Colonial Michilimackinac – Blacksmith InterpreterDepartment: Museum Programs
Locations: Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City
Start/End Date: Early May through early October
Pay Rate: Starting at $14/hr
Scope of Duties:
This position serves visitors to Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP) by working as a historic blacksmith interpreter at Colonial Michilimackinac, a reconstructed 18th century fortified fur trading center in Mackinaw City, Michigan. This full-time seasonal position is responsible for interpreting the role of blacksmiths at Michilimackinac during the 18th century.
Responsibilities: Put visitors to Michilimackinac and other MSHP sites first by treating them with respect, serving their needs, and providing an enjoyable and educational experience.Using a charcoal forge and other period-appropriate tools, demonstrate late 18th century blacksmithing skills to park visitors.Interpret the history of the shop building, the people involved with the shop, and the role of blacksmiths in the Michilimackinac community.Through demonstrations and interpretation, produce items for use in park displays and interpretative programs, and for sale in the MSHP museum stores.Participate in other regularly scheduled interpretive presentations and special events as required.Position Requirements: Must have an interest in historical interpretation, 18th century blacksmithing techniques and material culture, and metalworking.Must be outgoing, enthusiastic, self-motivated, and have strong public speaking skills.Experience with the demonstration and interpretation of historic blacksmithing techniques is strongly preferred.Must be able to work assigned position length. Position works 23 weeks, from early May through mid-October.Work Location and Schedule:
This is a full-time seasonal position, which typically works 40 hours per week for 23 weeks from early May through mid-October. The workstation for this position is Colonial Michilimackinac, although the employee may be required to work at other MSHP park sites. The position is based indoors in the reconstructed blacksmith shop inside Colonial Michilimackinac. Work schedules are posted in advance and are subject to change depending on park operational needs. The employee may be asked to work evenings, holidays, and/or weekends as park needs dictate.
Physical Requirements:
Stretching and bending are moves commonly made throughout the day by employees in this position. The employee must have the ability to do the following activities, with or without reasonable accommodation: frequent lifting, carrying, transporting, loading and unloading of up to 35 pounds, walking long distances and up steep inclines in all weather conditions, frequent twisting, bending, stooping, reaching and grasping, sitting and/or standing for long periods of time, and the ability to utilize ferry boat transportation to and from Mackinac Island. The employee will be required to wear a historic costume at all times while working indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions. This position will be exposed to extreme heat conditions within the blacksmith shop and must be able to work in this environment.
Dress Code:
The park maintains a dress code for employees in the public service to promote a productive and safe work environment and to maintain MSHP's public image. This means no inappropriate hairstyles, jewelry, clothing or fashion statements are allowed. Employees are required to be in approved park costume at all times while on duty, which includes the wearing of proper footwear. The park will furnish the employee with the required costume items which must be returned at the end of seasonal employment. Violation of the dress code may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
Supervision:
The employee works under the direction of the Curator of Interpretation and Chief Curator.
General Position Information:
This is a temporary seasonal at-will position which serves at the will of the employer and does not include recall rights or benefits (other than those mandated by governmental laws). This position will expire at the time employment is ended for the season and the employee does not have recall rights to this or any other MSHP position in the future. The number of weeks and hours worked may vary as park needs dictate. Additional information will be provided upon employment.
Due to the high volume of applications, only those applicants invited to interview will be contacted.
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