Heritage Interpreter

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21; Halifax; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A cultural museum in Halifax seeks a Mandarin-speaking Heritage Interpreter for a 6-month contract from April to October 2026. The role involves delivering tours and workshops, ensuring visitor satisfaction, and providing historical information. Candidates must have a relevant degree, fluent Mandarin, and strong customer service skills. The position requires excellent communication and leadership abilities, along with cash handling experience. Applications are due by February 13, 2026, and the wage is $18 per hour plus vacation pay.

Qualifications

• Ability to speak fluent Mandarin is required.
• High level of customer service skills and knowledge.
• Well-developed communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver guided tours, presentations, and workshops.
• Assist with special programming delivery.
• Ensure visitor satisfaction.
• Conduct daily opening and closing operations.
• Sell tickets, receive cash, and perform cash reconciliation.

Skills

Fluent Mandarin

Customer service skills

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or certificate in a related discipline

Job description

Job Title: Heritage Interpreter – Mandarin speaking

Duration: 6 month contract from April to October 2026, with possibility of extending the contract

Wages: $18 per hour plus 4% vacation pay

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

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 has an opening for a Mandarin speaking 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.

Primary duties

• 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 the frontline conditions and report and/or remedy concerns appropriately 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 Assistant Manager, Interpretation
• Help to orient new Visitor Experience staff and volunteers
• Cross train and provide customer service in the Gift Shop if required.

Education, Knowledge & Experience

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
• The ability to speak fluent Mandarin
• 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

• Fluency in English and French
• 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

Please submit your cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

Closing date for applications is February 13, 2026 at 5pm AST.