Interpreter Lead

Burnaby; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% in lieu of benefits

Job summary

The City of Burnaby seeks an auxiliary Interpreter Lead for Burnaby Village Museum to mentor interpreters and volunteers, assign tasks, and help shape memorable experiences through tours and discussions.

You will support and monitor interpretive programs, provide orientation and training, and ensure effective visitor information delivery while coordinating with programming staff.

Qualifications

• Grade 12+ courses related to museum work or equivalent experience.
• Experience leading staff and volunteers; comfortable with public interactions.
• Knowledge of museum education principles and delivering programs to groups or individuals.

Responsibilities

• Mentor museum interpreters and volunteers and assign tasks.
• Lead tours and discussions to create engaging experiences.
• Provide orientation, training and direction to staff and volunteers.
• Monitor site usage and support programming staff with information for visitors.
• Represent the museum with clear communication and collaborative spirit.

Skills

Leadership experience

Public interaction

Museum education

Education

Grade 12 or equivalent

Museum coursework

Tools

Driver’s Licence

Job description

Are you passionate about heritage, community and leadership? The City of Burnaby is currently seeking auxiliary Interpreter Leads for the Burnaby Village Museum, a busy 10-acre site that emphasizes fun and meaningful learning, and values personal encounters with history. As an Interpreter Lead, you will mentor museum interpreters and volunteers, assign tasks, and help shape unforgettable experiences through tours and discussions. You are responsible for supporting and monitoring the delivery of interpretive programs and content for visitors; provide orientation, training, and direction to staff and volunteers; monitor client and public use of the site; as well as support programming staff and provide information to visitors. If you’re ready to inspire curiosity, share Burnaby’s rich past, and lead with creativity and compassion, this is your chance to help make history fun, meaningful, and memorable. You will perform related work as required.

Qualifications include completion of grade 12 plus courses related to museum work and sound related experience in delivering educational programs to groups or individuals, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. The ideal candidate has experience leading staff and volunteers; is proficient in tactfully handling challenging interactions with the public; and is able to adapt to the unique complexities of a large open‑air museum. You will provide orientation, training and work direction; establish and maintain strong working relationships with staff and visitors and communicate effectively. You will have the knowledge and understanding of principles of museum education while also turning history into an engaging experience. You will bring interpretive techniques to life, share insights into British Columbia’s past (especially Burnaby’s urban story), and lead with confidence. You will train and guide others through clear communication and a collaborative spirit. A love for working with people in a dynamic and active environment is key to thriving in this role. A Driver’s Licence for the Province of British Columbia is required. Please note that a Police Information Check is required for this position.

Pay Rate: $31.58 per hour + 12% in lieu of benefits

Location: Burnaby Village Museum

Hours of work: This is an auxiliary position, hours and shifts are based on operational requirements and do not provide guaranteed hours of work, which may include on‑call shifts. Typical shifts will be 7 or 8‑hour shifts from:

• Monday through Sunday, between the hours of 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM
• March – September (Spring Break and Summer Season): Monday to Sunday, between the hours of 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• October – January (Haunted Village and Festive Village seasons): Monday to Sunday, between the hours of 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM

Copies of relevant professional certificates, degrees, or tickets will be required at the time of the interview. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

We respectfully acknowledge that the City of Burnaby is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil‑Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm Peoples (Kwikwetlem). Each Nation has distinct histories and distinct traditional territories that fully or partially encompass the city. We encourage you to learn more about the Host Nations whose ancestors have occupied and used these lands, including parts of present‑day Burnaby, for thousands of years. We are grateful to be on this territory as we dedicate ourselves to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects our vibrant community and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds, genders, ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and life experiences.