Museum jobs in Canada

Job Title: Heritage Interpreter - Bilingual

Duration: 6 month contract from March/April to September/October 2024

There is the possibility of extending the contract.

Wages: $17.30 per hour plus 4% vacation pay

Hours: 37.5 hours a week with two (2) paid rest periods of 15 minutes and one 30 minute unpaid lunch break each day. As the Museum operates 7 days a week, the workweek includes Saturdays and/or Sundays and irregular hours (evenings, weekends).

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 has an opening for a bilingual Heritage Interpreter.

The primary responsibility of the Heritage Interpreter is to provide excellent customer service to individuals, school groups and special interest groups on visits to the Museum.

The Heritage Interpreter is expected to interpret the permanent, travelling and temporary exhibitions, describe particular areas of interest, answer questions and provide historically accurate information on immigration in a creative way that encourages the audience to participate. The Heritage Interpreter must also complete accurate cash, debit and credit transactions at the front ticket counter, and may be asked to provide customer service in the Gift Shop occasionally.

• Deliver guided tours, presentations and workshops to individuals, school groups and special interest groups.
• Assist with the delivery of special programming.
• Ensure visitor satisfaction with excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Meet and greet visitors in both official languages and provide general Museum and tourist information as required.
• Participate in the development of interpretive programming.
• Sell tickets, receive cash and perform end-of-day cash reconciliation according to instruction.
• Monitor frontline conditions and report and/or remedy concerns appropriately, including the appearance of the lobby and Welcome Pavilion; changes in the state of exhibitions and workshop materials; equipment set-up; etc.
• Assist with quality control in the Museum.
• Conduct ongoing and regular research to improve the quality of Museum presentations and to provide accurate and timely information.
• Develop a well-rounded, current knowledge of the Museum, including all departments and services in order to offer appropriate recommendations/information to visitors.
• Conduct daily opening and closing operations of the Museum.
• Assume additional responsibilities as requested by the Interpretation and Visitor Experience Manager and the Interpretation and Visitor Experience Coordinator.
• Help to orient new Visitor Experience staff and volunteers.
• Cross train and provide customer service in the Gift Shop if required.

Skills and Qualifications – Required

• Bachelor’s degree or certificate in related discipline such as history, education, tourism or an equivalent in years of experience through demonstrated ability.
• Fluency in English and French.
• High level of customer service skills and knowledge.
• Well-developed communication, leadership and organizational skills.
• An outwardly consistent, positive and enthusiastic attitude.
• A demonstrated excellent understanding of how to provide exceptional visitor service.
• High accuracy in performing cash, debit and credit transactions.
• Dedicated to keeping all forms and reports constantly up-to-date and accurate.
• The ability to remain calm and professional under frequently changing and stressful circumstances.
• Comfort with public speaking.

Skills and Qualifications – Desired

• Experience serving the public within a high traffic environment either within a museum, visitor attraction and/or customer service position.
• Experience leading activities for children.
• Experience in a team environment.
• Experience working with volunteers.

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is committed to having a skilled, diversified workforce reflective of Canadian Society. Applications are invited from all qualified candidates, including Indigenous persons, women, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, visible minorities, racialized people, and people with disabilities. The Museum is committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environment. Alternative selection tool methods and/or reasonable accommodations are available upon request.