Exhibition Manager

* THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE*

Job Summary

The Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Museums and History Division, is recruiting for an Exhibits Manager in the Las Vegas area. This role requires a deep understanding of exhibition best practices, including accessibility, lighting design, and interpretive strategies. Candidates should have five to seven years of professional experience in exhibit design with a proven record of managing complex projects from inception to completion. The ideal candidate is passionate about storytelling through physical space and committed to creating memorable, educational, and inspiring environments for the public. Proficiency in 3D modeling software (such as SketchUp, Rhino, or 3ds Max) and graphic design software (including Adobe Creative Suite) is essential, along with a robust portfolio showcasing innovative exhibition designs for museums, galleries, or similar cultural venues. General knowledge of supervisory techniques is also required. Responsibilities include developing design concepts; creating detailed drawings and specifications; managing budgets and timelines; overseeing fabrication and installation; and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. The position also involves overseeing requests for proposals, contractor bidding and selection, and participating in contract negotiations and the preparation of construction agreements, professional service agreements, and purchase orders. Strong spatial reasoning, conceptual thinking, visual communication, and excellent verbal and written communication skills are critical. The Exhibits Manager will translate exhibition narratives into compelling three-dimensional spaces that engage and inform diverse audiences and will participate in all stages of the design process, including reviewing shop drawings and monitoring fabrication progress to ensure quality and design intent. The role also assists with exhibition deinstallation.

Essential Qualifications

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in museum studies, exhibition design, industrial arts, commercial arts, graphic design, graphic arts, or related field and two years of professional experience in the design, development and operation of exhibits or exhibit programs in a museum, gallery or comparable setting; OR a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in museum studies, exhibition design, industrial arts, commercial arts, graphic design, graphic arts or related field and three years of professional experience as described above; OR two years of experience as an Exhibit Preparator II in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Job Duties

Design exhibits by reviewing objectives, researching historical and/or scientific information, and consulting with curators; plan layout within allotted space, with consideration for artifacts and materials available; coordinate activities with staff including education program coordinators, contractors, outside services, and the public in order to determine and plan criteria for displays.

Construct exhibits, displays and display scenes after reviewing plans and determining needed materials; utilize pictures or sketches to recreate specific scenes; build or reconstruct scenes or displays, apply surface treatment and/or paint, and make necessary considerations or modifications to achieve proper color, perspectives, or layout; furnish scenes with artifacts and specimens in order to create a realistic and accurate display area.

Maintain exhibit area, artifacts, and specimens by implementing procedures for the preservation and security of artifacts; check periodically for wear or damage; ascertain and check for proper case light intensities, temperature, and humidity; implement pest control methods; retouch or reconstruct items; replace artifacts or specimens in order to ensure exhibits and specimens are protected and retain an appropriate appearance.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Under general direction, incumbents are responsible for managing all aspects of complex exhibit programs including project funding and budget, staffing levels, work assignments and direction, and long and short-range planning of exhibit programs. Incumbents manage a staff of Exhibit Preparators and other staff and volunteers involved in the design, construction, installation and maintenance of exhibits. The exhibit programs cover a variety of specialized areas including Nevada, western United States and Great Basin prehistory, and history, natural history and/or art.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Detailed knowledge of: methods, materials and techniques used to design, construct and/or modify exhibits, scenes and displays; elements of graphic design and graphic arts.

Working knowledge of: trends in exhibit design and display techniques; museum environmental controls, safety procedures and standards in the design and construction of exhibits; State and agency policy regarding work unit operations.

General knowledge of: supervisory techniques.

Ability to: determine the most cost effective and efficient method of exhibit design, construction, maintenance and repair; estimate time and materials required to complete projects; perform feasibility studies and estimating costs; manage a variety of projects simultaneously; develop solutions to unique problems; communicate both orally and in writing with staff and the public.

Recruiter Contact Information: Susan Fowler - ***email_hidden***

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.

Benefits Include

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU).

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF).

• State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.

The Following Are Legal Holidays

January 1.............................................. New Year's Day

Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Third Monday in February................ Washington’s Birthday

Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day

June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day

July 4.................................................... Independence Day

First Monday in September.............. Labor Day

Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day

November 11........................................ Veterans' Day

Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day

Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day

December 25........................................ Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255

Do you have any of the following?

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in museum studies, exhibition design, industrial arts, commercial arts, graphic design, graphic arts, or related field and two years of professional experience in the design, development and operation of exhibits or exhibit programs in a museum, gallery or comparable setting.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in museum studies, exhibition design, industrial arts, commercial arts, graphic design, graphic arts or related field and three years of professional experience as described above.
• Two years of experience as an Exhibit Preparator 2 in Nevada State service.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.
• None of the above.
• Required Question