Job Summary
Using Strawbery Banke’s buildings, collections, landscapes and written resources, promote the Museum’s mission to share the ongoing history of a seaport neighborhood, celebrating the lives of ordinary individuals and the value of community by helping museum visitors engage with the past. Interpretive staff will incorporate narratives and viewpoints from diverse individuals and communities in their work. This involves a willingness to explore histories from the perspectives of marginalized groups, considering their experiences, struggles and contributions, and recognizing how race, gender, class, sexuality, and other factors intertwine in shaping historical events and people’s lives. Assist in protecting the safety of visitors and the security of collections.
Duties and Responsibilities
Interpreter Duties
- Effectively communicate the significance of artifacts and exhibits, making history come alive for diverse audiences.
- Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment by interacting with visitors, answering questions, and encouraging dialogue about historical topics.
- Be flexible and adaptable to changing exhibitions, events, and visitor demographics.
- Work collaboratively with Museum staff, educators, and volunteers to enhance the overall visitor experience.
- Ensure that visitors adhere to museum rules and regulations, maintaining a safe and respectful environment.
- Be aware of and address the diverse needs of visitors, including those with disabilities, to ensure an inclusive museum experience.
- Interact with visitors of all ages, interests, abilities and backgrounds to bring about new understandings of history and themselves .
- Uphold the mission of Strawbery Banke Museum and help implement its Long Range Interpretive Plan.
- Develop familiarity with interpretive topics and historical timeline of site
- Use a variety of approaches to communicate historical information including but not limited to conversation/dialog, description, discussion, inquiry and presentation of evidence.
- Help to ensure the welfare and safety of visitors and the security of collections
- Be able to serve in one or more following capacities: Exhibit Interpretation, Museum Teaching, and Skills Demonstration
Additional Duties
- Support the execution of special events, workshops, and educational programs hosted by the museum.
- Participate in ongoing training sessions to deepen historical knowledge, improve presentation skills, learn interpretive techniques, gain insight into educational theory, and stay updated on Museum policies.
- Actively promote Museum membership programs, special events, and educational programs to visitors.
- Work punctually on a tightly timed schedule
- Provide excellent customer service and relations to deliver an outstanding visitor experience
- Maintain a professional demeanor; comply with stated personnel policies, cultivate good relations with colleagues; and represent the Museum in a positive light
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts degree; coursework in history, art history, museum studies, anthropology, or education preferred; – or – Combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates equivalent proficiency
- Exhibit a genuine passion for educating the public about history and promoting the Museum’s educational mission.
- Knowledge of and interest in American history, especially New England culture and history
- Excellent public speaking skills and interpersonal abilities
- Ability to work enthusiastically with audiences of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds
- Ability to read, remember, and transmit accurate content according to interpretive goals
- Sound judgment in response to challenging situations
- Positive attitude and ability to build respectful working relationships
Requirements of all Strawbery Banke Museum Staff:
SBM is committed to fostering a workplace that is truly equitable, inclusive, and accessible for a diverse group of staff, volunteers, and visitors. As such, it is an essential requirement that every SBM staff member:
- Exhibit a positive, collegial attitude and ability to work cooperatively with others at all levels of the organization including direct reports, colleagues, supervisor, volunteers, and visitors of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds;
- Actively contribute to an organizational culture of empathy, dignity, trust, and respect. Each person at SBM agrees to proactively prevent and address issues such as unconscious bias, harassment, gender disparity, racial inequity, political divisiveness, and barriers to accessibility; and
- Foster inclusive and engaging interactions, accommodate safety and comfort needs and requests, and to provide the best visitor experience possible. Staff members equally share the responsibility of immediately addressing a deficiency, and/or, notifying the appropriate department or supervisor to address any situations.
Strawbery Banke Museum Staff Norms:
SBM is committed to fostering a supportive and safe work culture. Through a series of training sessions, the following norms were established:
- We will set and acknowledge boundaries that foster a healthy work/life balance
- We will help and support each other to create psychological safety and trust
- We will welcome different viewpoints, values, and ideas in solving organizational problems
- We will proactively, honestly, and constructively create clear expectations regarding communication with all potential stakeholders
- We will hold ourselves and each other accountable in executing mutually agreed upon decisions
Working Conditions
Weekend work is required. Work is performed indoors and out, in locations that may be hot, cold, dusty, or drafty.
Physical stamina sufficient to maintain an attentive posture for several hours, to respond quickly to visitors’ needs, and to otherwise fulfill the requirements of assigned tasks as needed. Sufficient mobility is required to traverse uneven grounds and dirt roads on a timed schedule, to use steps and/or ramps, and in some assignments, to lift, carry, and use objects such as hearth cooking equipment, firewood, weaving apparatus, etc.
Must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.