Museum Interpreter - Sankofa Mobile Museum

Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission; Upper Marlboro (MD); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance eligibility

Credit Union

Sick Leave Benefits

Job summary

The Sankofa Mobile Museum in Prince George’s County seeks staff to guide visitors through immersive historical experiences, balancing dialogue with hands-on learning, during field trips and community events.

We value applicants with at least two years of public-facing work, English proficiency, and comfort speaking to crowds. Duties include coordinating programs, maintaining safety, and collaborating with the Sankofa team.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of public-facing work experience.
• Ability to conversationally speak and write in English.
• Ability to lift 35 pounds and stand for extended periods.
• Willingness to travel/drive throughout Prince George’s County.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, and other Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Assist operations to create welcoming, safe, and engaging environments for visitors during field trips and events.
• Guide visitors through the Sankofa experience balancing dialogue and lecture with engagement and learning.
• Facilitate educational and youth-centered programs sharing historical resources.
• Engage youth with age-appropriate discussions about local history and resilience.
• Support development of resources aligned with K12 social studies frameworks.

Skills

Public-facing experience

Public speaking

Microsoft Office

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

The Sankofa Mobile Museum is a dynamic, interactive historical experience within the Natural and Historical Resources Division (NHRD) of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. The museum travels throughout the county in a 27-ft trailer that brings untold stories of local history to life through augmented reality, virtual reality, and facilitated dialogue.

Chief Objective Of The Position

During school field trips and at community special events, the selected candidate will help guide visitors through the museum in ways that align with the core pillars of NHRD. Specifically, they will enhance the visitor experience, in both quality and quantity; leave a legacy by transforming education into advocacy; strengthen inclusivity, diversity, and belonging; and act with integrity, respect, and trust.

For more information about the Seasonal Hiring process and application status for Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation, please contact Brenda Miller at [e-mail].

Examples of Important Duties

• Supporting museum operations in ways that create welcoming, safe, and engaging environments for visitors of all types, during field trips and special events.
• Leading visitors through the Sankofa experience in ways that appropriately balance dialogue and lecture, entertainment and learning, and engagement and self-exploration, while always articulating a full history of the local area.
• Facilitating a variety of interpretive, educational, and youth-centered programs that share historical resources with general audiences and specialty groups.
• Engaging young people in age-appropriate yet honest ways that teach them about historic figures from Prince George’s County who experienced oppression and marginalization but who also demonstrated resilience and resistance.
• Sharing the history of this region and the lived experiences of Prince Georgians with visitors who may be resistant to learning about enslavement, racism, and other forms of discrimination.
• Conducting research grounded in primary and secondary sources to support the development of educational resources aligned with the K12 social studies frameworks for Maryland; the mission, vision, values, and inclusive interpretation initiatives of the Sankofa Mobile Museum; and the NHRD Impact Planning Framework.
• Contributing as an active member of the Sankofa team through collaborations with other staff on programs designed to engage visitors in tech-based modules, facilitated discussions, and hands-on activities.
• Attending trainings and workshops to continue learning and integrating best practices into the museum work done at Sankofa.
• Helping keep the historic site and vehicle fleet cleanly, in accordance with historic preservation and automotive maintenance best practices.
• Communicating with school liaisons and other community partners in ways that forge, maintain, and strengthen our relationships with them.
• Assisting the Museum Director as needed and fulfilling other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• A willingness to travel/drive throughout Prince George’s County.
• Ability to conversationally speak and write in English.
• Ability to lift 35 pounds.
• Ability to walk, bend, and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• At least 2 years of public-facing work experience.
• Comfortability speaking in front of crowds.
• Enthusiasm for connecting the past with the present to help bring about a more just future.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products like Word, Excel, and.

OutlookCandidate Should Specify If They Possess

• Conversational proficiency in languages other than English.
• Experience as a classroom educator.
• Skills involving social media.
• Familiarity with the Maryland Social Studies Frameworks.
• A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Supplemental Information

May be subject to drug and alcohol testing.

Upon accepting a job offer, the selected candidate will be subject to a complete criminal background check.

Office Location

Watkins Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Work Schedule

• Must be willing to work at least 16 hours a week in the office, over the course of two days.
• Additional hours may become available based on performance, with a maximum of 24 hours per week.
• Must be available some weekends and holidays (primarily Juneteenth and July Fourth).
• Flexible scheduling available for college students.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1).

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.

THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

2026 Benefit Summary For Seasonal Intermittent Employees

The following information is a summary of benefits extended to all Seasonal employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). This is for informational purposes only and is subject to change.

Health Insurance Plans

You are eligible for specific health insurance benefits if you worked, on average, 30 hours per week during your first 12 months of employment or from October 3rd to October 2nd each subsequent period following your first 12 months of employment. This equates to 1,560 hours over a 12-month period.

If and when you are eligible for benefits, you will receive notification directly from the Health & Benefits Office.

Eligible Employees Pay 35% of the health insurance plan premium and The Commission Pays 65%.

• Medical
  • Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan
  • UnitedHealthcare Select Plan (EPO)
• Prescription: CVS Caremark Prescription Plan

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Sick Leave Benefits