Museum Programs: Mackinac Island Civilian Interpreter

Mackinac; Michigan; On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Museum Programs at Mackinac Island is seeking a Civilian Interpreter to work at Fort Mackinac and the American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum. This full-time seasonal role focuses on interpreting 1880s life for visitors, with themes tied to Fort Mackinac and Mackinac Island's history.

The position requires enthusiasm, strong public speaking, and a dedication to public engagement. Work spans 12–23 weeks, typically 40 hours per week, at Fort Mackinac and related sites.

Qualifications

• Must have an interest in public history and historical interpretation, and be dedicated to public engagement and education.
• Must be outgoing, enthusiastic, self-motivated, and have strong public speaking skills.
• Experience with or interest in learning historic interpretation, the history of U.S. Army civilians, Great Lakes tourism, 19th century material culture and society, and other period topics is strongly recommended.
• Must be able to follow verbal and written directions and communicate with visitors and coworkers.
• Must be able to work the assigned position length (12–23 weeks).

Responsibilities

• Put visitors to our sites on Mackinac Island and other MSHP sites first by treating them with respect, serving their needs, and providing an enjoyable and educational experience.
• Informally interpret the life of an army civilian or tourist at Fort Mackinac in the 1880s.
• Lead or participate in regularly scheduled formal programs at Fort Mackinac.
• Informally interpret at the American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum.
• Interpret the history of the McGulpin House on select days.
• Participate in other interpretive presentations and special events as required.

Skills

Public speaking

Public history

Enthusiastic

Public engagement

Job description

Museum Programs: Mackinac Island Civilian Interpreter

Department:Museum Programs
Locations:Historic Downtown Mackinac and Fort Mackinac,Mackinac Island
Start/End Date:Early June through August, positions can range from 12-23 weeks
Pay Rate:Starting at $15.00/hr

This position serves visitors to Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP) by working as a historic interpreter at Fort Mackinac, an original 19th-century fort, and at the American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum, both located on Mackinac Island. This full-time seasonal position is responsible for interpreting Fort Mackinac with various themes connected to the 1880s and at the American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum with various themes connected to the 1820s.

Responsibilities:

• Put visitors to our sites on Mackinac Island and other MSHP sites first by treating them with respect, serving their needs, and providing an enjoyable and educational experience.


• Informally interpret the life of an army civilian or tourist at Fort Mackinac in the 1880s.


• Lead or participate in regularly scheduled formal programs at Fort Mackinac.


• Informally interpret at the American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum.


• Interpret the history of the McGulpin House on select days.


• Participate in other interpretive presentations and special events as required.

Position Requirements:

• Must have an interest in public history and historical interpretation and be dedicated to public engagement and education.


• Must be outgoing, enthusiastic, self-motivated, and have strong public speaking skills.


• Experience with or interest in learning historic interpretation, the history of U.S. Army civilians, Great Lakes tourism, 19th century material culture and society, and other period and exhibit-appropriate topics is strongly recommended.


• Must be able to follow verbal and written directions and be able to verbally communicate with visitors and coworkers.


• Must be able to work the assigned position length. Positions range from approximately 12 weeks to 23 weeks.

Work Location and Schedule:

This is a full-time seasonal position, which typically works 40 hours per week ranging from 12-23 weeks. The workstation for this position is Fort Mackinac and the American Fur Co. Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum on Mackinac Island, although the employee may be required to work at other MSHP park sites. The position is based both indoors in historic structures and outdoors on site. Work schedules are posted in advance and are subject to change depending on park operational needs. The employee must be willing to work independently and may be asked to work evenings, holidays, and/or weekends as park needs dictate.

Physical Requirements:

Stretching and bending are moves commonly made throughout the day by employees in this position. The employee must have the ability to do the following activities, with or without, reasonable accommodation: frequent lifting, carrying, transporting, loading and unloading of supplies, walking long distances and on rough terrain, frequent twisting, bending, stooping, reaching and grasping, sitting and/or standing for long periods of time, and ability to utilize ferry boat transportation to and from Mackinac Island. The employee will be required to wear a historic costume or a uniform as required while working indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions. This position will be exposed to extreme heat conditions working near an open hearth within historic buildings and outdoors around the site; individual must be able to work in this type of environment.

Dress Code:

MSHP maintains a dress code for employees in the public service to promote a productive and safe work environment and to maintain MSHP's public image. This means no inappropriate hairstyles, jewelry, clothing or fashion statements are allowed. Employees are required to be in approved park costume at all times while on duty, which includes the wearing of proper footwear. MSHP will furnish the employee with the required costume items which must be returned at the end of seasonal employment. Violation of the dress code may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Supervision:

The employee works under the direction of the Interpretation Coordinator and the Lead Mackinac Island Civilian Interpreter.

General Position Information:

This is a temporary seasonal at-will position which serves at the will of the employer and does not include recall rights or benefits (other than those mandated by governmental laws). This position will expire at the time employment is ended for the season and the employee does not have recall rights to this or any other MSHP position in the future. Specifically, the park is under no obligation to hire the individual in subsequent seasons. The number of weeks and hours worked may vary as park needs dictate. Additional information will be provided upon employment.

Due to the high volume of applications, only those applicants invited to interview will be contacted.