Village Interpreter

Basic Function:

To serve visitors of Midway Village Museum by leading various village and museum programs, tours, hands-on activities, outreach programs, and events. Hours are varied based on need, mostly during April-October for school groups and daily visitors. Weekends availability is required. Flexible with school and other jobs.

Responsibilities:

• Provide enjoyable and accurate educational experiences with hands-on demonstrations and traditional guided tours
• Accurately present guided tour to various ages
• Prepare program supplies and inform Museum Educator when supplies are needed
• Assist with building upkeep, including but not limited to: dusting, sweeping, vacuuming
• All other duties as assigned

Position Requirements:

• Must be 17 years of age or older
• Must have an interest in historical interpretation and demonstration
• Demonstrate a general knowledge of American social history in general, with preferred knowledge of Northern Illinois and Rockford region
• Demonstrated public speaking skills
• Reliable transportation

Physical Requirements:

The ideal candidate must have the ability to do the following activities: frequent lifting, carrying, loading, and unloading of up to 40 lbs., walking long distances, standing for long periods of time, and frequent twisting, bending, stooping, reaching, grasping, and pulling.

Dress Code:

This position requires the employee to always wear an historic costume while working both indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions. All historic costumes, hairstyles, jewelry, and footwear must be appropriate looking to the period being represented during programs, tours, and events. Most or all costume pieces are provided by the museum.

Supervisor:

This employee works under the direction of the Museum Educator.