Historic Interpretation Internship (undergraduate)

Classification:                  Associate, non-exempt, seasonal

Department:                    Programming 

Reports to:                       Co-Director of Programming

Wage:                                $10.00 per hour

  

The historic interpreter intern assists Living History Farms in achieving its mission: to educate and connect all people to the many stories of Midwestern rural life heritage.

 

You will interact with the museum’s guests, explaining through demonstrations, the history and trends in agriculture and rural life in the Midwest. This person will be working outdoors a majority of the time, while wearing clothing issued by Living History Farms that reflects the clothing of the time period.  The intern will work at 2-3 of the different historic areas at Living History Farms. 

 

Upon successful completion of the internship requirements, the student will earn up to a maximum of 6 hours of college credit through Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa. Non-Graceland students must transfer credits to their home university and are responsible for any fees associated with this. 

 

Specific Duties:               

·        Greet and interact with museum guests in an open, friendly manner.

·        Interpret historic events and facts for museum guests of all ages. Communicate information with cultural awareness and sensitivity, creating a safe learning space for all ages. Direct guests’ curiosity and interests to provoke thoughtful consideration of other cultures and experiences.

·        Engagingly demonstrate and interpret daily historic activities (may include food preparation and food preservation, gardening with hand tools, crafts or sewing, use of period machinery, etc.) for school tours, day camp groups, adult tour groups and the general visitor.

·        Actively encourage general visitors, especially children, to participate in interactive activities, including scheduled hands-on activities, as appropriate.

·        Perform appropriate work, indoors and outdoors, in a variety of conditions consistent with the historical time period and the interpretive activity, and within the variations of Iowa’s climate.

·        Read assigned materials, complete assigned papers and projects, and attend academic seminars, in order to successfully complete all requirements for earning academic credit.

·        Maintain a professional demeanor at all times, especially when interacting with the public, but also including during training sessions and with other staff.

·        Complete required number of interpretation hours (360 hours). Any time missed will need to be made up in order to successfully complete the program.

·        Other duties as assigned.

 

Supervisory responsibility:                        None

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Consistent attendance is an essential function of the position. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 

EDUCATION and SKILLS:               

· High school diploma or GED required. Classified as a sophomore or higher at your college or university in a related field.

· Enjoy working with the general public, and people of all ages, especially children

· Possess excellent communication (verbal and written) skills

· Display a willingness to learn, and a “can do” mentality

· Approach situations with creative, analytical and problem-solving skills

· Demonstrate exceptional customer service skills

· Enjoy working in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented workplace

· Demonstrate an ability to work independently, following through on tasks to completion

· Be comfortable working outdoors, sometimes in adverse conditions such as heat, rain, etc. (Most buildings are not climate-controlled)

· Be able to perform physical tasks (lift 50 lbs.) with physical mobility

· Have experience with computer programs, such as the Microsoft Office package

· Successfully pass a criminal background check

 

Position Hours:                               Multiple internship positions are available.

·        12 weeks from May 19 – August 13, 2022. Start and end dates might be negotiable, depending on individual situation.

·        Averages 30-40 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday. Workday is generally 8:45 – 4:15.

·        Completing the internship successfully requires meeting the minimum number of hours. Number of credit hours earned will be impacted if time is missed and not made up.

 

Living History Farms is an interactive outdoor museum which educates and connects all people to the many stories of Midwestern rural heritage. It is a private, not-for-profit organization on 500 acres located in Urbandale, Iowa. Historical interpreters recreate the daily routines of early Iowans on three farm sites spanning the years 1700-1900 and an 1876 town. The season typically runs approximately May 1 – October. For more information, please visit https://www.lhf.org/.   

 

Living History Farms is among the elite three percent of national museums accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community. 

 

Complete the official on-line intern application at https://www.lhf.org/employment/.  You will need to upload a cover letter and resume, as well as provide contact information (email & phone) for 3 references.

 

Questions: Daniel Jones, Program Co-Director; e-mail: education@lhf.org

Ruth Haus, President;   Email: rhaus@lhf.org

Mail: Living History Farms; 2600 – 111th Street; Urbandale, IA 50322

 

Deadline to apply:        Open until filled.