Seasonal Historic Fiber Arts Interpreter at Genesee Country Museum

Town of Wheatland, New York, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

11 Jun, 26

Salary

16.5

Posted On

13 Mar, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Interpretive Programming, Customer Service, Historical Interpretation, Public Facing, Hands-on Activities, Demonstrating Historical Tasks, Teaching Techniques, Educational Programming, Fiber Arts Programming, Spinning, Weaving, Dyeing, Needlecraft, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Team Member

Industry

Description

Reports to: Manager of Foodways & Village Life Direct Reports: N/A Hours/Schedule: Part-time positions available Wednesday through Sunday from May to October. Holiday and educational programming hours are available from October to April. Shifts run from 9:30AM-4:00PM, with some exceptions. Weekends are regularly required. About Us: Genesee Country Village & Museum is the largest living history museum in New York and the third largest in the country. The Museum opened in 1976 and includes 68 buildings in Historic Village, the Genesee Country Nature Center with 5 miles of trails, and the John L. Wehle Gallery collection of wildlife and sporting art (700 pieces) and 19th-century clothing (4,000 pieces). Overview of Position: GCV&M is seeking applicants to join our historical interpretation staff for the 2026 season. This position exists to engage, educate, and entertain visitors through interpretive programming, to provide customer service, and to assist in the daily operations of GCV&M. Interpreters are historically costumed, public-facing employees who connect guests to the past by engaging guests in hands-on activities, demonstrating historical tasks and trades, and other related activities. Responsibilities (included but not limited to): * Conduct interpretive programs for diverse audiences at GCV&M using various interpretive and teaching techniques. * Conduct educational and field trip programs that appropriately engage students of all ages. * Conduct historic fiber arts programming including daily demonstrations, workshops including but not limited to spinning, weaving, dying, needlecraft and other fiber arts interpretative programming * Assist in the daily operations of the Village and its programs. * Study site-related material to enhance the delivery of the site’s interpretive program. * Utilize skill sets to effectively engage visitors and complete assigned daily activities. * Support the maintenance and protection of Village buildings, grounds, animals, collections, and clothing. Minimum Qualifications: * High School diploma or equivalent. * Experience working with children and/or adults in an educational environment. * Interest and experience with history, historic trades, agriculture, cooking, gardening, or fiber arts. * Passion for American History. * Strong interpersonal and communication skills. * Demonstrated ability and tenacity to provide consistent, quality customer service. * Demonstrated ability to work as a team member. * Proven experience providing personal customer service, historical interpretation and/or conducting academically-sound historical research. Working Conditions: * Historic Village interpreters are required to dress in museum-issued historic clothing in all weather conditions. * Ability to stand for extended periods of time; ability to walk up to three (3) miles in a day in all types of weather. * Ability to perform physical work, including (but not limited to): kneeling, bending, crouching, pulling, pushing. * Ability to climb stairs and carry objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds. * Staff will work near open fire, with sharp tools, in close proximity to farm animals, and in a variety of outdoor conditions. Pay Range: $16.00-$16.50 per hour Benefits: We are proud to support the health and wellbeing of the people we employ. We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package that includes accrued NYS Sick Leave and an employee assistance program. Every employee is provided with a yearly family level membership to GCV&M. How to Apply: To be considered, all applicants must submit a resume through our website, gcv.org/employment. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Genesee Country Village & Museum is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees, applicants, and interns for employment. We recruit, hire, train, and promote without discrimination due to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, citizenship, national origin, military or veteran status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Diversity Statement: Genesee Country Village & Museum is actively committed to broadening our understanding of DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion), and making it part of everything that we do. Guided by our mission, values, and inclusive culture of curiosity, we strive to dismantle inequity and address erasure through ongoing dynamic interpretation, communications, research, and outreach. We celebrate the stories of our shared past; connect the rich diversity of the 19th century to the present; and collaborate with the communities we serve to create welcoming spaces for learning, work, exploration, and play. Genesee Country Village & Museum is actively committed to expanding our interpretation and exhibits to include voices and perspectives frequently underrepresented in museum collections, the telling of history, and outdoor spaces. Guided by our mission, values, and inclusive culture of curiosity, we strive to ensure that all visitors, volunteers, and employees feel safe, welcomed, and celebrated throughout their museum experiences.

Responsibilities

This role involves engaging, educating, and entertaining visitors through historical interpretation, including hands-on activities and demonstrations, while also assisting with the daily operations of the museum village. Key duties include conducting interpretive programs and specific historic fiber arts demonstrations like spinning, weaving, and dyeing.