Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) is seeking a full-time interpreter to work and study under the leadership of OSV’s household program. As a living history site dedicated to the history of early 19th century rural New England, a major component of OSV’s mission is its commitment to demonstrating New England’s households. This position will serve as frontline staff as a member of the Households program. This role contributes daily interpretation of various trades and skills, including but not limited to: historical foodways, domestic crafts, needle arts, textile production, and domestic management. This role will contribute to Old Sturbridge Village’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village. Old Sturbridge Village, a museum and learning resource of New England life, invites each visitor to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration through the exploration of history.

Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff and OSV community members. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.

Essential Duties:

• Maintain safety, good order, and cleanliness of all workspace spaces, share responsibility with all staff for the clean and neat appearance of the entire museum
• Understand, identify and appropriately respond to the multiple learning styles of a diverse audience that includes students, families, and other life-long learners. Actively engage these audiences using a range of interpretation techniques including hands-on, participation, tours, immersion, demonstration, recreation, orientation, role-playing, performance, lecture and other techniques.
• Work closely with and mentor participants in Village educational programs, including Old Sturbridge Academy, Discovery Adventures, Jr. Interns, College Interns, and Fellows
• Work towards mastery of the information and skills necessary to teach specific aspects of the museum to visitors.
• Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
• The full-time benefited position requires five days per week unrestricted availability with weekend & holiday work
• Available to work evening programs such as Phantoms by Firelight, Christmas by Candlelight, Illuminations, or other evening shifts as needed
• Participate in special event programs and other special activities; work with Marketing to promote all museum activities. Where appropriate, take a major role in special programs requiring specialized skills in teaching, facilitation, interpretation, or performance
• Participate in various projects or tasks assigned by directors, and coordinators
• Safeguard visitors and staff by being alert to foreseeable health and safety hazards
• Understand and observe all Village policies

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience OR 2 years college or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups.
• One year experience working with the public in a museum, educational institution or historical society
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Willingness to learn & work around large animals within our Dairy Program

Skills & Abilities:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Individuals in this position are subject to a Criminal Conviction Record check upon hire and every other year thereafter.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear. The employee may frequently be required to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or team lift up to 75 pounds.

Old Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or membership in the uniformed services.

Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at jobs@osv.org

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Every weekend

Ability to Relocate:

• Sturbridge, MA 01566: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person