Title: Site Supervisor, Plimoth Grist Mill
Department: Colonial Interpretation (CID)
Reports to: Program Manager & Associate Director, CID
FLSA: Non-exempt; Full-time, Year-round
Supervises: Program staff of Plimoth Mill

 

SUMMARY
The position involves support and assistance for the Program Manager in the daily operations at
a busy historic site in downtown Plymouth that includes operating a 17
th
-century mill in a
recreated mill building, grinding grain to produce flour and meal and overseeing the
interpretation of the mill. It also involves assistance in planning, scheduling, and managing the
daily milling exhibit at the Mill. The Site Supervisor is expected to create a positive and
welcoming atmosphere at all times for Museum guests, staff and volunteers.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
 Assist the Program Manager in maintaining, operating, and overseeing interpretation of
the Plimoth Grist Mill.
 Consistently model the Museum’s customer service policies and philosophy.
 Work effectively in front of the public, doing both first person (costumed) and third
person (non-costumed) interpretation.
 Maintain an optimal environment, both in terms of safety and quality, at the Mill.
 Assist Program Manager with training in period milling methods and historically accurate
interpretation of the same.
 Work with Native and Colonial Foodways staff to ensure adequate supply of meal and
flour for the Foodways programs.
 With guidance from the Program Manager, assist in inspection, maintenance, and repair
of mill equipment and parts and ensure that the adjacent garden is well-maintained.
 With guidance from the Program Manager, train and supervise staff on safety procedures
and the proper operation of all mill equipment.
 Stock and store ground grains in a safe and healthy manner according to Health Dept.
regulations.
 With guidance from the Program Manager and the supervisor of the Mill Museum Shop,
ensure adequate supply of meal and flour for retail and wholesale.
 Present living history demonstrations on 17
th
-century milling to Museum guests including
to adult and youth groups.
 In accordance with Plimoth Plantation’s style of customer service, provide every guest
the best possible experience, service and information and ensure that their questions are
answered regarding the mill and related Plymouth Colony history.
 Ensure safety of other employees and him/herself.
 Periodically check the mill and outside areas for unsafe conditions and report anything
he/she cannot correct him/herself to his/her immediate supervisor.
 With guidance from the Program Manager, conduct research on milling, with a focus on
the 17
th
-century and New England, but also including earlier time periods, particularly in England, and later time periods in the U.S. Incorporate this information into interpretive
talks at the mill.
 Assist the Program Manager in maintaining accurate records on grains, flour sacks, flour
and meal, tools and other equipment and property of Plimoth Plantation.
 Work with the Museum’s Education staff to help organize, plan and implement activities
and mill-related workshops for students, teachers and other guests.
 Work with Marketing Dept. to help draft press releases concerning public programs and
events for the Museum’s annual calendar.
 Assist the Program Manager in developing and fostering a positive and professional
working relationship with the landlord (owner of the Mill building) and other tenants of
the building and adjacent properties, and with the local community.
MEASURES:
 Positive visitor comments;
 Consistent narration and interpretation of historical information delivered in a manner
that engages, educates and entertains Museum guests;
 Grain products are supplied and maintained in a way that ensures adequate stock in shops
for fulfilling onsite and online orders.
 Grain products are maintained in a way that consistently meets or exceeds health dept.
guidelines for food safety.
 Consistently maintains safe environment for guests and staff.
 Delivers engaging and interesting program within departmental budget.
This description focuses on the primary duties of the position. It is not designed nor intended to
include all duties inherent in satisfactory performance of the position.
QUALIFICATIONS
 Passion for this mill project is needed. Must be eager to learn the mechanical operations
of the Plimoth Grist Mill in order to become proficient at grinding grain that, in terms of
quality and quantity, can be used in our foodways programs and sold in our Museum
Shops.
 A general background in a manual trade such as carpentry, masonry, agriculture or
mechanical technology is beneficial in this position but not required.
 Must have a good speaking voice, and be able to conduct interpretive talks for a diverse
audience in an engaging manner.
 Must be able to multi-task (for example, respond to guests’ questions while ensuring that
the millstone and mill wheel are turning properly and grain is being fed into the hopper at
the appropriate rate).
 Undergraduate degree preferred but not required.
 Must be able to work independently without direct supervision and exercise good
judgment in all matters.
 Must possess a valid Massachusetts driver’s license and be able to drive a company
vehicle as needed. Must be available to work weekends, holidays and evenings as schedule and the
Museum’s public calendar requires.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
 The duties of this job include working standing, bent over, or kneeling; lifting and
moving objects up to 50 lbs; climbing stairs, ladders; manipulating 17
th
century
implements and tools. The indoor work places are not climate controlled. Some of the
work is outdoors and includes exposure to a variety of materials including, but not
limited to, grain products and a variety of plants in a varied terrain.
 Must be capable of moving and lifting bags and objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
 Must be able to perform duties safely around moving machinery such as metal and
wooden gears, millstones, etc.
 Must be alert at all times to potential safety hazards.
 The mill is not air-conditioned. Must be able to work in a variety of temperatures and
weather-conditions.