Interpretive Planning and Development Manager

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. 

The Oregon Zoo is seeking an Interpretive Planning and Development Manager to lead the creation and execution of a comprehensive, zoo-wide interpretive plan. This role will also oversee the development of new interpretive signage and exhibit experiences throughout the zoo which support the zoo capital projects funded by the 2024 General Obligation Bond. The successful candidate will manage both internal and external exhibit developers, including writers and content creators, to ensure that all exhibit interpretive content aligns with the zoo’s strategic goals and interpretive vision. Additionally, this position will work closely with exhibit project managers and external evaluation consultants to ensure high-quality, engaging experiences for zoo guests.

In this role, you will work independently while reporting to the Director of Campus Planning and Development. The Interpretive Planning and Development Manager will provide creative direction, develop interpretive strategies, and organize content throughout the entire process — from research and planning to development, implementation, evaluation, and updates. The interpretive framework will be designed to provide relevant context for diverse audiences, fostering active engagement with information and experiences that align with the mission and goals of the zoo. This position will collaborate with various zoo divisions to ensure that the overall guest experience is both enriching and valuable.

The Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is the state's most popular paid attraction. The zoo’s roughly 320 employees welcome almost 1.4 million visitors each year. Our zoo is home to more than 200 different animal species. Our mission is to create a better future for wildlife, with a focus on fighting extinction locally in the Pacific Northwest. The zoo is widely recognized for its commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and research.

Join us in shaping meaningful and engaging experiences at the Oregon Zoo!

As the Interpretive Planning and Development Manager you will:

• Lead a cross-divisional interpretive planning process for audience needs and exhibit interpretation to define goals, strategy, interpretive framework, and preliminary budget and schedule. 
• Maintain the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standards during the interpretive planning process and maintains records for reporting on these standards for the accreditation process.
• Provide leadership to create a motivating environment to develop and implement divisional processes, policies, and quality standards that are consistent with (or exceed) the zoo’s mission, goals, and strategic plan.
• Drive the interpretive exhibit experience process including cross-divisional content meetings, content development, research, writing, editing, translation, and proof-reading of interpretive labels, interpretive media, and any other exhibit interpretive elements that are designed.
• Create, manage, and inspire the development of interpretive design strategies (possibly including multi-lingual interpretation) based on content, creative, and exhibit design goals.
• Drive the front-end, formative, summative, and remedial exhibit evaluation process in collaboration with the appropriate exhibit developer and internal evaluation staff or external evaluation consultants. 
• Conduct regular reviews of the visitor exhibit experience and evaluates against standards; develops plan to bring experience up to standards.
• Draw on original research, best practices, and a broad knowledge of interpretive techniques to develop exhibit themes and experiences in collaboration with project team.
• Serve as a spokesperson for projects, prepare and give presentations about project scope, content, and experiences including Metro and zoo leadership, donors, and other external stakeholders.
• Develop an exhibit editorial guide that defines exhibit tone, voice, style, reading level, punctuation, length of labels, multilingual strategy, preferred strategy for common and/or scientific names and species classifications, etc.
• Supervise and support a Senior Exhibit Developer and Exhibit Project Manager II, ensuring effective resource management and timely execution of plans. Development, performance evaluation, and professional growth for direct reports.

Attributes for success:

• Substantial experience managing creative staff with diverse responsibilities. 
• Experience with multi-lingual interpretation. (signage, video, etc.)
• Strong team building and team-participation skills with diverse individuals.
• Advanced planning and organizational skills for a high volume of work.
• Strong exhibition writing, copyediting and proofreading skills.
• Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication and feedback skills.
• Knowledge of and experience in informal science education best practices.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.   

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant. 

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, writing/composition, museum studies or related field, OR equivalent experience in a zoo, aquarium, or other informal science education institution.
• Five (5) years leading or supervising people; AND

• Two (2) years of exhibit development experience in zoo, aquarium, and/or natural history museums; OR 
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Working Conditions :

This position will require you to work primarily on site at the Oregon Zoo in an office environment. 

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications:

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Masters’ degree in biology, zoology, writing/composition, museum studies or related field, or equivalent experience in a zoo, aquarium, or other informal science education institution.

• Five (5) or more years of experience developing interpretative plans for zoo, aquarium, and/or natural history museums.

• Seven (7) years or more of experience leading the content development of large-scale exhibitions for zoos, aquariums, nature centers, and/or natural history museums.
• Previous experience managing in a Union environment.
• Previous experience working in a Government Organization.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed application  
• A completed cover letter addressing why you are interested in this position and how your experience aligns with the qualifications. 
• Four (4) current references with one of them being your current or most recent supervisor/manager. References will not be called until the final candidate has been selected and you will be notified prior to any contact

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Testing/assessments (if applicable)
• Reference check 
• Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $127,534.84 to step 6 $162,795.64. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between Step 1 $127,534.84 to the equity range Step 4 $147,661.15.

This position is not eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as a Manager II. 

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Talent Acquisition Specialist: Kara Hill 

Email: Kara.Hill@oregonmetro.gov

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
 

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance. 

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page. 

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Salary : $127,555 - $162,796