Exhibit Designer

East Bay Regional Park District • Pleasanton, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The East Bay Regional Park District is currently recruiting for an Exhibit Designer in the Creative Design Group located in Pleasanton, CA. The Exhibit Designer maintains, repairs, and retrofits existing exhibits, interpretive displays, and visitor center environments to keep them functional, safe, and engaging for the public, with occasional opportunities to design and fabricate new elements. This hands-on, hardware-focused role blends exhibit repair, fabrication, woodworking, graphic production, and project coordination to keep exhibits in good working order over their lifespan. Most of the work involves troubleshooting wear and damage, replacing components, and adapting existing installations to new needs, while a smaller portion involves conceptualizing and building new exhibits from the ground up. The Exhibit Designer collaborates with internal teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure exhibits remain visually compelling, durable, and accessible. Success in this role requires technical craftsmanship, problem-solving, adaptability, attention to detail, and a commitment to preserving and extending the life of educational exhibits through careful maintenance and thoughtful repair. The hiring pools established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur during the one-year life of the hiring pools.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in fine art, commercial art, graphic or industrial design, or a related field.
• Two years of experience in the planning, design, fabrication, and installation of natural science, museum, or historical exhibits.
• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is a condition of initial and continued employment.
• Principles, methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the design, fabrication, installation and maintenance of visitor center exhibits, publications and interpretive panels.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as graphic design, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Use a wide variety of hand and power tools.
• Lift and move objects.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Fabricate new construction and repair or replace existing construction.
• Design and install new electrical components.
• Repair and/or replace existing electrical components.
• Operate office equipment including computers.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers.
• Must be able to pass a Level 1 background check, which includes employment history verification, employee reference check, education verification, and medical and criminal history review.
• Must wear a Park District Uniform.
• Depending on work location and assignment, ability to use a respirator in the performance of work.
• In accordance with CAL OSHA respirator regulations, Title 8, 5144 (c) (g) (l) (A) (l.), incumbent shall not wear facial hair (e.g. beards, long sideburns, etc.) that impedes the effectiveness of the respirator.

Nice To Haves

• Practical, hands-on problem-solver with the ability to diagnose wear, damage, and functional issues in existing exhibits and develop effective, durable repair solutions.
• Skilled in woodworking, carpentry, fabrication, and the safe operation of power and hand tools, with the ability to match materials, finishes, and construction methods to existing exhibit components.
• Familiar with electrical systems, including wiring, LED lighting, and retrofitting exhibit components to extend their functional lifespan.
• Working knowledge of 3D design software (preferably Rhino) and graphic design tools, used primarily to document existing exhibits, plan repairs, and occasionally develop new exhibit elements.
• Detail-oriented and patient, with a commitment to producing high-quality repair and retrofit work through careful testing, revisions, and continuous improvement.
• Adaptable and comfortable managing multiple projects, shifting priorities, and a wide variety of maintenance and repair assignments where no two days are the same.
• Resourceful and innovative, with the ability to reuse and repurpose materials, troubleshoot aging components, and find practical, creative solutions to keep exhibits running.
• Strong communicator who works effectively with colleagues, contractors, and stakeholders at all levels, providing excellent customer service.
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership over the long-term care of exhibits, and a willingness to learn from challenges, embrace feedback, and continuously improve maintenance practices.

Responsibilities

• Develops concepts and recommends the design and content of visitor center exhibits, interpretive panels and publications.
• Prepares detailed structural and mechanical designs, drawings, layout designs, cost estimates, material lists, construction and installation details.
• Takes photographs, researches and collects artifacts and photos for display purposes.
• Constructs, spray paints, installs and maintains models, exhibits, and interpretive panels.
• Produces artwork and graphic designs, detailed illustrations, digital paintings and drawings for exhibits and publications using computer software and traditional media.
• Proofs all projects for text errors and correct color.
• Purchases materials and builds exhibit cabinetry, including mechanical components.
• Operates power and hand woodworking tools.
• Fabricates, repairs, and/or replaces new and existing construction.
• Designs, installs, repairs and/or replaces new and existing electrical components within the visitor center exhibits.
• Acts as a liaison with one or more exhibit design and construction contractors to convey work plans and to coordinate and review work in progress, as needed.
• Coordinates the work of Park District employees assigned to aspects of exhibit construction and installation, as needed.
• Coordinates with the Finance Department regarding purchase order requests and purchase orders.
• Assists in the creation and forecasting of project budgets and parameters.
• Supervises vendors and contractors throughout projects.
• Maintains records.
• Keeps the shop neat, clean, organized and well supplied.
• Maintains tools and equipment.
• Stays abreast of technology and new developments in the exhibit field.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS).
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development.
• Free on-site parking.
• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level