Museum Associate - Part-time position

WESTERN DEVELOPMENT MUSEUM - MOOSE JAW

Museum Associate - Part-time position

General Description

The Museum Associate primarily supports the planning and delivery of programs and events at the WDM Moose Jaw. The position also provides scheduled Visitor Services coverage. Working cooperatively with staff and volunteers, the Museum Associate helps create welcoming, engaging experiences for diverse audiences and undertakes special projects assigned by the Programs and Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Key Responsibilities

• Supports the planning and delivery of programs and events, including preparation, setup, participant supervision, activity assistance, demonstrations, registration and evaluation.
• Provides Visitor Services coverage on Mondays and every other Tuesday afternoon, as well as additional coverage when required.
• Welcomes and orients visitors and provides information about the Museum, local attractions and volunteer opportunities.
• Processes admissions, gift shop sales and memberships and actively promotes WDM memberships.
• Supports seasonal attractions, including Short Line 101, and assists with exhibit-related projects such as photographing artifacts and setting up travelling exhibits.
• Assists with community engagement initiatives and helps foster relationships with local schools and educators.
• Supports volunteers involved in programs and events.
• Assists with program and event promotion through social media, bulletin boards and other communication channels.
• Completes administrative duties, including maintaining information in the online booking system.
• Completes opening and closing procedures for the Museum and gift shop as scheduled.
• Performs light cleaning in public areas and other duties required to support daily Museum operations.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 diploma or equivalent and one to two years of relevant experience in customer service and program development or delivery. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Experience teaching, facilitating recreation programming or working with visitors of different ages and abilities is an asset.
• Experience with point-of-sale systems, online booking systems or facility rentals is an asset.
• Safe Food Handling certification and First Aid/CPR certification are assets.
• An interest in Saskatchewan history, heritage and culture.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities.
• A welcoming, inclusive and professional approach in all interactions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft 365 applications is an asset.

Conditions

Salary range: $20.64-$23.93

Work schedule: This is a part-time position offering up to 20 hours per week, generally scheduled as four five-hour shifts from 12:15 to 5:15 pm, Monday through Thursday. Some Saturday and Sunday shifts are required. Occasional evening shifts and additional hours may also be required to support programs, school breaks, holidays, special events and other operational needs.

Working conditions: Work is primarily indoors and is moderately physical. It includes the use of cleaning products and occasionally lifting moderately heavy loads. Assistance is available when handling heavy loads.

Location: This position works on-site at the WDM Moose Jaw.

Screening: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a criminal record and vulnerable sector check.

We thank everyone who applies. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

The WDM welcomes applications from everyone, especially individuals who are underrepresented in the museum and heritage field.

Job Title

: Museum Associate – MJ

Position

Approved: May 28, 2025

Supervisor: Museum Operations Manager

Level: L2

Position Type: Casual

Position Mandate

The Museum Associate supports the planning and delivery of programs and events at the WDM Moose Jaw and alternate coverage for visitor services as required. Working cooperatively with staff and volunteers, the Museum Associate helps create welcoming, engaging experiences for diverse audiences and undertakes special projects and other duties as assigned by the Museum Manager and Programs and Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Representative Duties

Visitor Services

• Welcomes and orients guests to the Museum with an inclusive and professional approach to all interactions.
• Provides visitor services coverage when required and as scheduled.
• Actively promotes and processes memberships.
• Responds to inquiries in person, by email and phone. Provides information about the Museum, volunteer opportunities and local tourist information. Becomes familiar with all aspects of the WDM Moose Jaw.
• Light duty cleaning including the washrooms, gift shop and lobby.
• Processes admissions, memberships and giftshop sales. Actively promotes and sells WDM memberships. Records attendance as per established procedures.
• Stocks inventory in gift shop; assists with inventory management, year end inventory procedures.

Programs

• Supports the delivery of programming and events ranging from small programs to events with a large volume of particpants. This includes but is not limited to preparation and set-up, supervising participants, assisting with activities leading program components, demonstrations, program registration and evaluation.
• Assists with Short Line 101 ticket sales and rides during the operating season.
• Assists with Museum exhibits i.e. photographing artifacts, assisting with set-up of travelling exhibits.
• Contributes to the exploration of effective and creative ways to enhance visitation and engage the community.
• Assists with community engagement initiatives and helps foster relationships with local schools and educators.
• Assists with periodic evaluations of the Museum’s programs and events.
• Provides support to volunteers assigned to programs and events.

Administration

• Assists with communication and promotion of local programs and events. Supports social media initiatives.
• Prepares information for Museum bulletin boards
• Supports administrative tasks related to accurately maintainining and reporting information within the online booking system.
• Completes opening and closing procedures for the Museum and gift shop as scheduled.

Education And Experience

The position requires a Grade 12 or equivalent and a minimum 1 - 2 years of pertinent experience in customer service. Experience teaching or facilitating recreation programming and strong communications skilss is considered an asset. An equivalent or combination of education and experience will be considered. An aptitude for Saskatchewan history, heritage and culture is favorable. A valid Class 5 drivers license is required. Proficiency in computer applications, particularly in Microsoft Office Suite and Office 365 applications is required.

Accountabilities

• Programs and special events are delivered in alignment with defined objectives and a high standard of visitor experience, with participants, including educators and students, receiving effective, professional support and information and consistently providing positive feedback.
• Volunteers are supported and understand their roles and tasks during engagements.
• Guests and visitors are welcomed, receive a high standard of customer service and are oriented to the Museum.
• Gift shop tasks assigned are completed in a timely and accurate manor. It is clean, organized and aesthetically pleasing.
• Entries into the POS system and other applications are timely, accurate and appropriate.
• Willing to take direction from supervisors and they receive relevant and timely information.
• Established procedures are followed in all aspects of the position.
• Housekeeping tasks are completed and maintained to the established standard.
• Building security and visitor safety are maintained in the area of work performed.
• Staff receive the assistance they need to deliver services under tight timelines as requested.
• Positive and professional relationships and communications with internal and external contacts essential to performing the position’s duties are established and maintained.
• Staff, volunteer, visitor and public observations regarding the incumbent are positive and appreciative.
• Occupational health and safety requirements are maintained.
• The incumbent’s work areas are maintained in a professional and organized manner. Project work areas are always cleaned after usage.
• Policies, procedures, laws and regulations relevant to the position are followed.

Job Scope

Work is scheduled based on the needs of the Museum and is part-time in nature. Works independently to prioritize, plan and complete a range of assignments with competing deadlines. Undertakes a variety of routine duties, working with established policies, guidelines and procedures. Applies discretion when performing assigned tasks, within established standards. Shares confidential information appropriately. Interactions require professionalism and the ability to deal with a range of people and situations.

Effort

Participates in supporting the museum’s day-to-day operations and visitor experience. Experiences occasional high volumes of work, requiring the ability to balance multiple tasks, while remaining responsive to inquiries from both internal and external sources. Work is occasionally subject to deadlines and interruptions. Situations may require problem-solving using various approaches which may occasionally lead to moderate levels of stress.

Working Conditions

This position works on-site at the WDM Moose Jaw; the incumbent works primarily indoors and occasionally on museum grounds or off-site at outreach opportunities in the community. The work is moderately physical and includes the use of cleaning products. Occasionally lifts moderately heavy loads, and uses readily available assistance in the handling of heavy loads. Work may be fast-paced and is directed by the Operations Manager. Must be available to work weekends; some evening shifts may also be required.