Collections Assistant

Sharon Museum and Gardens (formerly the Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum) is an open-air museum dedicated to telling the story of the Children of Peace, the Sharon Temple, and the history of the community of East Gwillimbury. First established in 1918 as the Sharon Temple Museum, it is one of the oldest museums in Canada. The Museum is home to nine heritage buildings, including the Sharon Temple National Historic Site, as well as a diverse landscape of vegetable and flower gardens. The museum site is located in the heart of East Gwillimbury on 7 acres and is the cultural hub of the community, welcoming over 18,000 visitors each year. It is owned and operated by the Sharon Temple Museum Society (STMS).

Position Overview:

Sharon Museum and Gardens is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Collections Assistant to join our team. The ideal candidate will be a current full-time student seeking hands-on, professional experience in museums and heritage and will have an interest in museums, public history, research, event and exhibition planning, collections management, and/or archives.

This position is a full-time temporary contract, working 35 hours per week for a total of 16 weeks, ideally beginning May 6th, 2026. However, the start date is flexible and can be adjusted.

The Collections Assistant will support collections management, interpretation, public programming, and special events, while leading an exhibition planning project under the supervision and with the assistance of the Programming & Collections Manager.

Primary Job Functions:

• Curate a small exhibition from concept through development to implementation based on an individual research project to be displayed offsite in a community partner's display case in August and September. This will consist of researching an object or theme in the collection, writing panels and labels, choosing artifacts, and installing the exhibit.
• Conduct in-depth historical research on the Museum's collection and heritage buildings.
• Develop a comprehensive exhibition plan containing themes, narratives, layout, an artifact list, and interpretive text.
• Assist the Programming & Collections Manager with the development of interpretive content, digital storytelling, and visitor engagement strategies for the Log Cabin heritage building and an augmented reality project.
• Complete training on the Museum's PastPerfect collections management software, digitization tools, archival storage materials, as well as interpretive, tourism, and health and safety training.
• Accession, catalogue, and digitize archival material, photographs, and artifacts from the collection into the Museum's PastPerfect collections management database.
• Handle and care for artifacts and other historical material, rehouse them, and construct new storage solutions and mounts, as needed.
• Support the planning and implementation of a roster of seasonal community events as well as special events such as weddings, concerts, and markets.
• Provide daily site tours as required for individual visitors and groups based on their specific interests through the Museum's nine heritage buildings.
• Support the planning and delivery of educational and public programming to a variety of children and youth groups, such as elementary students, Scouts, Girl Guides, and more.
• Conduct basic preventative conservation, pest management, and maintenance under the supervision of the Programming & Collections Manager.

General Duties:

• Assist with front of house services, which include welcoming visitors, answering phone calls, processing admissions, and completing gift shop sales where necessary in the Museum's Gate House Giftshop.
• Support summer camp staff with the implementation of historical educational programming for children.
• Conduct daily and weekly preventative maintenance checks on heritage buildings.
• Plan and implement on-site events, weddings, and rental preparation.
• Provide support as needed to other staff members.
• Other tasks as required.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled and returning to full-time post-secondary studies in Museum Studies, Conservation, History, Art History, Anthropology, Canadian Studies, Archaeology, or a related field.
• Have an interest in the career fields of Museums, History, Data Management, Conservation, and/or Library and Information Studies.
• Aged 16-30 years old and registered in the Young Canada Works (YCW) candidate inventory, accessible on the YCW website as per the Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations (YCW-HO) program guidelines.
• Previous experience working with the public in a structured setting, in a paid and/or volunteer capacity.
• Previous experience in museum work, collections management, and event planning is an asset.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication with a high level of attention to detail.
• The ability to work well independently on specific tasks and collaborate with colleagues.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of PastPerfect or other collections management software is an asset.
• Licensed G2 or G Class driver with daily access to their own vehicle is an asset.
• Must possess or be willing to train in Standard First Aid and CPR.
• Must possess or be willing to obtain a successful Vulnerable Sector screening.
• Be prepared to work a variety of shifts, including weekends and evenings.

Students must meet eligibility criteria for Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations (YCW-HO). Please consult the Young Canada Works website for eligibility criteria. Individuals may be eligible if they:

• Are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible);
• Are legally entitled to work in Canada;
• Are between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment;
• Are currently enrolled and returning to post-secondary studies;
• Are registered in the YCW online candidate inventory;
• Are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment;
• Will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with the program;
• Are unemployed or underemployed;
• Are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with the program; and
• Have not previously participated in or been paid under this or any other Career Focus internship program funded under the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy.

Physical Requirements:

Sharon Museum and Gardens is an open-air museum located north of Toronto on 7 acres of land. As this is a large site with multiple heritage buildings, the candidate will be required to move between these buildings and around the site as needed to conduct various activities. The ability to lift 30 pounds is required.

Application Process:

Please submit a cover letter and a resume/CV to

Subject line: Collections Assistant Application – [Name].

Deadline for applications: March 20th, 2026

This position is dependent on receiving funding through Young Canada Works. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position; however, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Sharon Museum & Gardens is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. We always encourage the Government of Canada's job equity groups to apply. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract, Seasonal

Contract length: 16 weeks

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Work Location: In person