Job Openings >> Interpretive Developer
Interpretive Developer
Summary
Title:Interpretive Developer
ID:1648
Department:Design & Exhibits
Description
Summary:
The Interpretive Developer crafts and writes compelling content that engages diverse audiences in sparking compassion, curiosity, and conservation for the aquatic animal world. This position works closely with the Senior Interpretive Developer, Media Team, Exhibit Designer, and Design Team to coordinate and integrate exhibits, interpretive panels, media, and other concepts into mission-based, audience centered experiences. The Interpretive Developer works on the overall content and storyline needs of exhibit and media experiences, transforming facts and ideas into compelling and immersive stories to engage guests of all ages and abilities through a variety of mediums. The Interpretive Developer plays a key role in assuring content is aligned with Shedd’s brand and mission, as well as maintaining standards for guest experience.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities include the following. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Participate and collaborate in exhibit concept and content development, including developing exhibit and media storylines, organizing exhibit themes/topics, and coordinating with exhibit and graphic designers
  • Write exhibit labels, scripts, interpretive plans, audio/visual scripts and other interpretive materials, as well as editing, revising, fact-checking and proofreading of materials
  • In collaboration with other departments, develop content for exhibit interactives, accessible programs, media projects and other interpretive projects for all of Shedd
  • Advocate for guests’ interpretive needs within all projects and processes
  • Ensure that Shedd’s experiential brand principles are integrating into the exhibit content and tactics in meaningful ways for our diverse audiences
  • Collaborate as needed on content development with other departments including Development, Marketing and Learning
  • Conduct initial research and recommendation of options on exhibits, media, and other interpretive projects
  • Contact and work cooperatively with content specialists relevant to interpretive projects including the Animal Care teams and Conservation Research
  • Collaborate and work closely with all Design & Exhibits teams in the implementation of design and concepts to insure interpretive effectiveness and content consistency
  • Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years’ exhibit and media content development and interpretation
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including editing and grammar; effective storytelling; the ability to write clearly, concisely and imaginatively for diverse public audiences
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with team members, including staff and external partners, to develop exhibits and interpretive storylines, and following project details through to completion
  • Creative thinking and commitment to guests’ needs
  • Experience in handling multiple projects simultaneously and meeting tight deadlines.
  • Detail-oriented
  • Strong research and fact-checking skills
  • Ability to conduct research both independently and working closely with experts in Animal Care and Conservation Research departments
Special Characteristics:
  • Must be able to work cooperatively within and among a variety of teams
  • Be a skillful, concise writer who is able to utilize and edit technical information into a style of writing that is accurate, educational and enjoyable to the general public
  • Be willing to work unusual hours on occasion, as required
  • Must have initiative, the ability to self-start, work independently under minimal guidance and follow through on projects
  • Must be flexible and adaptable to changes in direction and priority
  • Possess a strong commitment to an audience-centered approach
  • Outstanding organizational and time management skills
  • Use of critical thinking, including systems thinking and problem solving
  • Understand and incorporate strategic mission and values of the organization
  • Excellent communication skills, a team player, self-motivated and able to deal with ongoing multiple projects
  • Ability to speak languages other than English (Preferred, but not required)
  • Experience in audience and visitor research (Preferred but not required)
  • Familiarity with Accessibility and Inclusion practices (Preferred, but not required)
  • Familiarity with Universal Design (Preferred, but not required)

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).
This opening is closed and is no longer accepting applications
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