Shreveport Water Works Museum Executive Director Job Description

 

McNeill Street Pumping Station Preservation Society

Shreveport Water Works Museum

Executive Director

Job Description

 

Classification:  Full-time, Salaried Exempt 

Salary Range: Negotiable, based upon experience

Required Degree: College degree in Business, Nonprofit or related study required, Master’s in Business or Nonprofit Management preferred; or equivalent proven success in nonprofit management.

Experience: 3 + years progressive experience in a senior management role with planning, fund and organizational development for a nonprofit organization.

Reports to the Board of Directors

 

SCOPE: The Board of Directors for the McNeill Street Pumping Station, Shreveport Water Works Museum, and the McNeill Street Pumping Station Preservation Society will employ an Executive Director to oversee the growth of the organizations and the maintenance/improvements to the expansive physical plant. The Board seeks an individual who will advance the presence and historic significance of the Museum/Organizations throughout the region, maximize strategies for building the site as a Tourist destination, develop a tuition-based educational program, and create an annual “signature” fundraiser.  

 

BACKGROUND:  

The McNeill Street Pumping Station Preservation Society is the home of the Shreveport Water Works Museum at 142 North Common Street in Shreveport, La. It has the rare distinction of being a National Historic Landmark, a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and a Historic American Water Landmark. Opened in 1887 as the city’s first water plant, it added filtration in 1890, an unusual technology at the time, and in 1911, was among the earliest facilities in the country to use chlorine in the treatment process. When the steam pumps were finally retired in 1980, the plant was believed by the Smithsonian to be the last operating steam powered municipal water works in America. Today, the entire physical plant (pumps, filters and other machinery) remains in place after more than 130 years of service and is a rare example of an intact steam water works.

 

The McNeill Street Pumping Station site is owned by the City of Shreveport.  The McNeill Street Pumping Station Preservation Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which manages and operates the Shreveport Water Works Museum and is governed by an active and experienced Board of Directors and a dedicated volunteer Executive Director who is ready to retire from daily responsibilities.  The Board intends to maintain and expand its active and supportive role; but seeks dramatic growth that will move the Museum into a major Attraction for both Citizens of and Visitors and an Educational Resource to schools in the ARK-LA-TEX, through new programming and increased, sustained, recurring funding that ensures the fiscal health of our organizations.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY: Develop, Grow, and subsequently Sustain the capacity of the McNeill Street Pumping Station with the Shreveport Water Works Museum as a Community Resource, Visitor Destination, and Educational Center, supported through sustained recurring funding sources.

Specific Responsibilities:

·        Oversee Long-Term Planning (3-5 year) and Strategic Planning (annual plan & crisis planning as necessary) based upon Policies established by the Board.  Prepare an annual plan supported by an annual budget that reflects the planned growth for visitor attraction programming, educational programming, and the operation and maintenance needs for the facility (the Plant).

    Oversee the long-term Financial Health of the Museum, Organizations, and Physical Plant.

o   Develop and implement an Annual Budget with Board approval.

o   Expand the annual Membership or Friends campaign, including the “GIVE FOR GOOD” campaign generated by the Community Foundation of North Louisiana.

o   Create, with the Board, an Annual Fundraiser (event) for the Museum that becomes a signature event for the Museum and for the Community.

o   Aggressively Seek local, state, and national Grant Funding.

o   Sustain the annual State Allocation provided, currently, by Senator Sam Jenkins.

o   Aggressively seek local, state, and national Foundation Funding.

o   Aggressively pursue Program and Event Sponsorships.

o   Ensure accurate GAAP financial records to include monthly and YTD P&L statements, quarterly budget vs. actual reports, and an annual Audit.

 

·        Oversee the Presence of the Plant and Organizations as an important community asset through strategies that include Community Awareness Days, “Speaker” Presentations to regional Civic Organizations, Signage throughout the Plant, Informational Brochures distributed to Tourist Sites, Hotels, Airbnbs, Feature Stories in regional publications such as the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities’ 64 Parishes, SB Magazine, Lola Magazine, etc., support from LAMAR Advertising and other Outdoor Advertising for monthly billboard promotion, quarterly TV features in-kind sponsorships with the Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate and the Shreveport Times, and Radio Promotion.

 

·        Oversee the expansion of Programming such as the annual Food Truck Day, Group Tours, and the Community Clean Up Day. Establish partnerships with other organizations to provide co-programming opportunities. 

 

·        Create a sustainable plan to dramatically increase Visitor Attendance through Media and Social media Marketing, Improvements to the Plant, Informational Material, and partnerships with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau, area Hotel “concierges,” and other Visitor Centered organizations.

 

·        Create a sustainable, expandable Educational Programs centered on K-12 Academic/Interactive Field Trips that include instructional curriculum, interactive activities, and a creative telling of the history of the Plant.

 

·        Oversee and enhance the maintenance of the Physical Structure and the Property Landscape of the Center.

 

·        Ensure a healthy relationship with an active, committed Board of Directors.

o   Meet at least bi-monthly with the Executive Committee.

o   Communicate successes, calendar information, and challenges via a weekly Board newsletter/email.

o   Provide monthly financial documentation and programming reports to the full Board.

o   Work with designated Board Liaisons who support specific Programming/Fundraising initiatives.

 

·        When appropriate, as determined by the Board, oversee and direct additional Staff.

COMPENSATION and BENEFITS:

1.        This position is considered Salary Exempt ($50,000 - $60,000 commensurate with experience). The position carries an expectation of at least 40 hours per week, additional hours for monthly Events/Activities that are scheduled “after normal operating hours,” and projects such as a major Grant Deadline.  The Board honors a “flex time” approach to the schedule if the minimum 40 hours of work are accommodated.

2.        Two weeks (10 days) PTO (Personal Time Off) for the first two years, increasing to 3 weeks (15 days) at three years, 5 weeks (20 days) at 10 years, and 6 weeks (30 days) at 12 years.

3.        Up to 3% matching SIRA retirement account effective at the 2-year anniversary.

4.        A $400 monthly stipend for personal Health Insurance.

5.        Observance of the following paid Holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4^th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

6.        The McNeill St. Pumping Station Preservation Society Board of Directors is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

APPLICATION Process:

 

Please submit a resume, letter of interest sharing one example of a demonstrated skill set that addresses one of the responsibilities of the Executive Director, and professional references to:

Search Committee

MSPSPS

P.O. BOX 957

Shreveport, LA 71163

Or email to:

Waterworks1887@yahoo.com

 

Applications are due by August 15, 2026.

Final Candidates will receive a Tour of the Museum and the Plant and will participate in a rigorous round of interviews with Board Members and Community Stakeholders.