Museum Interpreter - Sankofa Mobile Museum

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission•Upper Marlboro, MD

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sankofa Mobile Museum, part of 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, is a traveling historical experience. Housed in a 27-ft trailer, it uses augmented reality, virtual reality, and facilitated dialogue to bring local history to life. Sankofa seeks an enthusiastic and creative individual with experience or a strong interest in museum interpretation, classroom education, dynamic storytelling, and social justice. This role supports museum operations by helping visitors connect with the past, think critically about it, preserve the stories of marginalized groups, and become agents of positive change. The Chief Objective is to guide visitors during school field trips and community events, enhancing the visitor experience, transforming education into advocacy, strengthening inclusivity, diversity, and belonging, and acting with integrity, respect, and trust.

Requirements

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 Outlook

Nice To Haves

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)

Responsibilities

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