See Parks Interpretive Assistant.

Provides professional level interpretive services and has responsibility for the operational management of a facility and interpretive services for the assigned park and/or park area.

This is the senior level of the series who works under general direction.  Positions at this level are responsible for the operation of complex year-round interpretive facilities.  

OR  

Provides year-round services at an advanced interpretive facility of historical, geological or archeological significance, responsible for interpretive programs for a designated Park and/or Park Area.

Provides technical expertise in interpretive facility design and layout; and serves as consultant on brochures, promotional, educational and interpretive displays for the Department and other state, county, city, and community organizations;

Coordinates the development of recommendations of design and type of displays in order for the Department to contract for construction;

Secures materials, tools and other supplies used in construction of interpretive displays; 

Responsible for research, development, design and presentation of interpretive program services to the public through formal presentations, guided tours, self-guided exhibits and other interpretive media. Serves as the senior curator and custodian for identifying, preserving, cataloging, restoring and guarding specimens, art objects, or historical records;  

Plan and organize interpretive and non-interpretive oriented special events;  

Coordinate with formal Friends groups and/or partners for seasonal/annual events; interpretive project planning and work plan development; 

Assists in the development and updating of cooperative agreements; digital media development and associated presentation activities;  

Recruit, train and supervise volunteer participating in interpretive services;  

Provide visitor customer service by responding to inquiries and administering park rules and regulations; 

Conducts educational presentations to off-site locations such as schools and other organizations;  

Participates in and is responsible for marketing and revenue generating activities for a facility and/or Park Area;  

Responsible for routine maintenance and custodial work of the facility and grounds;

Performs inspections at interpretive facilities and recommends appropriate action for upkeep and changes of existing displays and multi-media;

Researches, designs and develops park interpretive materials and formal programs for the visiting public in state parks;

Supervises personnel engaged in interpretive programs; coordinates interpretive programs with other agencies and groups as required;

Trains personnel, including Park Rangers, in interpretation techniques;

Develops environmental education programs;

Coordinates, researches, develops, and implements interpretive services;

Coordinates marketing of interpretive programs to park visitors and the general public;

Assists in writing and reviewing contracts and grant applications;

Provides interpretive programs in the local community and schools; 

Provides customer service to park visitors. Oversees facility entry fee collection and daily fee reconciliation and transmittals;  

May supervise lower level staff. 

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of: interpretive techniques as related to interpretive centers, exhibits, brochures, communication methods; exhibit philosophy, design and production (including audio-visual), printing processes and research techniques; cost estimating of exhibits, brochures and interpretive centers.  

Ability to: develop criteria for interpretive centers, including building requirements and coordination with architects; develop exhibit concepts, including design and supervision of fabrication and installation; advise other agencies, cities, counties, and Parks staff on matters relating to interpretive techniques, facilities, exhibits, and publications.

Incumbents must maintain competency of natural history and cultural topics; and positions require media and professional interpretation education or training.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification.  It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

A Bachelor's degree involving major study in interpretation of Pacific Northwest history, anthropology, geology, forestry, archaeology, ecology or a closely allied field.

A Bachelor's degree involving major study in interpretation history, American history, anthropology, geology, forestry, archaeology, ecology, or allied field.  

Experience in historic preservation or in historic or natural science research or interpretation may be substituted, year for year, for education. 

AND 

Two years of experience in natural history or historical interpretation gained through operation of an interpretive facility and/or curatorial experience.  

A Master's degree may be substituted for one year of experience.  

Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for education.

New class adopted May 24, 1974.
Revise class.  Revises title (formerly Interpretive Consultant), definition, minimum qualifications; adopted January 9, 1981.
Revise class.  Revises class code (formerly 2564); adopted July 1, 1991.
Revise class.  Revises class code (formerly 97250), general revision; adopted May 10, 2007 effective July 10, 2007.
Revised salary range, class title, definition, typical work, distinguishing characteristics, knowledge and abilities and desirable qualifications; adopted June 30, 2017, effective July 1, 2017.