Description
Duties Description
Under the supervision of the Interpretive Programs Assistant, the Historic Site Interpreter will perform a range of administrative and historic site interpreter duties at Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site. Duties include but are not limited to:
Interpretive
- Greet, orient and educate walk-in visitors.
- Conduct tours of the grounds for the general public, school classes, tourists, and community groups.
- Plan lessons, lectures and programs for both outreach and on-site interpretation.
- Assist the site manager and/or lead in delivering outreach programs to schools and other community organizations, special events, and at the historic site.
- Support the interpretive programming of the Friends of the Bennington Battlefield as needed.
- Assist in developing and reviewing interpretive content to be shared through agency publications and on the site’s social media.
- Conduct research on the history of the battle and battle participants.
Administrative
- Assist with visitor services, answering phones, responding to public inquiries, and communicating effectively with staff and site visitors.
- Assist with attendance data collection, revenue handling, documentation and record keeping.
- Assist in the coordination of summer docents and volunteers as well as volunteer recruitment.
Additional
- Maintain and promote a safe working environment by applying appropriate safety practices.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
- Perform minor groundskeeping and housekeeping tasks as needed.
- Assist in the promotion of events, programs and the site in general.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
There are no minimum qualifications per Civil Service.
Preferred Qualifications
Additional Comments
- BA in history, anthropology or political science.
- Willingness to communicate as a history representative and inclusive of historically overlooked populations.
- Experience or willingness to deliver living history (costumed) interpretation.
- Experience conducting historical research and delivering interpretation to diverse audiences.
- Experience working or volunteering in a museum, heritage or cultural organization.
Operating Needs
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
- Must possess strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently as well as with others.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with other staff and park patrons in a responsible and courteous manner.
- Must possess proficiency in Microsoft Office and be comfortable learning proprietary state software to record attendance, revenue and other data.
- Ability to perform medium to heavy physical labor, including medium-heavy lifting and using step ladders.
- Incumbents are expected to climb stairs as part of their regular duties, stand for long periods of time, and be available for site (and sister-site) programming.
- Availability for some weekends and holidays as needed.
- Must complete mandatory yearly trainings.
Benefits
This position has the option to join the NYS Employee’s Retirement System and is eligible for health insurance, dental and vision coverage. There is opportunity for paid time off in the form of vacation, sick, personal and holiday leave after time & service requirements has been met.
