Part-time Interpretive Staff Member - Lakeshore Museum Center (3/19/2021)

DEPARTMENT: Historic Sites

REPORTS TO: Historic Sites Manager

STATUS: Part Time

SUPERVISES: None

POSITION TYPE 1: (5 days a week)

POSITION TYPE 2: (3 days a week)

START/END DATE:  April-December 2021

WAGE: $9.65/hour

Lakeshore Museum Center Historic Sites: Hackley and Hume Historic Site, Scolnik House of the Depression Era, and Fire Barn Museum

POSITION SUMMARY:  This position engages visitors by working as an interpreter (docent or guide) at all the Historic Sites. Provides guided thematic tours and leads experiential programming at all of our sites to a variety of groups including schools, families, and group tours.

WORK SCHEDULE:  Interpretive Staff Members will be trained to work at the Historic Sites at the Lakeshore Museum Center (LMC). This is a part-time position and will begin with training in April and work through the end of December with limited hours in November and December. The part-time position type 1: is scheduled 5 days per week and will generally work 25-30 hours per week. The part-time position type 2: is scheduled 3 days per week and will generally work 15-20 hours per week. Weekends and Holiday Tours are mandatory as scheduled. Due to COVID-19, hours are subject to change.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1.  Interpretation and Programming: 

• Provides accurate interpretation.
• Clearly communicates and is engaging to the audience.
• Manages groups of all ages.
• Reads an audience and adapts the tour accordingly.
• Asists with programs/events/tours as scheduled

2.  Security:

• Prepares the Historic Sites for visitors each day.
• -Unlocking, unarming buildings, turning on lights, setting up daily outside activities.
• Prepares the Historic Sites for closing each day.
• -Securing windows, doors, utilities, operates the security system, and arms and locks the buildings.
• Monitors site security and reports potential or real problems to the Site Manager.

3.  Policies

·         Ensures safety of the Museum’s collections.
·         Exhibits flexibility and shows good judgement in dealing with unexpected situations.
·         Effectively communicate and support site policies and procedures with visitors. Works May-December as scheduled.
·         Receive training on artifact care & handling and scheduled room cleaning as assigned.

4.  Customer Service

·         Display a welcoming and helping attitude to visitors.
·         Conduct great customer service.
·         Speak pleasantly and effectively.
·         Performs job in a conscientious and professional manner.
·         Speaks and acts in the best interest of the Historic Sites
·         Displays friendly body language and always works as part of the team.
·         Cross-promotes the other LMC sites.
·         Offer membership and upcoming programming information to the visitors.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must be 18 or older at start date of employment.
2. Must have an interest in historical interpretation.
3. Must have strong public speaking skills, a “visitor first” attitude, flexibility and be enthusiastic.
4. Must have demonstrated experience working with the public.
5. Must be able to walk up and down stairs.
6. Must work well in a dynamic, changing environment and be able to be flexible and adaptable to using different interpretation styles to meet the needs of visitors.

Physical Requirements:  An employee must be able to climb many staircases each day and be able to stand for long periods.

About the Hackley and Hume Historic Site:

This site preserves the homes of Muskegon's most famous lumber baron, Charles H. Hackley, and his business partner, Thomas Hume.  Along with representing the elite of the lumbering era, these Victorian homes are some of the best examples of Queen Anne residential style architecture.

About the Fire Barn Museum:

The Fire Barn Museum is a replica 1880s Hose Company that features a collection of historic fire fighting apparatus.  The Fire Barn also serves as a living memorial to the brave men and women who have served as Muskegon County firefighters.

About the Scolnik House of the Depression Era:

This house is staged as a hands-on home where visitors can experience the hard times that families went through during the Great Depression. 

To Apply:  Please submit cover letter and resume by March 19, 2021 to Erin Schmitz at erin@lakeshoremuseum.org or via mail to Lakeshore Museum Center, Attn: Historic Sites Interpretive Staff Member, 430 W. Clay Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440.

Posted on 2/1/2021