Interpretive Programs Assistant
The Interpretive Programs Assistant is responsible for the development and delivery of school, community, and visitor programming as well as research into the history and cultural legacy of the historic site and its environments. The duties of this position will include but are not limited to the following:
- Writing exhibits and historic signage for installation at New York State historic sites
- Writing content for temporary exhibits, circulated at New York State historic sites and public cultural locations.
- Delivering lectures and other programming
- Developing and administering educational and historic interpretation and visitors' programs, including exhibits, seminars, workshops, lectures, guided tours, written materials, and craft demonstrations
- Preparing, scheduling, and conducting seminars, lectures, and educational programs.
- Developing, coordinating, and overseeing special events that promote and interpret the programming.
- Training and supervising seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers in providing visitor services tasks and performing activities concerning handicrafts, work, and art of the program area.
- Arranging, scheduling, and conducting educational programs for schools, the community, and special interest groups.
- Developing professional relationships with other sites, schools, professional groups, and community organizations to gain support for the site and its activities.
- Assisting with the installation of exhibits.
- Supervising and conducting guided tours.
- Supervise interns for the projects above as needed.
If Civil Service Eligible list(s) exist, they will be canvassed. You may also apply if you are eligible for appointment by one of the following qualifications:
- If you have previous or current employment at a NYS agency, to be considered for this position, a review of your state history is needed. Please provide the last four digits of your social security number in your email response or on your resume. If you are not comfortable providing this information in your response, a representative from our office may contact you.
- NY HELPS or 55-b/c Qualifications:
- This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*
- To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55-b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:
- Either 1: five years of experience developing and conducting a professional program of interpretation in either a historic house; historic site; historic park; the history section of a museum; or in the interpretation section of a governmental agency having responsibility for historic house museums, historic sites, or a cultural center providing professional-level cultural or historic exhibits.
- Or 2: a bachelor's degree** or higher in historic preservation, museum studies, education, history, American studies, anthropology, or architectural history AND one year of experience developing and conducting a professional program of interpretation in either a historic house; historic site; historic park; the history section of a museum; or in the interpretation section of a governmental agency having responsibility for historic house museums, historic sites, or a cultural center providing professional-level cultural or historic exhibits.
- *Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States or its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. This information can be found at Candidates are responsible for the evaluation fee. If you are a veteran or an individual with a disability and would like to apply for the Department of Civil Service's 55-b/c Program, please visit for more information.
- Reassignment Qualifications: Current NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Employees only, with at least one year of permanent or contingent-permanent qualifying service as an Interpretive Programs Assistant; if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current Interpretive Programs Assistant eligible list for this location.
- 70.1 Transfer Qualifications: At least one year of permanent or contingent-permanent qualifying service as a Historic Preservation Program Analyst, SG 18. Only the title listed is eligible for transfer. For all transfers noted, a comprehensive list of titles approved for transfer is available through Civil Service GOT-IT at
Operational Needs:
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
- Experience in museum education both delivery and creation of content.
- Statewide travel, including nights and weekends will be required in this position up to 10% of the time.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.