About the Role
Historical Interpreter - Seasonal
Reports to: Experiences Supervisor
Compensation: $19.00 - $20.00, 4% vacation
Hours of work: Up to 35 hours per week. Requires flexible weekend and holiday availability.
Position Summary
The position of Historical Interpreter is a unique opportunity for those with an interest in history, heritage trades, tourism, education, and/or museum studies, who would like to build a variety of new skills over the summer months. Our Historical Interpreters are the heart of historic site’s programming, leading the daily tours, interpreting the history of the site for visitors through hands-on, first person costumed interpretation, and leading education programs.
Historical Interpreters will gain experience in the day-to-day operation of a heritage organization. They will develop and learn valuable skills, such as public speaking, managing groups, historical interpretation, conservation and restoration, cultural program development and delivery, and office procedures.
We are looking for these personal qualities:
Initiative: We need someone who has ideas as well as someone who can come up with creative solutions!
Reliability: We must be able to count on you to ensure the success of our programs.
Judgement: Things evolve rapidly, being able to make decisions with discernment is an essential quality to being successful in this position
Detail Oriented: the details matter!
Requirements
Position Duties and Responsibilities
Deliver informative and engaging interpretive guided tours of the historic site to visitors.
Share with visitors the site’s historical significance and past resident’s lived experiences through first-person interpretation programs, including heritage trades such as leather working, tin smithing, black smithing, gold panning, and print making.
Operate a retail shop in conjunction with interpretation.
Assist with youth education programs including, delivering the programs, creating new, fun and unique activities that are suitable for children aged 6-10, manage the materials, and set-up and clean up.
Oversee volunteers who contribute to and support the delivery of the summer programs.
Foster strong relationships between the heritage site and visitors
Ensure the safety and security of guests and museum materials through the implementation of museum best practices and set Policies and Procedures.
Greet tour groups, introduce the site, and deliver site rules to visitors.
Adapt tours and programs to the needs of various age groups and/or nationalities.
Contribute to ongoing evaluations of interpretive programs.
Keeping public and private spaces clean and sanitized; including heritage and program buildings, and grounds.
Knowledge and Experience
Prefer a background in History, English, Museum Studies, Tourism, Indigenous Studies, Education or related field.
Knowledge and experience with blacksmithing, print making, leather working, gold panning, and/or tin smithing an asset.
An understanding of Indigenous relations in this region; additionally, familiarity with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the relevant Calls to Action for Museums is an asset. This knowledge can be through education, lived or worked experience.
Knowledge of diverse learners an asset.
First Aid Level 1 certification required.
Abilities and Skills
Must possess excellent verbal communication skills with demonstrable public speaking experience.
Possess professionalism, personal maturity, and excellent interpersonal skills.
Must be a team player.
Reliable cash handling and pos operation an asset.
Time management skills.
Experience working with diverse audiences and groups, including children an asset.
Have an outgoing personality, enjoy working with the public
Strength and mobility to stand for extended periods, work an active 8 hour shift, work outside, navigate stairs and lift reasonable weights.
About the Company
Fort Steele Heritage Town is a landmark site located in Fort Steele BC (17.4km outside Cranbrook BC). The Provincially owned heritage site preserves the remaining physical evidence of the four distinct stages of settlement: Galbraith’s Ferry era (1864-65), the Kootenay Post era (late 1880s), the Fort Steele era (1890s) and the period of decline (beginning in 1898). We preserve and display the archaeological and physical remains of the people who lived, worked and died at the Fort Steele site and serve as a repository for the history of the East Kootenay region for all to explore and discover. We would like to acknowledge that Fort Steele Heritage Town is located on the traditional, ancestral and present Ktunaxa homeland and extend our gratitude for the opportunity to live and learn in mutual respect and appreciation.
The Heritage Site is supported by the Cranbrook Archives, Museum and Landmark Society and its Executive Management Team which provides strategic direction, development and funding to achieve the museum’s mission. Our team values a supportive and collaborative work culture that is respectful, challenging and promotes diversity and creativity.