Summer Student

**Position Title**: Cultural Interpreter
**Area of Specialty**: Visitor Services

**Immediate Supervisor**: Manager
- The Student will be part of a youth team that provides guide services and enhanced interpretation to the visiting public. The student will engage visitors with the story of our region dating back to the pre-contact history of the Mi’kmaq and the various cultural groups who have later come to this area. Various interpretive displays in the Gardens Interpretive Centre as well as our on site reproduction of a circa 1671 Acadian dwelling will create a learning atmosphere for conversations as will the heritage landscape of the site.
- The student will also engage with visitors about the 40+ year history of the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens as an important community development initiative, it’s growth over the decades and the positive benefits to the community and to Nova Scotia.
- Our goal is to provide an enhanced educational experience to Gardens visitors and teach them more about the rich heritage of the area, all the while creating a memorable visitor experience. To this end, the student will also interact with Café staff to develop and deliver culturally relevant tastes to add another dimension to the visitor experience.
- As well as answering questions and providing information, the student will conduct visitor surveys to help inform the quality of our visitor experience for future planning.
- The student will assist staff and volunteers in further research on the various uses of these lands over the centuries, with a goal of improving the heritage experience at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. One of the key areas of study currently is the use of these lands as an encampment area by the Mi’kmaq as they travelled the Allain’s River. The student will conduct focused mini-tours based on various cultural aspects of the site. Pilot versions of these short informative tours have proven to be popular with visitors so we will continue to build this experience.
- The Student will assist in promotion of the enhanced educational experiences to visitors, and potential visitors, via social media, website and community outreach.
- The student will assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment for enhanced visitor safety within the Historic Gardens. It is a team effort.
- The student will be expected to research and learn the history of our community through provided materials and under the guidance of our senior heritage staff.
- Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent resident status are not eligible);
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);
- Must be between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and
- Must have been a high school, college, CEGEP or university student.

**Qualifications**:

- The Historic Gardens always encourage the participation of targeted job equity groups in our programmes and employment opportunities.

**General Expectations on the Job**:

- must interact well with co-workers
- practice proper and safe use of tools and equipment
- positive interaction with visitors and responding to their inquiries
- able to work independently with mínimal supervision
- be vigilant about all safety protocols

**Skills Required (prerequisite)**:

- good general knowledge of the Gardens and excellent knowledge on the area
- acceptable level of gardening and tourism knowledge and/or experience
- proper and safe use of tools, equipment and cleaners as directed
- physically able and willing to do physical work

**Working Conditions**:

- able and willing to work in a variety of conditions (inclement weather, distractions)
- able and willing to do shift work (weekends and evenings as required)
- ability to react to new situations and emergencies

**Hours of Work**:

- Work Term: 12 weeks
- Hours: 35 hours per week. Half hour unpaid lunch.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Seasonal
Contract length: 12 weeks

Pay: $16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

Additional pay:

- Tips

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- On-site parking

Flexible language requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- Holidays
- Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

- Please tell us why you would like to join our team at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.
- This is a funded student position with certain requirements. Are you currently a full time student?
- This is a funded student position with certain requirements. Are you at least 16 years old?

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2025-06-08