Interpretation Designer (Planning Technician 3)

About Us

Nova Scotia’s culture and heritage contribute to vibrant communities and enrich the quality of life in every part of the province. The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage invites Nova Scotians to experience and participate in our rich cultural expression.


The Nova Scotia Museum, consisting of 28 museum sites, is the most decentralized museum in Canada. It is also one of the oldest provincial museums in the country. The Nova Scotia Museum is responsible for the provincial collection of over one million artifacts and specimens housed at museum sites and storage facilities across the province. By exploring our past, we appreciate where we came from. This enriches our lives today and gives us insight for times ahead. Through investing in our future, we help realize the potential of our people and talents. We foster an environment that embraces ideas and innovation. We each contribute to the province we call home through distinct perspectives and traditions. Together, our diversity defines the uniqueness of Nova Scotia.

For more information on the Nova Scotia Museum (NSM) please click here: https://museum.novascotia.ca

About Our Opportunity

As the Interpretation Designer you are responsible for the creative development of primarily non-personal interpretive products such as exhibits, displays, interpretation signage, posters and online content within the Nova Scotia Museum’s 28 sites across the province. You work collaboratively with multidisciplinary museum teams, community partners, communication colleagues and outside vendors to interpret and provide creative solutions for the development and implementation of engaging 2D and 3D-related design projects for the Nova Scotia Museum (NSM).
 

As part of the Interpretation team, your work and research contributes to standards and best practices in design and interpretation at NSM sites and broader provincial sector aligning with progressive museum practices but also within the broader Archives, Museums and Libraries Division (AML) of CCTH. This work will include contributing to strategies and professional development that supports the museum’s ability to meet its Interpretative Master Plan goals, and to advance equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility goals (EDIA).
 

You are comfortable working in a PC and Mac environment and are knowledgeable about contemporary design, museum best practices, universal design and accessibility. You maintain proficiency with current software techniques/trends and fabrication processes, and you are interested to learn more the potential of museums to build community. As the Interpretation Designer, you are rigorous and thoughtful in your creative work, excel at multi-tasking, and bring a keen attention to detail. You are a communicative, collaborative, team player who cultivates the Interpretation Unit as an open and inviting resource for others, and place for sharing ideas. You thrive in an open office environment, value other’s expertise and welcomes feedback to improve design outcomes.
 

This position reports to the Manager of Interpretation for the Innovation, Collections, and Infrastructure Unit (ICI),

Primary Accountabilities

The Interpretation Designer:

• Uses innovative thinking and production of graphic art and visual materials to effectively communicate information for NSM posters, signs, digital media, reports including producing design specifications for procurement processes.
• Ensures compliance with NSM and CNS graphic design procedures when appropriate such as government brand and logos.
• Participates as a member of museum exhibit teams throughout design and production phases, ensures that the interpretive plan is expressed, audience needs are represented, proper timelines are set, project process is followed and being delivered on time and on budget
• Liaises with external suppliers/contractors/vendors such as outside printers, fabricators, contracted artists, designers, photographers, digital services and other production services as required to ensure that materials are fabricated, deployed effectively and ensures quality and adherence to the NSM’s standards.
• Contributes to the development of production schedules, ongoing file management, and supports the fabrication, installation of temporary and semi-permanent exhibits and logistics for travelling exhibits.
• Contributes to interpretive planning procedures, standards, policies, and professional development based on strategic direction.
• Researches and gathers information on best practices in museum design and interpretation.
• Assists with developing communication, evaluation, training tools and resources, and shares through workshops or online content.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you have you will have a High School diploma plus a relevant 2-year planning course accreditation and 6 years related experience. Work experience must demonstrate experience  in applicable graphic design tools and software as Adobe Suite, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat as well as familiarity with other software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, and Word). You must have a working knowledge of a variety of methods, techniques and materials used in design processes and production. You demonstrate the ability to multi-task, think creatively and identify interpretive potential at NSM sites. You have strong portfolio with demonstrated experience in a variety of projects and media.

You are a team player with strong interpersonal skills and can work independently with minimal supervision and work collaboratively with colleagues and community partners. You demonstrate excellent communication skills (oral and written) including organizational and time management skills.

In addition to the above, you value equity, diversity and inclusion and can demonstrate an understanding how the interpretation that a museum puts forward can make a space feel inclusive or exclusive for its visitors.

Assets Include:

• Degree in a visual communication design program
• Experience working in an interpretive role at a museum or similar cultural institution.
• Knowledge of Nova Scotia’s cultural and natural history.
• Project management experience.
• Training or certification in museum studies, education, or other related programs.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Additional Information

This individual will have to travel throughout the province of Nova Scotia and will be required to have a valid NS driver’s license.

Applications must include a cover letter explaining your interest and relevant experience as well as a CV and portfolio.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless career paths.