Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The Public Affairs Office (PAO) is a small, dynamic group that consists of Communications, Administration, and Creative Services Branches staff that provides a diverse and interesting range of projects, duties, and challenges. Under the lead of the Exhibit Designer Coordinator, the incumbent will design, fabricate, install, maintain, and repair interpretive exhibits, signage, and multimedia displays for Department of Water Resources visitor centers and public outreach facilities. Develop exhibit concepts, graphic layouts, fabrication drawings, and production-ready artwork for print, digital, and interactive applications using Adobe Creative Cloud, CAD, and other technical design software. Produce high-quality graphics, publications, and visual communication materials that support the Department's educational, interpretive, and public outreach programs. Collaborate with exhibit team members, writers, subject matter experts, contractors, and vendors to develop exhibit solutions that effectively communicate technical information to diverse audiences. Prepare fabrication specifications, production files, project estimates, and supporting documentation. Coordinate fabrication, installation, maintenance, and repair activities for exhibits and interpretive displays. Operate and maintain large-format printing equipment and utilize a variety of fabrication methods and materials, including woodworking, plastics, metal fabrication, CNC routing, 3D printing, and welding. Integrate audio, video, lighting, and interactive technologies into exhibit installations. Evaluate exhibit performance and recommend improvements to enhance visitor experience, accessibility, durability, and long-term maintenance. Assist with contract administration, procurement activities, project budgeting, vendor coordination, and quality control throughout exhibit fabrication and installation. Ensure exhibits comply with accessibility requirements, applicable safety standards, and Department design and branding guidelines.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Incumbent must be able to lift, carry, and transport exhibit components, materials, tools, and equipment weighing more than 50 pounds. The incumbent must possess artistic and creative abilities, and have normal vision or normal corrected vision, and normal color vision. Statewide travel, occasional overnight travel, irregular work hours, and evening or weekend overtime may be required to support exhibit installations, maintenance activities, special events, emergency repairs, and project deadlines. A valid California Class C Driver License is required.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

The ideal candidate possesses experience designing, fabricating, installing, and maintaining museums, visitor center, interpretive, educational, or public exhibits. Strong artistic, creative, and technical abilities are essential, along with proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and experience using CAD or 3D modeling software to develop fabrication drawings and production-ready files. Experience operating large-format printing equipment and working with fabrication tools and equipment, including woodworking, CNC routing, 3D printing, welding, and other exhibit production methods, is highly desirable. Experience integrating multimedia technologies such as audio, video, lighting, and interactive displays into exhibits is also preferred. The successful candidate demonstrates excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills and is able to manage multiple projects while collaborating effectively with project teams, contractors, vendors, and subject matter experts. Experience preparing fabrication specifications, production documentation, cost estimates, and coordinating exhibit installation projects is highly desirable. Knowledge of ADA accessibility requirements, visitor-centered exhibit design, and safe work practices is preferred.

Benefits

The Natural Resources Agency is a state-of-the-art building with plenty of natural lighting and functionally designed workspaces including sit-stand workstations. Our LEED Platinum headquarters has a full-service cafe, an onsite free fitness center, indoor bicycle storage, and is walking distance to nearby restaurants. Visit our Natural Resources Agency website for more exciting information:

In addition to state-of-the-art amenities, we offer an award-winning employee recognition program and ongoing learning and development opportunities. It is located right next to Light Rail for an easy commute – we even have a reimbursement subsidy program for public transit! Click here to read about the array of amenities CNRA has to offer.

DWR offers a competitive pay schedule and work-life balance for all its employees. The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee’s bargaining unit and conditions of employment. Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), Cover letter, Resume and Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please reference SAP Position #50000479and Job Control # JC-519115in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

The Supplemental Question is designed to elicit information regarding each applicant’s abilities, knowledge, and experience in relation to the advertised position. Please respond to the following question using 12 pt. Arial font on no more than two pages using standard margins. If there is a question regarding experience that you do not have, include examples of similar experience or coursework that would demonstrate your ability or potential to perform the specific function.

1. Please walk us through a complex exhibit or display project where you personally took responsibility for several key phases from design through installation. We want to hear specifically what you accomplished yourself. Please describe your direct contributions and the tools and processes you used and any obstacles you encountered. How did you successfully overcome them?

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.

The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section. Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

. This survey is for research purposes only and will not affect application status.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - See Supplemental Questionnaire information under Special Instructions below.

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, For contractors, Casual work, Work at office, Night shift, Weekend work, Afternoon shift

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