Clerk 3 (Senior Heritage Interpreter)

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.

Do you have a passion for Nova Scotia's rich cultural and natural heritage and an interest in sharing these stories with others? The Nova Scotia Museum, part of CCTH, has 28 incredible sites that each offer unique opportunities for creativity and connecting with others. If you are positive, flexible and ready to learn new things, then come join a team of likeminded people.

This position will work at Lawrence House Museum, one of the NSM sites. Once home to William D. Lawrence, who in 1874, secured his place in marine history by constructing the largest wooden-hulled, fully-rigged ship ever built in Canada. This Victorian home museum presents both the life of the Lawrence family as well as life during the era of shipbuilding and the Golden age of Sail in Maitland; Nova Scotia's first designated Heritage Conservation district.

Lawrence House Museum is reopening after a one-year temporary closure.

About Our Opportunity

Lawrence House Museum is excited to announce an opening for a Senior Heritage Interpreter. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team dedicated to preserving and sharing Nova Scotia's rich cultural and natural history.

The Senior Heritage Interpreter will be supported by the NSM Manager for Rural Sites. This role will oversee and support a maintenance worker, heritage interpreter(s) and a team of volunteers in offering the best interpretive experience for visitors.

This position would fit well with someone who would enjoy taking a leadership role in developing meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages and diverse backgrounds, including interpretation programs, and public events. You will also provide leadership in these areas to heritage interpreters and volunteers. You will be ensuring approved standards are met, complete administrative duties, and provide care for the museum collection. This position collaborates and engages with NSM and departmental colleagues, educators, community partners and organizations to help ensure the museum is relevant and responsive to the interests and needs of Nova Scotians.

You will be a vital member of the Nova Scotia Museum's frontline staff. The Senior Heritage Interpreter will 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.

Primary Accountabilities

You will:

• Lead and coordinate the research, planning, development, delivery, evaluation and promotion of museum interpretive programs and events, including daily tours
• Provide leadership and support to frontline interpretive staff and volunteers
• Ensure frontline operations meet NSM standards and visitor expectations
• Answer public enquiries
• ensure friendly, accurate and timely information about museum programs, events and services is provided in person, e-mail, on the web or by phone
• Provide safety and security of the museum collection by learning how to appropriately clean and care for these artifacts and specimens using approved handling policies and procedures
• Ensure the safety and security of the museum and the public by ensuring daily safety and security procedures are followed and ensuring the site operates efficiently including assisting with cleaning
• Oversee and participate in opening and closing procedures for the site as required on a daily and at the start and end of the season
• Complete administrative duties
• Engage with diverse communities, groups and organizations in all stages of program and event planning and implementation prepare promotional materials and coordinate distribution through various media

The successful candidate will be trained in 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.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this position, you must have four (4) years of experience. An acceptable equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

The following training and experience are required:

• 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 collections
• 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
• Relevant experience leading projects or groups and planning, coordinating and delivering youth and/or adult programs
• Demonstrate the ability to lead a team and work as a team member
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet, and social media).

The successful candidate will be trained in 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

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

Additional Information

This is a TEMPORARY employment opportunity. The appointment status ('term', 'temporary' or 'casual') is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

This is a Temporary seasonal employment opportunity for the period between May and October. Successful candidates must have the ability to work flexible hours including some weekends, evenings and holidays. In your resume/covering letter, please clearly state how you qualify for this position and your flexibility on working hours.

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