Department: Museum Programs
Locations: Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, Mackinac Island
Start/End Date: Early June through August, positions can range from 12-23 weeks
Pay Rate: Starting at $15.00/hr
Accepting applications for the 2027 season.
Scope of Duties:
This position serves visitors to Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP) by working as an interpreter at the Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum. This position is responsible for interpreting the history of the Anishinabek of the Straits of Mackinac, and the unique setting of Mackinac Island.
Responsibilities:
- Put MSHP visitors first by treating them with respect, serving their needs, and providing an enjoyable and educational experience.
- Present formal daily programs focusing on the Anishinabek of northern Michigan, the 1836 Treaty of Washington, and the community on Mackinac Island in the early 19th.
- Present informal interpretive programs about Mackinac Island in the 1820s and 1830s focusing on Indigenous treaty rights and negotiations and other appropriate topics in the Biddle House museum gallery.
- Present formal and informal interpretative programs about the history and traditions of the Odawa and Ojibwa, including their role in the Great Lakes fur trade, relationship with Europeans, their technology, material culture, and social structures.
- Help demonstrate the diverse community of Mackinac Island and the role of blended families, like the Biddle’s, in the 1830s.
- Help maintain the Biddle House Garden, and appropriate interpretative tools, and other assigned property of MSHP.
- Participate in other regularly scheduled interpretive presentations and special events as required.
Position Requirements:
- Must have an interest in public history and historical interpretation and be dedicated to public engagement and education.
- Must be outgoing, enthusiastic, self-motivated, and have strong public speaking skills.
- Must have an interest in the interpretation of Native American traditions and history
- Must be able to follow verbal and written directions and be able to verbally communicate with visitors and coworkers.
- Must be able to work at the assigned position length. Positions can range from approximately 12-23 weeks, primarily June-August.
Work Location and Schedule:
This is a full-time seasonal position, which typically works 40 hours per week for approximately 12-23 weeks, early June through Late August. The workstation for this position is the Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, although the employee may be required to work at other MSHP park sites. The position is based both indoors in historic structures and outdoors on site. Work schedules are posted in advance and are subject to change depending on park operational needs. The employee must be willing to work independently and 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 supplies, walking long distances and on rough terrain, frequent twisting, bending, stooping, reaching and grasping, sitting and/or standing for long periods of time, and ability to utilize ferry boat transportation to and from Mackinac Island. The employee will be required to wear a uniform as required while working indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions. This position will be exposed to extreme heat conditions working near an open hearth within historic buildings and outdoors around the site; individuals must be able to work in this type of environment.
Dress Code:
MSHP 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 MSHP polo t-shirt while on duty. Violation of the dress code may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
Supervision:
The employee works under the direction of the Interpretation Coordinator.
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. Specifically, the park is under no obligation to hire the individual in subsequent seasons. 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.
Click here to fill out an application.
Questions or cannot apply online?
Please contact:
Employment
P.O. Box 873
Mackinaw City, MI 49701
231-436-4100 x111
