Historical Interpreter

Hunter's Home (Oklahoma Historical Society)

Park Hill, OK

Compensation: $45,000 a year plus benefits

To apply, visit: State of Oklahoma Careers

Hunter’s Home is the only remaining pre–Civil War plantation home in Oklahoma. A kitchen garden, field crops, animals, log cabin, and the historic home give visitors a window into life on an antebellum Cherokee plantation. The home is a National Historic Landmark, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

Job Description

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Bring the agricultural and domestic programs at Hunter’s Home to life through interpretation, programs and demonstrations     

• Assist site staff with the management of all animal husbandry functions including feeding, wellness checks, daily working of animals, etc.     

• Assist with agricultural management and upkeep of the farm including field management, fence work and haying.

• With the Site Director, research and develop programing and tours of mid-19th century agricultural and domestic practices. 

• Ensure the safety of both livestock and visitors

• Learn the history of Hunter’s Home and the people that lived there to present accurate and interesting tours to visitors, students and tour groups of all ages and abilities

• Respond to questions from visitors regarding Hunter’s Home, its inhabitants, the artifacts, and the economic and cultural development of the Cherokee Nation

• Assist with the daily opening and closing of the Hunter’s Home site

• Assist with the development, setting up, execution and take down of daily demonstrations, workshops, and special events for visitors of various ages and abilities centered on daily life in the 19th century

• Dress daily in appropriate 19th-century clothing in diverse weather conditions

• Research and develop new programing

• Assist with the daily care and feeding of site livestock

• Assist with day-to-day maintenance and cleaning of the Hunter’s Home site

• Learn and demonstrate mid-19th-century skills

• Assist and coach volunteers to help develop their tours

• Serve as security for Hunter’s Home, its artifacts, livestock, outbuildings, and grounds during operational hours

• Assist with ticket and gift shop sales

• Assist with social media editing and postings

• Respond to research, email and voicemail requests and inquiries

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with public speaking

• Must be able to speak, read and write in English

• Ability to work independently and in teams

• Ability to exercise integrity, good judgement, critical problem solving, patience and initiative, especially when working with the public

• Ability to function effectively in an ever-changing environment, stand outdoors in heat and inclement weather for extended periods and deal with frequent interruptions

• Ability to work weekends and nights

• Ability to present information to diverse groups and maintain control in difficult situations

• Ability to lift, move and carry up to 50lbs.

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time as well as stoop, bend, climb and go up and down stairs

• Cash handling experience

• Ability to have continuous dialog for extended lengths of time

• Must be comfortable in crowded spaces

• Comfortable working near open fires, with sharp tools, around farm animals and/or conducting strenuous work activities, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a variety of weather conditions

• Willingness to learn new skills and information

Education and Experience

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in history, museum studies, anthropology, archaeology, elementary education or a closely related field.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.