Job Description

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

The Palisades Region of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is one of 11 Park Regions in New York State operating 180 State Parks and 37 Historic Sites. The Palisades Region covers four counties: Rockland, Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan. Facilities consist of 16 parks, 7 historic sites, 1 golf course, 10 swimming facilities, a museum and zoo, and includes more than 100,000 acres of land. Each facility is host to numerous seasonal and annual programs, events and holiday tours.

National Purple Heart Hall of Honor (NPHHH):

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New York's Hudson River Valley honors the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart. The Hall of Honor is co-located with the New Windsor Cantonment, which was occupied by the Continental Army during the final months of the American Revolutionary War. The Hall of Honor is located here to commemorate the awarding of the Purple Heart to 136 local World War I veterans on these same grounds May 28, 1932. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been killed or wounded by enemy action and is America's oldest military decoration.

The Hall of Honor is the only museum in the nation dedicated to commemorating the sacrifices of the estimated 1.8 million recipients of this award it is believed there have been since its creation in 1932. The mission of the Hall of Honor is to collect, preserve and share the stories of Purple Heart recipients from all branches of service and across all conflicts for which the award has been available. This is best demonstrated through the Roll of Honor, an electronic database where visitors can search for Purple Heart recipients or view a changing selection of Featured Recipients. The Roll of Honor can be viewed at the Hall of Honor or on-line at

The site itself features the Hall of Honor Galleries which take visitors through the entire Purple Heart Journey. Throughout the galleries there are Purple Heart Journey Interactive stations which follow featured recipients throughout their Journey: From entering service, to the day of the incident, during care and treatment, on the road to recovery, or to the ultimate sacrifice. Visitors will experience this journey through stories, letters, documents, images, audio and video clips of Purple Heart recipients sharing their stories. In addition, there are Personal Story cases highlighting six extraordinary Purple Heart recipients.

DUTIES:

The selected candidate will be the highest-ranking state official at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and is responsible for all aspects of NPHHH’s operations including the overall administration and management of the facility and collections, security, and maintenance.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Administers rules, regulations, and policies of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP), and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC).
• Ensures all activities at the site meet New York State standards for interpretation, operations, and care of an historic collection.
• Manages the overall administration of the site, collections, and maintenance of grounds.
• Supervises all staff, volunteers, and interns. Conducts interviews with prospective employees & completes performance reviews as appropriate.
• Responsible for the planning, development, management, and evaluation of all programming, special events, and services at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.
• Works with national, regional, and local organizations and government entities to promote the NPHHH and its programs, encouraging support for, participation in, and use of the site.
• Works with the Division for Historic Preservation (DHP) within OPRHP.
• Inspects and evaluates facilities to determine the need for routine or emergency maintenance and major capital improvements. Schedules and oversees maintenance and repair projects in collaboration with regional maintenance and/or contractors as appropriate.
• Works with regional and agency staff on site development plans.
• Oversees the scheduling and use of the facility.
• Prepares budgets and administers finances for the Site as appropriate. Reviews and approves expenditures and prepares and administers state-funded allocations for operation of the site.
• Prepares a variety of administrative and financial reports.
• Develops and administers rules, regulations, and policies as appropriate.
• Ensures the historical accuracy of exhibits and all interpretation activities.
• Develops, implements, and coordinates emergency preparedness and response procedures for patrons and employees, documenting as appropriate. Ensures safety of patrons & employees.
• Responsible for site security and security of the historic collections.
• Responds to visitors’ concerns & issues.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Seven years of experience in museum or historic site operations involving collection management, interpretation, research, and/or exhibition. **

** At least three years of the seven years of experience above must include administration. Administrative experience encompasses skills and tasks that support the efficient operation of an organization, facility, or office, including financial administration, coordination, communication, scheduling, planning, or office management.

At least one year of the seven years of experience above must include supervision .

Education may be substituted for experience:

• Associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience;
• Bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience;
• Master’s degree may substitute for five years of specialized experience;
• J.D. may substitute for six years of specialized experience;
• Ph.D. may substitute for seven years of specialized experience

The one year of supervisory experience cannot be substituted.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Candidates who are veterans of military service, with added emphasis afforded to Purple Heart recipients, are encouraged to apply.
• Excellent communication skills and experience working collaboratively with a variety of constituents, government entities and organizations.
• Public Relations Experience developing and presenting programs and information and ideas to diverse audiences. Marketing including writing press releases and developing promotional materials.
• Knowledge of U.S. Military and/or Veterans History. Experience working with veteran population, veterans’ organization(s) and/or military history museum.
• Two years of supervisory experience.

OPERATIONAL NEEDS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
• Must be able to work daytime, evenings, weekends, and holidays as operationally necessary.

BENEFITS:

The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation offers a generous benefits package that includes but is not limited to:

Paid Time Off:

• 39 days - 13 Vacation days, 8 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
• Eligible for unlimited days of professional leave to participate in professional development, but at the supervisor’s discretion.

Health Care:

• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits:

• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Family Leave

To learn more about our benefits, visit:

Location Pay:

The hiring rate will be the sum of the statutory hiring rate for M/C Grade 23 ($86,773) and the Mid-Hudson Adjustment ($2,000). The job rate will be the sum of the statutory job rate ($108,413) and the Mid-Hudson Adjustment ($2,000).

TO APPLY:

If you feel you meet the minimum qualifications and the agency’s operating needs, and are interested in being considered for this vacancy, you can obtain an Employment Application from your local park office, your region’s administrative headquarters or you can download an application from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation by visiting the website at

Please forward your application and resume to Sheila McCaffrey at employment@parks.ny.gov and include “Dir. National Purple Heart Hall of Honor - Item #7630” in the subject line of your email.

All qualified persons are invited and encouraged to apply.

Pay: $88,773.00 - $110,413.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

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