| Company Name: | Chippewa Nature Center |
| Phone: | 989.631.0830 |
| Email: | info@chippewanaturecenter.org |
| Address 1: | 400 S Badour Rd |
| Address 2: | |
| City: | Midland |
| State: | MI |
| Zip: | 48640 |
| Position Title: | Historical Interpreter |
| Number of Openings: | 1 |
| Position Type: | Other |
| Position Type Other Description: | Education |
| Start Date: | 01/03/2020 |
| Duties: | Make the past come alive for visitors young and old as you help them feel the weight of a lumberman’s
ax in the woods, enjoy the smell of maple syrup at a festival, or hear the splash of water as they paddle
the river in a Voyageur Canoe.
Job Summary: Join a staff of creative, energetic professionals who work together to connect all people
with nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. CNC is in search of a
Historical Interpreter with a passion for sharing the past in a relevant, engaging way with children and
adults. CNC’s historical resources include an 1870s homestead farm complete with a log cabin, root
cellar, timber frame barn, one-room schoolhouse, maple sugarhouse, wigwam and a wide variety of
historical and reproduction items highlighting Native American natural resource use, the Great Lakes
fur trade, Michigan lumbering and early farming. These features are shared through public programs,
school programs, outreach presentations, self-guided experiences and festivals.
Objective: To develop and implement historical programs that connect visitors to the regions’ natural
resources and the people who have lived and worked here in the past.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Interpret the cultural and natural history of the Saginaw Valley, including Chippewa Nature
Center, through programs (adult and youth), workshops, festivals, interpretive writing and field
trips.
2. Assist with the development and maintenance of a wide variety of historical resources including
exhibits and the collection of historic and reproduction items.
3. Be the primary interpreter for the Homestead Sundays from June through August and assist with
the recruitment, training and scheduling of summer homestead staff and volunteers.
4. Assist with or lead other weekend or evening programs throughout the year.
5. Be an engaged member of the CNC team.
6. Assist with naturalist station duties.
7. Other duties as assigned. |
| Experience Required: | Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in public history, interpretation, environmental history, or related field with
working knowledge of the cultural history of the region and its relationship to natural resources
• Experience in the field of historical interpretation involving public programming
• Passion for interacting with and serving all ages and audiences
• Demonstrated ability to write and speak effectively
• Certification in CPR and basic first aid (or ability to become certified)
• Valid driver’s license
• Physically able to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to work varied hours, including some weekends, evenings and holidays
Prefered Qualifications
• 3 or more years of experience in the field of historical interpretation
• Proficiency in traditional and/or outdoor recreation skills related to environmental or historical
interpretation (kayaking, snowshoeing, farming, hide tanning, soap making, bee keeping, etc.)
• Knowledge of local natural resources (ecology, identification of birds, plants, etc.)
• Basic collections management skills
Status: Full time non-exempt, permanent
Schedule: Monday-Friday with occasional weekend and evening hours. June through August the
schedule will shift to Sunday-Thursday.
Start Date: January 3, 2019
Salary & Benefits: Salary based on experience and education, health insurance, 403(b) contribution,
CNC membership, 20% discount in Nature Center Store |
| Wage or Salary: | |
| Per Hour |
| Approximate Work Hours or Days: | 40 |
| Hours |
| How to apply: | Send cover letter and resume to Jenn Kirts, Director of Programs at
jkirts@chippewanaturecenter.org or 400 S Badour Rd, Midland, MI 48640 |
| Posting End Date: | 11/06/2019 |