Historical Interpreter III - TP60083589

Natural and Cultural Resources; Craven Terrace (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) seeks an Historic Interpreter III to lead daily tours, manage programs and budgets, and assist the Education Branch. You will interpret on-site buildings, support events, and recruit volunteers while ensuring safety protocols for historical arms.

Applicants should have strong history knowledge and experience tailoring tours to audiences, plus the ability to obtain safety licensure and coordinate schedules with staff and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required with four years of tour experience.
• Experience developing or giving museum tours is preferred.
• Ability to communicate clearly to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Deliver daily tours and interpretive content across site buildings.
• Assist in budgeting, event planning, and long-term program development.
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers; oversee uniforms and gear.
• Represent the organization professionally to visitors and partners.
• Serve as Certified Safety Officer for 18th–19th century small arms and artillery.
• Provide occasional event setup, outreach, and administrative support.

Skills

Public speaking

Tour interpretation

Volunteer coordination

Budgeting

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Four years of experience giving or developing museum tours

Job description

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) enriches people’s lives through education and stewardship of North Carolina’s natural and cultural resources. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo, the Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, the North Carolina Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. These programs and places unite North Carolinians, create a shared identity, and provide common ground. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.

Description of Work

The Historic Interpreter III leads daily tours, manages program operations and budgets, and supports the Education Branch with limited supervision. They provide interpretation across all on‑site buildings, assist weekend and special‑event operations, and serve as the Certified Safety Officer for small arms and artillery. The role includes recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteers, as well as maintaining training materials and ensuring proper historical clothing and gear.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver daily tours and tailored historical interpretation across all site buildings while supporting weekend, special event, and school group operations.
• Manage program needs including budgeting, coordination with Education Branch staff/volunteers, and assisting in the development of new events and long‑term planning.
• Recruit, train, and communicate with volunteer groups, including administering annual small arms and artillery instruction and coordinating required uniforms and gear.
• Represent the organization professionally in interactions with visitors, donors, partners, and collaborate effectively across departments with strong written and verbal communication.
• Serve as Certified Safety Officer for 18th–19th century small arms and artillery, ensuring compliance and overseeing required weapons‑related training.
• Provide occasional logistical support (event setup/takedown, outreach activities, administrative tasks) when not in conflict with core interpretive or safety duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

Recruitment Range: $33,902.00 - $42,500.00

• ***SIGN-ON BONUS BEING OFFERED*** A sign‑on bonus of $1500 is being offered for eligible candidates. See eligibility at https://oshr.nc.gov/policies/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy *Payout contingent on funding availability*

Applicants who possess the following are preferred:

Working knowledge of state and national history.

Considerable knowledge of site history.

Ability to adapt historical tours to age, interest level, special interests or time constraints.

Ability to obtain certified safety officer licensure through DNCR to serve as site Certified Safety Officer for 18th and 19th century small arms and artillery.

Ability to organize and prioritize the work schedules of others to manage multiple tasks and/or projects.

Position / Physical Requirements

Must be able to work the schedule of Tuesday - Saturday 8:00am - 5:00pm with occasional evening and holiday work required as needed. Must be able to work in a wide variety of environments, including indoors, outdoors, inclement weather, heat, cold, smoke, etc.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma AND four years of experience in giving or developing museum tours; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Section / Unit Description

The Tryon Palace Education Section is dedicated to facilitating engaging, educational experiences for all visitors. We provide guided tours, school programs, and living history interpretations that showcase the diverse social and cultural history of Tryon Palace and its surrounding buildings. Our team specializes in costumed interpretation, bringing the past to life through daily tours, special events, and collaborative efforts with other departments.

Division Description

The purpose of Tryon Palace is: To educate growing numbers of North Carolinians and visitors to this state about the contributions made by the inhabitants of New Bern and the central North Carolina coast to the history and culture of this state and the United States from the time of initial European‑American contact through the nineteenth century. This mission will be carried out through historical research; acquisition, interpretation, and preservation of historic objects and buildings; re‑creation of period room settings and gardens based on historical documentation; public outreach in the form of tours, symposia, workshops, and seasonal interpretation; and dissemination of historical information through staff presentations and by other means. All historical interpretation conducted as part of this mission shall be based on factual, balanced scholarship.

Supplemental and Contact Information

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The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job‑related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence. We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.

Employment Eligibility

It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and DNCR that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment. We participate in E‑Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).

Sign On Bonus Eligibility

To be eligible for a sign‑on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time‑limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including without limitation the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system, subject to the State Human Resources Act. Employee eligible for a sign‑on must work at least 20 hours per week. All Sign‑on Bonuses are contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. Additional information regarding the Sign‑on Policy can be found here.

Contact Information

The position is located at: Tryon Palace 529 S. Front St. New Bern, NC 28562

Organization: N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Division of Human Resources 109 E. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601 Phone: [phone]

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.