| Job Title | Museum Educator Internship |
| Reports To | Director of Programs and Visitor Experience |
| Employment Dates | Seasonal, starting mid-May thru late August, 40 hours/week, flexible schedule with start and end dates based on candidate’s availability |
| Status | Non-Exempt |
| Rate of Compensation | $16/hour |
| Benefits | Sick time, flexible schedule, opportunity for partial work from home hours, and discounts in the museum store and on museum programs |
Job Purpose
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is looking for an intern in our Museum Educator position to engage with visitors focusing on regional history, ecology, and hands-on, interactive experiences. Our mission at the museum is to foster meaningful and unique connections between museum collections and critical issues of Lake Champlain and we are looking for passionate candidates looking to gain more experience in museums.
Funding from Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership will support a seasonal Museum Educator in 2023 who will create a regular schedule of weekly talks, tours, and demonstrations based on exhibits and Museum collections, including the 200th Anniversary of the canal system in Lake Champlain. This position will also be responsible for running interactive programming with members of the general public as well as summer camps and student groups. Our goal with the program is to engage with student and adult visitors in impactful and memorable ways and have them leave the Museum feeling like empowered stewards of Lake Champlain. Candidate should enjoy speaking with the public, in small or large groups, and have a passion for the inclusive, accessible learning for public communities!
At Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, we are committed to using our skills as historians, archaeologists, and educators to help make systemic change in our work and in the museum field. As part of this, we have spent the past two years working to remove barriers to access and pursuing new research projects that shine a light on untold stories of women and people of color in the Champlain Valley. Yet, we recognize that there is more work to do to create space, challenge bias, and dismantle systems that reinforce inequality. This position will play a critical role in engaging with our mission, highlighting untold history, and making sure our community always feels welcome during their visit. We are committed to improving our experience with the Museum for all people who work with us and connect with us and are looking for a candidate who is excited to join us in this important work.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Researching current and future exhibition content at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, including but not limited to the 200th year anniversary of the Champlain Canals, shipwrecks, Revolutionary War History, ecology, and sustainable recreation. Content focus will be tailored based on the content expertise of the Educator.
- Creating and designing interpretation tools and displays to be used in current exhibitions to expand and enhance the visitor experience.
- Developing training materials for volunteer interpreters, including written materials and talks.
- Interpreting current exhibitions with visitors on a regular basis and developing tours and talks for the public, including shipwreck tours on Lake Champlain with an ROV (remotely operated vehicles).
- Creating and leading lessons during summer camps for youth based on topics of fishing, underwater ecology and metal arts.
- Supporting opening and closing procedures of the Museum and collaborating with admissions staff, Visitor Experience staff, and onsite interpreters and volunteers.
Qualifications
- Interest and enthusiasm for engaging with the public and developing connections between exhibitions and the public.
- Experience or strong interest in working with history, ecology, and hands-on experiences.
- Ability to organize and prioritize tasks, including strong communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative team skills.
- A commitment to collaboration and an enthusiasm for Lake Champlain, its history, and its future.
Work Conditions
This position will include onsite, offsite, and on water work. Work outside will occur in all weather conditions.
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter to katharine@lcmm.org with the subject line “Museum Educator.” Applications will close on May 1, 2023
Equal Opportunity Employment: Lake Champlain Maritime Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. The Museum prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.