Salary: $15.74 Hourly
Location: Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Part-time, 29 hrs per week or less
Job Number: HistIntFN2023-1
Department: Parks and Recreation
Opening Date: 05/30/2023
Closing Date: Continuous

Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Metro Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.
 
Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work with us and work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Metro Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Metro Parks are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team.  On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

FORT NISQUALLY LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
Fort Nisqually is an AAM accredited living history museum where volunteers and staff, in period clothing, demonstrate the crafts of the 19th century and engage visitors in historic dialogue. This Hudson’s Bay Company trading post was the first non-Native settlement on Puget Sound Explore the award-winning restoration of the fort’s National Historic Landmark buildings. For more information, visit: https://www.metroparkstacoma.org/fort-nisqually-living-history-museum/
 
Position Information
Under the direction of the museum supervisor and leadership of the education and interpretation coordinator, this position is responsible for interpreting history information to the visiting public in a variety of settings at Fort Nisqually enabling the public to make a connection with the historic resources of the past. 

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

  • Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
  • Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
  • Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
  • Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
  • Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

Essential Duties

  • Interact with individuals and groups touring Fort Nisqually. 
  • Provide historical information and answer questions about the original site and inhabitants. 
  • Demonstrate appropriate 19th century skills and crafts.
  • Lead guided tours as part of the school tour program.
  • Work collaboratively with other staff members on special event days.
  • Open and close all historic buildings within the Fort.
  • Care for all museum exhibits, whether indoors or outdoors, including crops and/or livestock.
  • Continue to expand their knowledge of our history through independent reading and research.
  • Acquire one or more 19th century skills/crafts for the purpose of demonstrating this to the public.
  • Mentor and familiarize Fort volunteers with our history and operations.
  • Adhere to period clothing guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Education in the history, natural sciences, education or related field.
  • Experience working with children required.
  • Experience working in an education setting preferred.
  • Excellent communication and interpretation skills.   
  • Must have excellent communication and the ability to engage the public and be customer service oriented.
  • Desire to work with large groups of children and adults.
  • Customer service oriented.
  • Positive, cheerful and professional attitude.
  • Must be able to work outdoors, in a variety of weather conditions, and be able to stand for long periods.
  • Valid driver’s license with good driving record and reliable transportation.

HOURS: Up to 29 hours per weeks.  Hours may vary.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/metroparkstacoma/jobs/3993970/historical-interpreter-fort-nisqually-living-history-museum