Seasonal Historical Interpreter

The Trustees of Reservations • Ipswich, MA

11d • $17 - $19 • Onsite

About The Position

At Castle Hill on the Crane Estate each of our tours is led by a trained, costumed interpreter who plays the role of one of the many servants in the Great House, the Crane family’s summer home. If you join the “staff” you’ll be greeting visitors who are also given characters, people who visited the Cranes on Castle Hill in the 1920s. You can spend YOUR summer (and beyond) surrounded by the grandeur of one of the only intact country estates in Massachusetts, overlooking the ocean and Great Marsh. Be careful, this place is addictive! The Cultural Site Interpreter leads up to 4 hour-long tours a day. When not on tour, interpreters meet and interact with general visitors. They also have the opportunity to add interactive elements to tours they are not leading. Historical information is shared in a narrative style which engages the visitor, leaving them with the feeling that they can imagine what it was like to live this way. Interpreters are trained to give at least 4 differently themed tours, each exploring a different aspect of life on Castle Hill. Specialty tours are also available which include the gardens and grounds. Costumes are supplied by the Trustees. This is a limited-term, nonexempt position working 14-21 hours/week reporting directly to the Cultural Programs Coordinator.

Requirements

• Verbal communication skills
• Storytelling skills
• Comfortable around people of all types
• Able to work indoors and outdoors. There is limited air conditioning in the Great House; it can get quite warm mid-summer.
• Must be comfortable standing for a majority of working hours and comfortable with walking up and down multiple staircases.
• Interpreters must be able to carry a tray of “champagne” glasses.
• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.
• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Responsibilities

• Opening and closing of the museum rooms of the Great House
• Customer interaction throughout the day, whether on tour or casual
• Giving visitors the opportunity to become Trustees members
• Giving visitors advice and instructions for exploring the Castle Hill grounds

Benefits

• Sick Time: 40 hours of paid sick time upfront.
• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.
• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees