Duties Description The New York State Education Department's (NYSED) Office of Cultural Education is seeking candidates for a Senior Museum Exhibit Designer, SG-17 position in the New York State Museum (NYSM).
Under the general direction of an Associate Exhibition Planner, the Senior Museum Exhibit Designer's primary responsibility will be the design and ongoing development of the Museum's interactive exhibition environments. This includes the design and development of the "Kids Zone", a play-based learning environment for children in pre-K through 4th grade; designing and preparing the Museum's fourth floor for traveling exhibitions; and developing interactive, hands-on exhibition elements for permanent and temporary exhibitions throughout the Museum that engage visitors from elementary school age children to adults.
Working collaboratively with exhibit teams, the Senior Museum Exhibit Designer will develop designs for long-term, temporary, and traveling exhibitions while creating engaging, accessible, and educational visitor experiences.
Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Design and support of the Museum's Kids Zone, creating immersive, play-based educational experiences for children of all ages;
• Design and prepare the Museum's fourth-floor spaces for traveling exhibitions, adapting exhibition layouts to existing spaces while coordinating facility and installation requirements;
• Design and develop interactive, hands-on exhibition components and learning experiences for permanent and temporary exhibitions serving audiences from 4th grade through college and adult learners;
• Collaborate with outside exhibition developers and lending institutions to successfully integrate traveling exhibitions into NYSM spaces;
• Develop exhibit designs in collaboration with museum scientists, historians, planners, graphic designers, educators, and other museum professionals;
• Determine the visual and experiential direction of exhibitions and assume responsibility for the design and development of three-dimensional exhibition environments;
• Create measured floor plans, wall elevations, exhibit furniture, case layouts, and other three-dimensional exhibit components;
• Work closely with the production team throughout fabrication, installation, and implementation to ensure the final exhibition accurately reflects the approved design intent.
Preferred Qualifications
o Demonstrated experience designing play-based, interactive museum exhibits that encourage active participation, exploration, experimentation, and discovery among children and families.
o Experience with children's museum or informal learning environments, including the design of developmentally appropriate exhibits and experiences for young children, school-age audiences, families, and caregivers.
o Strong understanding of hands-on, experiential, and visitor-centered exhibit design, with the ability to translate educational concepts into engaging physical experiences that invite visitors to touch, manipulate, build, move, and explore.
o Experience designing inclusive and accessible play environments that accommodate a range of ages, abilities, learning styles, and levels of engagement, with particular attention to child and family audiences.
o Demonstrated ability to carry interactive exhibits from concept through fabrication and installation, including prototyping, testing with children and families, refining designs based on observation and feedback, and collaborating with educators, fabricators, and other multidisciplinary partners.
Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Non-Competitive: six years of experience in architecture, exhibit design/planning, industrial design, museum exhibit design involving three-dimensional designs, or museum exhibit production. College coursework in Architecture, Exhibition Design/Planning, Fine Arts, Media Arts, Digital Media and Communication Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Museum Exhibit Design, or Museum Studies may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis up to a maximum of four years with 30 semester credit hours equaling one year.
It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.
Additional Comments CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This will be a permanent, non-competitive appointment. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits.
This position leads to a maximum salary of $80,655 based on annual performance advances and traineeship advances. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts
Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:
Holiday & Paid Time Off
• 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.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.
Health Care Benefits
• 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.
Additional Benefits
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.
Name Office of Human Resources Management
Telephone (518) 474-5215
Fax (518) 486-5631
Email Address OCEJobs@nysed.gov
Address
Street NYS Education Department
89 Washington Avenue, OHRM Room 528 EB
City Albany
State NY
Zip Code 12234
Notes on Applying APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by October 15, 2026, to OCEJobs@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OCE-1615/27560) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.
