Assistant Commissioner/Director

Assistant Commissioner, SG-NS

(Management/Confidential)                          

The New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education is seeking candidates for the position of Assistant Commissioner, to serve as the Director of the New York State Museum. Under the general supervision of the Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education and working closely with the Commissioner of Education and the Board of Regents, the incumbent of this position is responsible for the oversight and direction of all activities of the New York State Museum.

The New York State Museum is the primary museum for interpretation of the natural and human history of New York State, with 100,000 square feet of exhibition space, welcoming approximately half a million visitors annually. Founded in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in the United States. With over 110 professional staff—including historians, scientists, exhibit planners, designers, educators, and public programming staff—the Museum leads research and education across a wide range of disciplines. It houses a world-class collection of over 20 million artifacts reflecting New York’s extraordinary cultural and natural history. The Museum receives more than $17.5 million in State and federal funding, which supports a range of initiatives from public programs and educational outreach to cutting-edge research in biology, geology, paleontology, archaeology, ethnography, and history.  

As part of the Office of Cultural Education, the Museum is located within the Cultural Education Center in Albany, NY that includes the New York State Library and the New York State Archives. New initiatives include a $20 million exhibition gallery renewal project; a $10 million interactive children’s STEAM experience; and a $60 million state-of-the-art storage facility in collaboration with the State Archives and State Library.

Consistently ranked among the top 25 best places to live in the United States, Albany, New York—New York State’s capital and oldest city—is a vibrant hub of governance, industry, and culture. It is the State’s third largest metropolitan area with around 1.1 million residents with excellent access to natural, scenic, recreation and cultural resources. With its stable economy, affordable living, and world-class infrastructure, in addition to its prominent role in State policymaking and government operation, Albany is a center for technology, healthcare, education and finance.

For visionary candidates ready to serve as the next Director of the New York State Museum, Albany provides the ideal opportunity for transformative leadership. The major duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide leadership and vision and set standards for the Museum’s public programs, exhibitions, collections management, and research. Integrate diverse collections into a cohesive overall museum program;
• Provide leadership for ongoing and future capital investments in the Museum’s exhibit spaces and in collections storage areas;
• Provide leadership in the development of a new strategic plan;
• Manage the process to secure accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums;
• Provide guidance and direction to museum staff in implementing long-range plans that maintain and further develop quality research, collections management, exhibition, and public education programs;
• Enhance the Museum’s outreach to children and their families in a manner that is inclusive of all children and all families. Provide inclusive, interactive, and engaging children’s programming that aligns with the New York State Learning Standards;
• Advise the Board of Regents, the Commissioner of Education and the Deputy Commissioner on policy matters related to research and education that concern the Museum and that will guide the Museum’s future direction;
• Provide leadership in developing policies and standards both for the New York State Museum and for museums and historical societies throughout the State. Oversee the development and implementation of statewide standards for the operation of museum and historical societies chartered by the Board of Regents as non-profit educational organizations;
• Address, along with Museum staff, important topical issues such as repatriation of sensitive collections, threats to biodiversity, audience accessibility, multicultural representation in collections and public programs, collections conservation, and future directions for research; decide on correct course of action in maintaining professional standards and ethical practices for the New York State Museum;
• Assure presentation of cohesive educational programs that use a variety of formats and new communication technology. Education programs include permanent and temporary exhibitions, symposia, conferences, public programs, school programs, and teacher training;
• Assure active and pertinent research and publications and the preservation and growth of the Museum’s collections. Strengthen ties with other State agencies, the business community, and the public to share the Museum’s research and staff expertise on environmental and cultural issues and museum practices;
• Promote and strengthen relationships with corporate, foundation and governmental partners; take the primary role in developing and strengthening public/private partnerships in support of museum programs;
• Develop programmatic and operational improvements to achieve efficiencies and ensure an effective program; and
• Serve as an advocate for the New York State Museum and museums throughout the State by increasing awareness of facilities, collections, research, and programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must possess a master’s degree or higher and have relevant senior level leadership and management experience including a record of proven results and responsibility in a museum environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Special consideration will be given to candidates who possess the following skills:

• Leadership experience in a cultural institution or educational organization.
• Strong evidence of success in advocacy for programs and needed resources.
• Evidence of excellent communication and networking skills, and positive professional relationships with staff and internal and external stakeholders.
• Up-to-date understanding of applications of technology to education and cultural purposes.
• Success overseeing major construction and/or design projects and managing complex budgets.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This position is in the exempt class and the incumbent will serve at the discretion of the Commissioner of Education. Verification of degree and professional experience will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. Filling of this position is contingent upon Division of the Budget approval.

APPLICATION: The New York State Education Department has engaged Dr. Brent D. Glass to lead recruitment efforts for this position. Dr. Glass is Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. Recruitment will continue until the position is filled. Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest, addressed to Dr. Glass, to [email protected] (email submissions are preferred) or Dr. Brent D. Glass, 1921 Sunderland Place NW, Washington, DC 20036. Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs).

New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records.

Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:

Holiday & Paid Time Off

• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Eight (8) days paid sick leave annually.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.

Health Care Benefits

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

Additional Benefits

• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave and Paid Family Leave.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.