Assistant Commissioner

Education Department • Albany, NY

306d • $193,674 - $193,674

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• Candidates must possess a master's degree or higher.
• Relevant senior level leadership and management experience including a record of proven results and responsibility in a museum environment.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and vision and set standards for the Museum's public programs, exhibitions, collections management, and research.
• 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.
• 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.
• Provide leadership in developing policies and standards for the New York State Museum and for museums and historical societies throughout the State.
• Address important topical issues such as repatriation of sensitive collections, threats to biodiversity, audience accessibility, multicultural representation in collections and public programs.
• Assure presentation of cohesive educational programs that use a variety of formats and new communication technology.
• Assure active and pertinent research and publications and the preservation and growth of the Museum's collections.
• Promote and strengthen relationships with corporate, foundation and governmental partners.
• Develop programmatic and operational improvements to achieve efficiencies and ensure an effective program.
• Serve as an advocate for the New York State Museum and museums throughout the State.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Ambulatory Health Care Services
• Education Level: Master's degree