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Curatorial Research Assistant

Program stream:
Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage
Job title:
Curatorial Research Assistant
Organization name:
Royal Roads University
Job location:
Victoria, British Columbia
Length of assignment:
2017-10-02 to 2018-02-02 (18 weeks)
Hourly wage:
$22.00
Royal Roads University Museum and Archives invites applications for the position of Curatorial Research Assistant. The internship will run for 18 weeks, commencing October 2, 2017 and continue until February 2, 2018 with an hourly wage of $22.

Royal Roads University is located in the Colwood district of Greater Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Situated in the beautiful Hatley Park National Historic site, RRU is comprised of 230 hectares of forest, formal gardens, and terraces that overlook the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains. Buildings on site include Hatley Castle, which was commissioned by BC businessman and politician James Dunsmuir in 1908, as well as barrack blocks built by the military for Royal Roads Military College, on site from 1940 until 1995. RRU rests upon the ancestral lands of the lands of the Songhees (Lkwungen) and Esquimalt (Xwsepsum) families.
Under supervision and guidance by the Royal Roads University Museum and Archives Specialist, as well as the Indigenous Education and Student Services Manager, the Curatorial Research Assistant will research the Indigenous history of the site, working with local Nations and building on the strong relationship between RRU and the Xswepsum and Lkwungen families. In addition, the intern will gather information and stories relating to the experience of the large Chinese labour force employed during the Dunsmuir era from 1908-1937. Ideally, the intern will be able to make connections in the local community to help surface stories of those that shaped the residential development of Hatley Park in the early part of the 20th Century.

The intern will use the information gathered in the defined research areas to make connections with the artefacts in the RRU museum and archives permanent collection and, where appropriate, provide interpretation that incorporates a wider socio-historic perspective. The intern will have the opportunity to create displays, articles, and interpretive panels for the museum and other community events. The intern will be expected to approach the interpretation of the site’s Indigenous history from an Indigenous perspective, respecting the cultural protocols regarding the stories the Xwsepsum and Lkwungen families wish to share in the museum context.

Qualifications:
The candidate is required to be a graduate of a degree programme in a relevant discipline. A graduate degree is preferred with subject specialisation in Museum Studies, Library and Archival Studies, History, Anthropology, or Archeology. Research experience and previous work with a museum or archival collection is preferred. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Strong computer skills in a Windows environment
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize in order to meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on multiple projects at once
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs
While Royal Roads University values all applications we receive, only those candidates short-listed for further consideration will be contacted. Royal Roads University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the principle of equity in employment. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority consideration. Candidates must also meet the eligibility requirements as listed on the Young Canada Works website.
To apply please forward your cover letter and curriculum vitae (preferably in electronic format) to: rru-career-opportunities@royalroads.ca with a subject line of:

Curatorial Research Assistant – Last name, First name

Or mail to:

Human Resources - Career Opportunities
Royal Roads University
2005 Sooke Road
Victoria, BC V9B 5Y2
Fax: (250) 391-2570 Tel: (250) 391-2511

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