Summer Student - Heritage Leader

JOB SUMMARY

Cultural and Heritage Programs is responsible for multi-disciplinary arts centres, heritage and museum facilities and structures, the delivery of arts, heritage and museum public programming and events, volunteer program development, audience development, and exhibits and research.

Under the guidance of a Museum Administrator, you are responsible to:

• assist with researching, planning, delivery, and documentation of public and educational interpretive programs and events at museums and historic sites
• conduct interpretive tours and dispense historical information to the community, utilizing first and third-person interpretation techniques
• interact cooperatively with museum volunteers and actively participate in a team environment to include all aspects of museum operations
• assist with public rental bookings and food services as required
• act as public ambassador of the museums by participating in educational and promotional outreach activities, and engage in customer service activities such as front desk duties, cash transactions, responding to public inquiries, setting up rooms and grounds for public events, recording of visitor statistics, and conducting visitor evaluations
• ensure safety of museum visitors and program participants, as well as ensuring the security of the museum and its contents
• open and close the site and perform some cleaning and gardening duties, as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Post-secondary Student - completion of second year college or university in History, Museology, Education, Theatre, Public Relations, Classical Studies, or related field

Minimum of 8 months but less than 1 year of related experience is required; experience in working with the public in a client service environment; experience with clients of various ages; experience in research activities

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

KNOWLEDGE

• Intermediate and/or advanced knowledge of MS Word and MS Excel
• Familiarity with formal interpretation methodology and techniques is considered an asset, but are taught during the training sessions

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Advanced verbal communication skills (the ability to successfully communicate historical information to the public of varying ages and interests)
• Strong writing skills for both internal and external audiences
• Ability to research, understand, and document historical data
• Ability to understand event and program logistics and implement as needed
• Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure and tight deadlines
• Ability to understand and take direction and to pro-actively provide status updates
• Ability to understand the scope of various types of projects and work on them through to completion
• Ability to accurately record statistical data and visitor evaluation information
• Ability to comfortably and confidently speak in public to individuals and groups of varying ages, interests, and backgrounds
• Strong interest in history, museums, and education
• Strong interest in working with members of the public of varying ages and a strong commitment to customer service
• Strong interest in working both in a team setting and independently
• Interested in leadership opportunities and proactive in identifying new areas of personal and professional development
• Attention to detail for the purposes of cash handling, recording of statistical data, and ensuring the safety of visitors and the security of the site Must be willing to abide by the museum dress code and policies, including the use of historical costumes