Historic Garden Interpreter [The Trustees of Reservations]

Stockbridge, MA

Do you enjoy working outside and basking in beautiful landscapes?

Are you an engaging storyteller with a passion for gardens?

Do you enjoy meeting and talking with people?

Are you open to learning new things and participating in a dynamic work environment?

If so, consider joining our dedicated and lively team of Cultural Site Interpreters as a Historic Garden Interpreter. Our interpreters bring the stories of our special places to life for our visitors in meaningful and relevant ways. We believe that by engaging and exciting our visitors they will feel more connected to our cultural heritage and be inspired to help preserve and protect it for future generations.

The Trustees is an organization with a fascinating past and an exciting future. Our places are open to all and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in what we do. Founded in 1891, by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts and work to protect special places across the state. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 25,000+ acres on more than 100 reservations that are all open to the public. We are a nonprofit conservation organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and more than 40,000 members.

Beginning in 2012, The Trustees of Reservations embarked on a series of ambitious projects to repair, restore, and update the gardens at Naumkeag designed by Fletcher Steele. The position of Garden Interpreter has been created to provide public interpretation of these preservation projects and engage the public with the history and ecology of the gardens throughout the 2015 season.

Our seasonal staff plays an integral role in ensuring that our visitors enjoy our extraordinary places. With the change to warmer temperatures, we experience an influx of visitors of all ages and backgrounds who want to explore and be inspired by our properties. Sandy beaches, wooded trails, cultural gardens, historic homes, community supported agriculture—there are many ways for visitors to discover and explore The Trustees, and just as many opportunities for seasonal employees to make each visitor’s experience special.

Position Summary:

Historic Garden Interpreters are responsible for providing public interpretation of ongoing garden preservation projects and for engaging the public in the history and ecology of the gardens at Naumkeag. The Historic Garden Interpreter at Naumkeag reports on a daily basis to the Lead Interpreter, and closely collaborates on interpretation and programs with the Engagement Manager. This is a part-time, seasonal position, May through October. Daytime and weekend hours are required.

Essential Functions:

Historic Garden Interpreters are responsible for:

• Providing garden tours and public programs to the public with a focus on interpreting the recently completed and ongoing restoration projects of the gardens which Mabel Choate and Fletcher Steele created during the first half of the 20th century.
• Leading and facilitating interpretive experiences for visitors of all ages, including interactive guided garden tours and other participatory activities
• Creating and implementing new interpretive programs or events for visitors to the gardens
• Welcoming and orienting visitors, acting as an ambassador for the site and The Trustees of Reservations, providing excellent customer service and promoting membership
• Staffing and setup of on-site programs and events including, but not limited to, workshops, performances and lectures
• Participating in regular trainings and team meetings that provide professional skill development, inform staff of interpretive philosophies and techniques that improve visitor experiences at each site, and update staff on current developments at The Trustees of Reservations
• Participating in guided research and ongoing study of the history and cultural context of the site
• Participating in peer and supervisor evaluations
• Promoting the mission of The Trustees of Reservations and our work; encouraging guests to join us as members in preserving special places across the state of Massachusetts
• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation.
• Following best practices in collections care and security, in order to protect the collections, gardens and the house

• have 1-3 years experience with a teaching, museum, customer service, and/or theater background
• possess a degree in history, horticulture, education or a related field (preferred, but not required)

Skills:

• are friendly, active listeners with excellent conversational and public speaking skills
• enjoy engaging visitors through multi-sensory interpretive techniques including storytelling, hands-on activities, and interactive discussion
• are intellectually curious and open to learning and sharing new things
• are professional and team-oriented
• are respectful of all visitors and able to provide exceptional customer service
• are flexible and willing to meet the needs and interests of visitors
• are self-reflective and eager to continuously improve job skills
• are reliable and committed to the position, the site team, and the mission of The Trustees of Reservations

Other:

• are able to regularly work on weekends
• are able to stand and walk for long periods of time, climb steep inclines and multiple flights of stairs, and work outdoors in inclement, hot, and cold weather.

The Trustees offers competitive salaries and the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team across the Commonwealth who love the outdoors, who love the distinctive charms of New England, and who believe in celebrating and protecting our special places, for everyone, forever.

Click here to see all job opportunities at The Trustees of Reservations

No phone calls please.

In addition to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, The Trustees of Reservations aim to create a thriving, inclusive workplace that values each member of our team.  We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts who are at the core of our mission.