Museum Interpreter

Job title: Museum Interpreter

Reports to: Executive Director, Juanita Peters

Job location: 5795 Africville Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Wage: $19.50 / hour

Hours: 35 hours per week (15-week internship)

Start Date: Expected May 11, 2026

Number of Positions: 2

This position is designated and limited to applicants from the following groups:

• Black, African Canadian, or people of African Descent

Employment Hiring

Clean is committed to Employment Equity and our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative at all job levels. The Clean Leadership Program welcomes applications from qualified self-identifying First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, Racialized Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Newcomers, and 2SLGBTQIA+ applicants. If you are a member of one of the equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on our registration form.

About the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program

The Clean Leadership Summer Internship program helps grow the clean economy by matching interns (age 15-30) with employers for 9- and 15-week summer work placements. Participating interns will receive paid hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities, take part in a professional development conference and training, while supporting local environmental projects.

Program Requirements

• Must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, person who has been granted refugee status in Canada or legally entitled to work in Canada;
• Must be between the ages of 15 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the start of internship;
• From and/or will be residing in Nova Scotia for the duration of the internship;
• Must not be an immediate family member of host employer;

About the host employer

The Africville Museum is a world class heritage and visitor attraction centred on the history of a unique African Canadian experience and the impact of racism. It is internationally recognized as a place of remembrance, education, celebration and gathering that keeps the story and spirit of Africville alive. We are located at 5795 Africville Road in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Summary of position 

The host employer for this Summer Internship position through the Clean Leadership program will be The Africville Heritage Trust/Africville Museum. In this position, you will be mainly responsible for welcoming visitors to the museum, leading tours for groups, educating the public about Africville history and contemporary issues, and contributing to special programming. Interns will be responsible for admissions and merchandise sales as well as other administrative support. Additionally, interns will undertake a project supporting or relating to the Africville ecosystem and legacies of land and water in this place.

A typical day at the museum starts on site at 8am. The first 2 hours of the day before we open to the public are typically used to check in as a team, set the daily tasks, and complete any administrative work for the day. This time can be used by interns to research, work on their projects, and prepare for the day. The museum opens to the public at 10am and the remainder of the working day is spent interacting with museum visitors and running any programming that may be scheduled.

The successful candidate needs to have excellent communication skills or a desire to become a proficient public speaker. They should be skilled at multitasking and able to work independently with minimal supervision. A successful intern will be able to retain historic information and communicate this knowledge to visitors of all ages and experience. They should the willing to work special events and programming with flexibility outside of normal working hours on occasion. Interns must have a reliable method of transportation to and from work.

Duties and Responsibilities 

•  Greet and engage with museum visitors
• Interpret museum exhibit for individuals and groups
• Conduct guided tours (interior & exterior)
• Educate public on heritage & environment of Africville
• Assist in events, planning, and programming
• Facilitate museum and park usage
• Conduct research to advance environmental programming
• Perform sales and operate POS devices
• Assist in additional museum activities
• Collaborate with and support team members
• Other duties as required

Requirements/Qualifications

• Have an aptitude for safe work practices and the ability to multi-task in a busy work environment;
• Be able to work productively as part of a team while responding to feedback;
• Demonstrated interest in future employment in the environmental or clean sector is considered an asset;
• Familiarity with Africville or African Nova Scotian history considered an asset
• Basic technological literacy
• Reliable transportation to and from work (there is no Halifax Transit route, sidewalk, or bike path that goes directly to the museum)
• Confident in a leadership/public presentation role
• Basic knowledge of social and environmental factors and an understanding of their connection
• Adaptable and comfortable in a high-paced environment
• Able to work outdoors in varying weather and terrain
• Willingness to learn, listen, and teach

Working Conditions 

This position requires interns to work with the public.

Physical Requirements 

N/A