Designer (Graphic & Exhibits)

Two foundational things are true at History Colorado: We love Colorado. And we believe in the transformative power of history. We are a people-driven, history-centered movement building a better future. We are stronger when we do this together, building new knowledge and shared meaning that improves lives today and for our descendants.

As an agency of the State of Colorado and a non-profit organization, we are committed to serving all Coloradans. We offer access to our state’s history through enriching experiences at eleven museums and historic sites, with dynamic and relevant exhibits and activities. We work with school groups and young learners through field trips, day camps, and traveling programs.

We’re also home to a free public research center, Colorado’s Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP), and the Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), the nation’s largest preservation program of its kind. We steward 15 million objects, photographs, and archival resources that make up the State’s collection, and serve tens of thousands of learners of all ages through dynamic programs.

We strive to be a place of belonging for all Coloradans. We’re committed to Colorado’s diverse communities through education, engagement, and access. We know we’re succeeding when more voices, perspectives, and experiences are part of History Colorado. It's our vision that every Coloradan feels rooted, draws strength from those who have come before us, and knows they belong in this place.

In pursuit of a more just and equitable Colorado, we embody the grounding virtues listed below as the foundation of all aspects of our work: our thinking, communication, process, outcomes, and evaluation. Our work is guided by, for, and of the communities we build, belong to, and serve, and we commit to:

• Being in Community
• Amplifying and Centering Voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
• Co-creation and Shared Authority
• Humility and Reflection
• Responsiveness and Flexibility
• Shared Destiny

We are Colorado. Together, our generational work centers communities, deepens knowledge and catalyzes the transformative power of history.

If you are considering a career opportunity with the goal of making a difference, consider joining the dedicated people at History Colorado. We offer fantastic benefits including:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans: https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• State of Health employee wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules and more.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.

Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: https://dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi.

History Colorado’s Graphic Designer and Exhibit Designer position works as part of a highly successful team to create dynamic and engaging exhibits, to share the diverse stories of Colorado with History Colorado Center museum visitors and community members.

A successful designer will take complex written stories from Colorado History, and turn them into dynamic, engaging printed and digital materials. This role supports a team that creates six to eight exhibitions a year.

Work includes but is not limited to the following

Brief Duty Description

Job Duty 1 - Graphic Design

• Creates dynamic graphics packages for exhibits to illustrate the stories of Coloradans in coordination with an exhibits team
• Design all two dimensional components of an exhibition: large scale murals, interpretive panels, donor panels, object labels, and interactives
• Coordinate with the Director of Exhibitions to create proofs and samples for approval from the exhibits team and leadership team
• Coordinate with publications staff for copyediting
• Coordinates with Exhibit Designer to create a cohesive look and feel for the graphics
• Collaborates with Exhibit Developers, marketing team, fabricators, contractors, vendors, project manager, and others as appropriate.
• Produces great results on time, within budget, with correct specifications, with all revisions made correctly, with little guidance under tight deadlines, while demonstrating meticulous attention to detail on every project.
• Provides specified vendors with clear and accurate specifications and details to ensure accurate files are provided on time and accurately reflect project specifications.
• Manages multiple projects simultaneously, meeting all deadlines and project management requirements including design, implementation, review, preparation, production and installation
• Designs visual identities for new exhibits, supporting the communications team
• Design multi-page editorial layouts for the quarterly publication The Colorado Magazine
• Assists the exhibitions team with exhibit installation and de-installation
• Maintains and purchases design studio equipment and supplies

Job Duty 2 - Exhibition Design

• Analyze and interpret exhibit concepts to create impactful designs that are cohesive to an exhibition’s story and tone as set by an exhibit team and historians
• Design History Colorado exhibits while working on an exhibit team with project managers, developers, and educators, through all exhibit design phases: Design Concept, Schematic Design, Design Development, Procurement, fabrication and Installation.
• Prepare exhibit illustrations and renderings for Exhibit teams, community stakeholders and for the Philanthropy department.
• Prepare exhibit case drawings for the fabricator and consult on materials and build specifications.
• Prepare and present floorplans for exhibit team review and community members
• Performs other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• A strong background in design, with a primary focus on the intersection of graphic design, 3D spatial environments, and/or museum exhibition spaces.
• Proven experience and confidence in visual storytelling, translating complex educational or historical concepts into engaging visual media.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience interfacing with multiple external vendors, contractors, and project managers.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage and juggle multiple project schedules and production deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience working with multiple vendors and juggling multiple projects
• An enthusiasm to explore ideas, amplify diverse voices, and help others discover what makes Colorado Colorado.

Conditions of Employment

• Occasional work on weekends, holidays or evenings

Competencies (These represent the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position):

• Creative problem solver
• Excellent interpersonal, and communication.
• Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, create systems and processes, and collaborate with and engage others.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities, and able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.
• Detail oriented
• Work well under pressure.
• Responds well to criticism and feedback from colleagues and community partners
• Proactive approaches to problem-solving and with strong decision-making capability.
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.

Factors to be Evaluated

• Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
• Job Fit – Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred.

Complete Applications must include

• Cover Letter: Required - Attached as a separate document.
• Resume: Required - Attached as a separate document.
• Attachment or link to examples of design work or website or portfolio
• Transcript: Required - Attached to the online application and meeting requirements as described under "College Transcripts".

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

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This position is advertised in line with the Governor’s executive order focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly.

Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training, or past experiences.

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Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills

• Four (4) years of professional experience in graphic design, exhibit design, interior design, 3D spatial design, or closely related visual arts work.
• Required Technical Skill: Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign).
• Your application must be completed in detail, documenting the specific dates and duties that demonstrate this design experience. Part-time experience will be pro-rated based on a 40-hour workweek.

OR

Education (Allowable Substitution)

• A Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree from an accredited institution in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Exhibit Design, Architecture, Interior Design, or a highly related field will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis:
• Associate’s Degree = substitutes for two (2) years of experience. (Requires 2 years of remaining professional experience).
• Bachelor’s Degree = substitutes for four (4) years of experience and meets the requirement in full.
• Note: If substituting education, you must attach a legible copy of your college transcripts to your application

This position is not part of the classified personnel system; applications will be accepted from Residents and Non-Residents of Colorado. Incumbent will be required to live in and complete work for History Colorado within Colorado.

History Colorado is committed to anti-racism practices across its institution and outlined in our grounding virtues. As such we encourage members of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) LGBTQ+ and differently abled communities to apply for this position. To see these virtues click this link: (Anti-Racism Grounding Virtues).

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application, but will be used to supplement information to the application. Part of the selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials.

Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position.

Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide Human Resources with an official disposition of any charges.

Fair Pay & Compensation: History Colorado is committed to pay equity. The posted salary range represents our good faith estimate for this role. Final offers are determined by a comprehensive salary analysis in compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, considering factors such as a candidate’s relevant experience, education, work location and internal equity.

ADAAA Accommodations: History Colorado is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the ADAAA, we provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that applicants with disabilities can participate fully in the application and hiring process.

If you require an accommodation to complete the application, participate in an interview, or perform any other part of the selection process, please contact our ADAAA Coordinator at Jesus Garcia (303) 866-2136 or email Jesus.l.garcia@state.co.us. We are here to ensure you have a positive and accessible experience.

E-Verify Participation: We utilize E-Verify to verify the work authorization of all new team members. Following your job offer, you'll need to complete Section 1 of the I-9 form by your start date. Per federal regulations, we’ll also need to review your original identity and work eligibility documents within your first three days on the job.

For more details on your rights and responsibilities, check out dhs.gov/e-verify.