Student, Teacher/Interpreter (Museums)

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we focus on equity, inclusion, and sustainability. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core values emphasize caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

Dish with One Spoon Wampum:
Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

Recognizing our shared humanity and land
Taking only what we need
Leaving some for others
Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core values, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.
Duties/Responsibilities

Facilitates visitors’ experience and enjoyment by interpreting the Region of Waterloo Museums exhibits and artifacts and answering visitors’ inquiries. Museum/sites include Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, Doon Heritage Village, Schneider Haus, and McDougall Cottage.
Assists in the preparation of materials for programs.
Wears historical costume and/or uniform.
Presents/delivers a variety of programs and related activities to the public, including school children, summer camps, special interest groups, seniors, and pre-school aged children.
Leads demonstrations, activities, crafts, and curriculum-related education programs to museum audiences, including historical craft, trade, agriculture, and domestic activities associated with museum exhibits.
Provides basic housekeeping, gardening, security and conservation duties (e.g., dusting furniture, cleaning artifacts, planting, weeding, harvesting).
Based on assignment/location, performs work in a museum gallery or historic site, including outdoors. Takes steps to mitigate risks associated with site/assignment, including working in/around weather, temperature variations in historic buildings, heat/smoke when working around a stove/open hearth, and noise if working in the blacksmith shop. Lifts carries supplies weighing up to 25 lbs.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must be currently enrolled in a university or college program.
Knowledge and experience in delivering public programs, educational programs, demonstrations and special events to varied audiences (ages, interests).
Ability and willingness to learn local history and early historic crafts skills.
Communication and presentation skills to interact with the public; deliver programs and demonstrations; and participate as an effective team member.
Ability to read resources, training/ education manuals and other reference material.
Ability to work weekends, some statutory holidays, and occasional evenings.
Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
To be considered for employment as a student, a person must be: registered as a full-time secondary or post-secondary student in an accredited institution, or currently recognized as having full-time status by the academic institution but applying for a school vacation, practicum or work term, or returning to full-time studies in the next academic term. Students who are in their final year of academic study and who are not intending to return to full-time studies are eligible for student employment up until the time they convocate. Students participating in education and retraining programs at the post- secondary level, though not full-time students, are eligible for related student employment opportunities, where appropriate.
The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. The Region of Waterloo invites applications from all qualified individuals. We are strongly committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourage applications from Black, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number (51+) 575-4400, TTY number (51+-575-4608) to request an alternate format. Read more