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 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . 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