Interpreter Lead

City of Burnaby; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 37,000 - 50,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

12% in lieu of benefits

Job summary

City of Burnaby is seeking an Interpreter Lead for the Burnaby Village Museum to mentor interpreters and volunteers, assign tasks, and help shape engaging museum experiences through tours and discussions.

The role requires guiding program delivery, providing orientation and training, and maintaining strong relationships with staff and visitors while turning BC’s past into an engaging learning experience.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 + museum-related courses or equivalent training.
• Experience leading staff and volunteers.
• Ability to handle challenging public interactions tactfully.
• Understanding of museum education principles and conveying history engagingly.

Responsibilities

• Mentor museum interpreters and volunteers and assign tasks.
• Support and monitor the delivery of interpretive programs and content.
• Provide orientation, training and direction to staff and volunteers.
• Monitor site use and assist programming staff with visitor information.

Skills

Leadership

Staff mentoring

Public interaction

Museum education

Communication

Education

Grade 12 + museum-related courses

Job description

Interpreter Lead

Competition No: 2026-IL

Duration: Auxiliary

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

Last Updated: 8/4/26

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

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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.

Visit us at www.burnaby.ca