Clerk 2 (Heritage Interpreter, Seasonal)

About Us

The Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCTH) supports communities across the province to be welcoming, inclusive and accessible, providing a great quality of life for Nova Scotians and a memorable experience for visitors. We value the collective diversity of our heritage and our people and believe in the transformative nature of culture to help create healthy, active, growing communities. For more information visit https://cch.novascotia.ca/
 

The Nova Scotia Museum is the largest decentralized museum in Canada. It comprises 28 museums across the province and is a collection of historic houses, villages, mills, and thematic museums that tell the stories of the people and events that shaped Nova Scotia's cultural and natural heritage.

About Our Opportunity

The Nova Scotia Museum is excited to announce openings for heritage interpreters at Clifton Museum Park, Uniacke Estate Museum Park, and Prescott House Museum. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team dedicated to preserving and sharing Nova Scotia's rich cultural and natural history.
 

You will be a vital member of the Nova Scotia Museum’s frontline staff. Heritage Interpreters support the Museum’s goal to promote and engage visitors in understanding Nova Scotia’s unique cultural and natural history through interpretive programs and events.  
 

The Heritage Interpreter (Clerk 2) position would fit well with someone who enjoys meaningful conversation with visitors of all ages and diverse backgrounds. You engage with visitors to learn about the museum collection and the cultural and natural history of Nova Scotia. You will enable this through hands-on, interactive, well-researched activities. This position will deliver the museum’s school and public interpretive programs, demonstrations, events, workshops, tours, and presentations.

Primary Accountabilities

You will assist with:

• Retail, visitor, and client services 
• Planning, research, and evaluation
• Public enquiries, e-mail, web-based and telephone requests for information and program registration
• Maintaining the museum collection by learning how to appropriately clean and care for these artifacts and specimens using approved handling policies and procedures
• Following daily safety and security procedures and ensuring the site operates efficiently; ; and,
• Cleaning and administrative duties

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this position, you must have three (3) years of experience.  An acceptable equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.
 
The following training and experience are assets:
 

• Coordinating, developing, and delivering interpretive programs and events in a heritage or cultural institution (e.g. museum, science or interpretive centre, library, or art gallery)
• Providing the safety and security of the museum collection and the public
• Knowledge and interest in local and Nova Scotian history and respect for the historical integrity of the site and its collection
• Strong research and written communication skills that all ages and diverse backgrounds can comprehend
• Strong verbal communication skills with creative and innovative ways to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds
• Ease of interacting with the public, demonstrating tact, listening skills and a positive attitude
• Demonstrate the ability to work as a team member
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet, and social media).

 
The successful candidate will be trained in the Nova Scotia Museum, government, and departmental policies and procedures.
 
Previous museum work experience and French-language skills are considered assets.
 
We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: Interview(s), reference checks, oral presentations, and written exercises.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

Physical demands include walking, sitting, bending, lifting, standing, climbing stairs, moving equipment, furniture, and objects.  Heritage Interpreters perform daily and seasonal cleaning duties.  Some museum buildings have minimal climate control and are frequently hot or cold. Frequent interruptions, requests for information from the public, and meeting daily operational needs require flexibility, patience, teamwork, and good communication skills. Wearing identification, uniform, and/or period costume as required.

Location: 

• Clifton Museum Park, 424 Clifton Avenue, Windsor, Nova Scotia.
• Uniacke Estate Museum Park, 758 Highway 1, Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia
• Prescott House Museum, 1633 Starrs Point Road, Port Williams, Nova Scotia
   

Please note due to their historic nature the museum sites are not fully accessible. 

Additional Information

This is a seasonal employment opportunity for the period between May and October. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate. Successful candidates must be able to work flexible hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays. In your resume/cover letter, please clearly state how you qualify for this position and your flexibility on working hours.
 

Candidates must complete reference and background checks, including a criminal record check and a vulnerable sector search.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules