Heritage Interpreter
- Program stream:
- Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations
- Job title:
- Heritage Interpreter
- Organization name:
- Diefenbaker Canada Centre
- Job location:
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Length of assignment:
- 2018-05-06 to 2018-07-28 (12 weeks)
- Hourly wage:
- $13.00
The Heritage Interpreter (HI) will enhance access to & appreciation for local built heritage by providing increased opportunities for the public, school, & community groups to visit the Little Stone Schoolhouse (LSS) & to participate in themed interpretive heritage walking tours of the University of Saskatchewan Campus (UofS). The HI will strive to create strong personal connections between visitors & locally built heritage using stories from the diverse & rich history of the LSS & UofS.
The LSS, a designated Municipal & Provincial Heritage Property is a granite, one-room stone school,cira 1887. Originally known as Victoria School, it was the area’s first public school & community building. Known as one of the first heritage conservation projects in western Canada, sponsored by the IODE, it was dismantled stone by stone & reassembled on the grounds of the then newly established UofS in 1911. The Saskatoon Council of Women raised funds to restore the LSS as a Centennial Project, it has served for 50 years as a schoolhouse museum & built heritage asset, open seasonally for school programs, community groups & public open houses.
Founded in 1907 in the heart of Saskatoon, the UoS is located on Treaty 6 territory & the homeland of the Métis. Its main campus includes over 35 buildings & sites which have heritage designations or are considered heritage assets. Using themed heritage walking tours of campus the HI will connect participants to these significant built heritage properties. In addition to the general & Great War themed tours, summer 2018 will debut a newly researched Indigenous tour. Indigenous culture, stories, and experiences have shaped much of the UofS’s built heritage (Peter MacKinnon & Memorial Union Building, in addition to recent buildings (Gordon Oakes Red Bear & the Native Law Centre).
The HI will collaborate with local heritage organizations & experts to gather additional research as needed to enhance both the programming & documented history of the LSS and UofS campus.
The HI will review previous research on the restoration period & use of the LSS as a museum & incorporate key findings into an accessible & customizable docent guide for patrons of all ages & abilities. They will deliver educational programming & interpretive tours of the LSS, highlighting the newly acquired material & coordinate public open houses & assist with related promotion.
The HI will also participate in various community outreach & programming activities with varied visitors & groups (youth, seniors, special needs, newcomer, & Indigenous). Additionally they will assist with daily operations of the DCC: greeting visitors, front desk duties, opening & closing procedures, & tour logistics.
The UofS is strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that empowers all employees to reach their full potential. All members of the university community share a responsibility for developing and maintaining an environment in which differences are valued and inclusiveness is practiced. The university welcomes applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community.
The ideal candidate is passionate about Canadian history and will have some general familiarity with, or the willingness to work towards, the following skill set:
Culturally aware and a desire to work with people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly children and groups
• Excellent verbal communication, presentation and public relations skills
• Strong research skills and the ability to learn and retain historical information
• Flexible and able to adapt to change in a fast-paced setting
• Organizational skills and the ability to set and adhere to work priorities
• An understanding of or background knowledge in Indigenous and Canadian history, governance, and politics
• Ability to set and meet deadlines while working on multiple projects and to take initiative
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team in both a leadership and support capacity
• A commitment to exceptional customer service, including a tactful, responsive, pleasant and effective manner in person, phone and email communication
• Excellent public relations and communications skills for interacting with a variety of patrons
• Ability to utilize the knowledge and skill set of peers and seek guidance when needed
• Ability to problem solve effectively in an independent manner
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with MS Office
This position requires schedule flexibility as weekend and evening shifts are required and may include some in-province travel. Previous experience in interpretation or the ability to communicate in French (written and oral) would be considered an asset.
Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Terresa Ann DeMong, DCC Manager at dief.centre@usask.ca. The application deadline is April 15, 2018. We thank all who apply; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The UofS is strongly committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that empowers all employees to reach their full potential. All members of the university community share a responsibility for developing and maintaining an environment in which differences are valued and inclusiveness is practiced. The university welcomes applications from those who will contribute to the diversity of our community.
Additional Information
The Diefenbaker Canada Centre’s (DCC) mandate is to build on the legacy of the Right Honourable John G. Diefenbaker by celebrating citizenship, leadership, human rights and Canada’s role in the international community. In addition to preserving and interpreting the core collection of personal artifacts bequeathed to the UofS, the DCC proudly hosts exhibits that interpret the Canadian experience, with a particular emphasis on the culture and heritage of the nation’s many peoples.
The only Prime Ministerial Centre in Canada, the DCC enriches the community’s civic and cultural knowledge through:
a gallery featuring in-house researched and produced displays, as well as nationally acclaimed travelling exhibits that bring the university and wider public together to explore topics that speak to the heart of our mandate;
quality educational programs that encourage youth to investigate the significance of history, rights, freedoms and Canadian governance, while challenging them to be aware of their vital role as active citizens;
creating engagement opportunities with the larger community in a cultural space where discussion and debate are encouraged;
and attendance at local cultural and community events, providing increased access to Canadian heritage and history.
Saskatoon, a name derived from the Cree misâskwatômina, is Saskatchewan's largest city with a growing estimated population of 265,300 (2016). Situated along the South Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon features riverbank parklands along with the Meewasin Valley trails. This dynamic city celebrates many festivals and special events annually, including Folkfest, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.
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