserve, 10 miles west of the Champaign‐Urbana metro area in 
Champaign County,
Illinois. The museum was founded in 1968 and has been accredited by the 
American
Association of Museums since 1972.

The Homer Lake Interpretive Center, a satellite facility of the Museum 
of the Grand Prairie,
provides residents of eastern Champaign County nearby access to 
educational programming
and exhibits that focus on the local landscape and natural habitats. The 
Interpretive Center
was constructed in 1976 and is located within the District’s Homer Lake 
Forest Preserve.
The Museum and Education Department, with its 17‐member staff, fulfills 
the District’s
educational mission of collecting, preserving, and interpreting the 
natural and cultural history
of Champaign County and east central Illinois. Through the diverse 
educational experiences
we offer throughout the preserves, our vision is to inspire audiences 
with a sense of
connection to and stewardship of the Grand Prairie landscape.

THE COMMUNITY
Champaign County, Illinois, located in the east central part of the 
state, has a population of
201,000. It is anchored by the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, and 
is home to the
University of Illinois, the state’s flagship public university and a 
world‐class research
institution. U.S. Interstates 57, 72 & 74 intersect in the county 
providing easy access to
Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Two major regional medical 
facilities, Carle Foundation
Hospital and Provena Covenant Medical Center, offer state‐of‐the‐art 
health care and
employment opportunities for the community.
Champaign County rivals much larger communities in terms of amenities, 
from arts and
culture to sports and outdoor recreation. It offers the best of urban 
life, yet is attentive to the
preservation and celebration of its unique prairie heritage and rich 
agricultural history.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT
The Museum and Education Department is an operational department within 
the Champaign
County Forest Preserve District. The District is a local, property 
tax‐supported government
agency charged with the stewardship of five forest preserves covering 
3,885 acres in
Champaign County, Illinois. The Forest Preserve District was established 
by referendum in
1935. The Museum of the Grand Prairie and Homer Lake Interpretive Center 
are situated
within two of the District’s larger preserves.

MUSEUM AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR
The Museum and Education Department recently carried out a strategic 
planning process to
better align the mission and vision of the Museum of the Grand Prairie 
and Homer Lake
Interpretive Center with that of the Forest Preserve District. The 
planning process included
the revision of the Department’s interpretive and exhibit plans. The 
Forest Preserve District is
now in search of a dynamic, visionary, and experienced Director to guide 
the Department’s
next phase of growth.
The Director is responsible for the leadership and management of the 
Museum and Education
Department – its collections, facilities, staff and volunteers. The 
scope of responsibility
includes departmental administration, budgeting, oversight of 
programmatic endeavors,
community relations, grant research, and fundraising. The annual 
departmental budget is
approximately $450,000, with an additional museum store budget of about 
$13,000. The
Museum and Education Director reports to the Deputy Executive Director 
of the Forest
Preserve District.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct the continuing emergence of the Museum of the Grand Prairie and 
the Homer Lake
Interpretive Center as visitor‐centered, regional destinations for 
learning and exploration.

Attract new and diverse audiences to the museum facilities; increase 
visitation numbers
and encourage new supporters while maintaining strong relationships with 
existing
donors and partners.

Maintain professional standards to assure ongoing achievement of Museum 
of the Grand
Prairie AAM accreditation and develop a plan to enhance the 
functionality and impact of
the Homer Lake Interpretive Center.

Develop and manage the annual budget to achieve financial goals and 
outcomes, with an
eye to the long‐term financial stability of the museum facilities and 
gift store.

Oversee the acquisition and conservation of the collection for the 
successful interpretation
and exhibition of the Grand Prairie’s cultural and natural heritage.

Ensure ongoing programming excellence, including a system of rigorous 
program
evaluation and attention to programs that attract a growing and diverse 
audience base.

Serve as the departmental liaison to the Forest Preserve District’s 
board and staff, the
community, and peer organizations working in the fields of natural and 
cultural history.

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in history, museum studies, natural resources, 
education, business, or
closely related field of study. Master’s degree preferred.

Five years of experience as a museum professional, preferably in an 
accredited museum
setting. An equivalent, relevant combination of education and experience 
may be
considered.

Experience in managing or conducting environmental or cultural education 
or interpretive
programming.

Strong team leadership skills and a proven ability to motivate and 
develop staff.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including the use of 
electronic formats.
Ability to communicate effectively and easily with volunteers, donors, 
professional peers,
board members, and a diverse audience base.

Experience with strategic and financial planning, including budget 
development, grant
research, and fundraising practices.
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is an equal opportunity 
employer. We encourage
candidates with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds to apply.

COMPENSATION
The salary range for the position of Museum and Education Department 
Director is $42,400 ‐
$59,400 commensurate with experience. The Champaign County Forest 
Preserve District
offers a comprehensive benefits package including health and dental 
insurance, twelve paid
holidays per year, a deferred compensation program (457 plan), and 
participation in the
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund pension plan.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The Board of Commissioners of the Champaign County Forest Preserve 
District invites
applications to fill this position. For full consideration, applications 
should be submitted by
February 1, 2013.

All applications or inquiries should be referred to:
Champaign County Forest Preserve District
Attn: Mary Beck
P.O. Box 1040
Mahomet, IL 61853
All applicant packets must contain the following information to merit 
consideration.
1. Formal letter of application indicating reasons you desire to be a 
candidate.
2. Current resume that includes, but is not limited to, educational 
background, employment
history (including dates of employment) as it relates to the 
qualifications noted herein,
number of employees supervised, and budget experience.
3. Three to five professional references with complete names, addresses 
and contact
information.
4. A Champaign County Forest Preserve District employment application 
form must be
submitted. We request permission to contact past employers and conduct a 
criminal and
financial background check. The application form can be downloaded at
http://www.ccfpd.org/About/employment

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