Graphic Designer for Exhibitions & Affiliates *Limited Term position*- Funding through June 30, 2028

Job Title: Graphic Designer for Exhibitions & Affiliates *Limited Term position- Funding through June 30, 2028*

Closing Date/Time: 9/6/2026

Salary: $50,000 - $60,000 annually

Job Type: Full Time ***Limited Term position*** - Funding through June 30, 2028

Location: Denver, Colorado

Department: History Colorado

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:

• 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: .

History Colorado's Graphic Designer for Exhibitions & Traveling Exhibitions support the work of two key departments, Exhibitions and Affiliates/Traveling Exhibitions, which includes a growing slate of traveling exhibitions small and large. As the designer for these teams this role is critical in delivering dynamic, thoughtful, and flexible exhibitions for the History Colorado Center in Denver, History Colorado’s community museums statewide, and traveling exhibitions rented, leased, or shared with partners and exhibition clients. Exhibitions are focused on the diverse stories of Colorado while supporting strategic revenue-generation through admissions or sales.

Work includes but is not limited to the following:

Brief Duty Description:

Job Duty 1: Exhibition Design

• Creates dynamic graphics packages for exhibits to illustrate the stories of Coloradans in coordination with an exhibits team

• Assists with the design all two dimensional components of an exhibition: large scale murals, interpretive panels, donor panels, object labels, and interactives

• Ensures that exhibits intended to travel are designed with maximum flexibility and moveability

• Coordinates with the Director of Exhibitions to create proofs and samples for approval from the exhibits team and leadership team

• Coordinates 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 multi-page editorial layouts for the quarterly publication The Colorado Magazine

• Assists the exhibitions team with exhibit installation and de-installation

Job Duty 2: Traveling Exhibits Sales & Implementation

• Designs and prepares designated exhibitions for travel by creating installation guide books, packing plans, and setting standardized shipment procedures

• Adjusts design files or materials as necessary to successfully travel an exhibition

• Supports efforts to market traveling exhibitions, including creating sales materials, answering questions, or participating in sales calls or meetings

• Serves on the team implementing a multi-year Institute of Museum & Library Services grant, including delivering on the traveling exhibition components

• Shares files, folders, potential exhibition layouts and exhibition logos and typefaces of print on demand exhibitions with traveling exhibition clients

• Assists with installation and deinstallation of traveling exhibitions as necessary

• Assists with inventory and storage of traveling exhibitions

• Represents History Colorado and our exhibitions program while traveling for Affiliates Network projects.

• Collaborates with colleagues across History Colorado, including curatorial services, collections access, publications, philanthropy, membership, marketing, and communications to ensure clear understanding for our exhibition planning and Affiliates.

• Supports other departments within History Colorado for requested design work

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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Salary Range:

$1,923.07 - $2,307.69 Biweekly (Annual divided by 26)

$50,000 - $60,000 Annually

Minimum Requirements:

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

• Six (6) years of full-time professional experience with primary focus on using graphic design software to create brochures, print media, digital media, websites and layout for a variety of users. Working knowledge of design fundamentals for a public audience.

  • Part-time experience will be pro-rated.

OR

Education and Experience:

• A combination of related education; BFA or MFA in Design and/or relevant experience equal to six (6) years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A strong background in design

• Experience and confidence in visual storytelling

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

• The ability to juggle multiple project schedules.

• 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:

• Circumstances may require a position to work outside of regular business hours.

Substitutions:

• A Bachelor’s or Master's degree from an accredited institution or college in Design or another relevant field will count for 1 year of required experience.

Competencies:

• 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.

Essay Questions:

1. History Colorado staff has been working together in response to the events that happened in 2020 to discuss as an institutional community the ways in which History Colorado can advance the work of anti-racism. These grounding virtues are the result of our collective process. Please go to the link below to see the virtues () and tell us: how have these guiding principles shown up in your previous work and/or how would you contribute to these virtues in your position at History Colorado?

Complete Applications must include:

• Cover Letter: Required - Attached as a separate document.

• Resume: Required - Attached as a separate document.

• Examples of graphic design work samples via a link to a website, or a .pdf attachment

• Transcript: Required if using education to meet MQs - Attached to the online application and meeting requirements as described under "College Transcripts".

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 .