Responsibilities
Reporting to the Manager, Public Programming or the Manager of Education Programs, the Program Interpreter will deliver of educational and public programs and activities to a wide range of audiences in order to provide engaging and meaningful visitor experiences and opportunities for learning, dialogue at reflection at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Educational and public programs include school programs, guided tours, in-gallery presentations, dialogue sessions, talks, presentations, performances and more. Audiences include Canadian and international visitors of varying ages, backgrounds, interests and abilities visiting on their own or in organized groups as well as others who wish to engage with the Museum from a distance. Programs take place primarily within the Museum but occasionally involve programming in other locations.
There are bilingual and unilingual (English) opportunities available, full-time and part-time.
1. Delivery of educational programs to a wide variety of audiences
· Develop a high level of knowledge and familiarity with the Museum’s content, an understanding of how various public audiences relate to it and strategies for delivering complex and sensitive content to multiple audiences
· Deliver education programs to school-aged children from grades K-12
· Deliver guided tours on a variety of themes to a wide variety of audiences
· Deliver various activities and events, including talks, demonstrations, workshops and hands-on interactions in the Museum to school groups and the general public
· Deliver targeted presentations and activities on specific topics for specialized audiences, partners and stakeholders
· Deliver talks and formal presentations to large groups in an auditorium setting
· Proactively engage with visitors and the public at large and help them discover the museum according to their interests
· Facilitate discussion and dialogue and employ appropriate techniques to de-escalate emotional situations
· Lead and deliver programs employing informal and formal learning pedagogy, dialogue techniques and approach, and other informal learning techniques and approach
· Help visitors navigate the Museum’s mobile and other media and to participate in online programming, such as video conferencing
· Provide feedback to management on the quality and effectiveness of programs based on feedback from the public and suggest program improvements and changes
2. Interpretive Program Support
· Provide logistical support for programs and activities whether they are in the classrooms, gallery spaces or other programming venues. This may include moving furniture, setting up equipment, preparing props and program materials.
· Support program administration
· Administer evaluation surveys and other visitor research activities such as tracking and timing visitor behaviour
· Draft weekly and monthly reports
· Support other Learning and Programming activities and events
· Participate in activities related to marketing and promotion of public programs
· Act as a Museum ambassador
3. Other Duties and Tasks as assigned
Qualifications
Requirements for this position are as follows:
Skills and Knowledge – Required
· University or college degree in an appropriate discipline (human rights, education, history, indigenous studies, indigenous governance, museum studies, or another area of specialty), or equivalency.
· Minimum one year of experience developing and delivering educational or public programs for a museum, school, historic site, or related public educational facility or attraction.
· Demonstrated experience in conceiving, planning, developing ,organizing and implementing public or educational programs
· Demonstrated experience in delivering public, cultural or educational programs to a variety of audiences and ages
· For bilingual positions: Ability to deliver programs in both English and French (language assessment will be part of selection process)
Skills and Knowledge – Desired
· Bachelor of Education and teaching experience in a classroom
· Three to five years of public or educational program development and delivery
· Experience working with children
· Knowledge of human rights subject matter
· Knowledge of Canadian history
• Experience evaluating public programs, creating reports, and providing recommendations
• Experience in arts and culture
Attributes
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Adaptability. Ability to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations, and with diverse individuals and groups
• Strong customer service aptitude. Provide service excellence to internal and/or external clients
• Judgement, sensitivity, tact and diplomacy in dealing with the public is essential in a politically sensitive and non-partisan environment
• Initiative. Dealing with new situations and issues proactively and persistently; seizing opportunities that arise
• Demonstrated superior communication skills: written and oral
• Ability to work independently and within a team. Working collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals. Coaches others and resolves conflicts
• Creativity and innovation. Generates viable new approaches and solutions
• Cultural sensitivity
• Works well under pressure, able to be hands on and apply flexible approach to working hours
• Strong commitment to institutional values and policies
• Strong administrative and organizational skills
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
· Work is in an open public environment, with office work.
· A considerable amount of standing and walking is required, or the ability to navigate independently throughout the Museum.
· Ability to lift and move program materials
· Required to wear a Canadian Museum for Human Rights issued uniform
· Requires working irregular hours (evenings and weekends) on a regular basis
· Some travel required
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest and a current resume through the museum’s Career page at www.museumforhumanrights.ca. The closing date is May 2, 2014.
The CMHR encourages diversity in all aspects of its operations. If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation in order to successfully submit an application, please contact us at info@museumforhumanrights.ca to make your accommodation request.
All applicants will receive a confirmation of the receipt of their application. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
