Indigenous Public History Educator

Position Summary

Plimoth Patuxet Museums seeks creative, outgoing, members of Indigenous communities who are interested in educating and sharing knowledge to foster public understanding of the history, heritage, lifeways, and worldview of Indigenous communities of the Eastern Woodlands of Turtle Island (North America). While daily conversations with guests will range over the entire 12,000+ year history of the Wampanoag Nation, the focus of the living history sites is on the contact period and how it relates to past and future.

Indigenous Public History Educators (IPHE) speak from a modern perspective, presenting programs, talks, and tours onsite and online for the Museum’s guests. They work to build allyship and cultural understanding across cultural boundaries.

IPHEs work collaboratively with other Museum employees and volunteers who share the same work space to deliver a high quality, engaging, interactive, fun and educational experience to guests. With active fundraising efforts to build a new Indigenous program building ongoing, we are seeking candidates with cultural skills who are inspired by the idea of helping to shape the future of the Museum’s Indigenous programs and exhibits.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide a friendly and welcoming presence for all guests and coworkers throughout the Museum by engaging guests in conversations about Wampanoag history and culture by meeting guests where they are, and thoughtfully guiding their learning.
  • Create a hands-on learning environment by involving guests in demonstrations, activities and programs.
  • Prepare and run educationally based programming both on and off site, including after hours programming.
  • As requested, work with the Education and Public Programs Departments to host programs for students and lifelong learners - onsite, online and at offsite locations. This responsibility will occur most frequently during the “off-season” months of December - March.
  • Conduct timed tours and other programs.
  • Provide training for staff and volunteers on the history, culture and lifeways of Indigenous communities of the Northeast.
  • Properly use and care for all Museum owned materials including but not limited to historical reproductions, historical clothing, training materials, uniforms, voice amplification devices, and tools.
  • Assist in maintaining the sites including basic upkeep of the site structures and tending planting grounds.
  • Attend all meetings, training and professional development sessions as requested.
  • Adhere to the policies of Plimoth Patuxet Museums as outlined in the Museum Employee manual and current job description.

This description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of key responsibilities of the job as it is at present, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description may be reviewed by management at any time either to ensure that it relates to the job currently being performed, or to incorporate changes. Management reserves the right to change a job description; and if/when doing so will discuss with the employee so that any changes are understood by the employee.

Required Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to speak and listen with expertise on matters relating to Wampanoag Indigenous culture and communities and lived Indigenous cultural experiences.
  • Ability to respect and appreciate the cultural richness, beliefs and diversity Plimoth Patuxet Museums represents.
  • Knowledge of traditional Indigenous ecological, engineering, artistic and cultural practices (for example, house-construction, baskets, pottery, clothing, etc.) is helpful.
  • A basic understanding of cultural competency, and the willingness to continually grow in that area.
  • Commitment to building effective allyship skills with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities that is reflective and open to notions of cultural self-awareness (implicit bias, cultural bias, positionality, etc.) and cultural boundaries.
  • As appropriate, and comfortable, IPHE’s may be asked to wear 17th-century Wampanoag clothing for scripted and semi-scripted scenarios, scenes and other museum theater pieces, or as personally deemed comfortable on museum sites.
  • An engaging and creative personality with the ability to communicate clearly with guests and colleagues.
  • Ability to speak clearly and informatively, and appropriately present content to guests of all ages and abilities including K-12 students, university students, families, and tourist groups.
  • Excellent conversational skills, with the ability to distill complex historical narratives, actively listen to guests, and incorporate traditional Indigenous oral history and storytelling practices and content as appropriate.
  • Knowledge of an Indigenous Language or language revitalization preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate skillfully with people with diverse learning styles from a wide range of cultural and social backgrounds.
  • Imperturbability and patience are helpful traits. Must be able to maintain a professional composure and appearance at all times.
  • Experience in education is preferred but not required.
  • Reliability, dependability and punctuality. Demonstrated ability to make decisions that put safety first at all times; Values and works towards teamwork.
  • Ability to work independently, without direct supervision, as well as part of a team.
  • Skilled at using Google Suite, Zoom and other technological applications.
  • Ability to wear and communicate using devices intended to accommodate guests’ learning experience such as wearable voice amplification devices.
  • Must be able to read and understand a variety of historical and educational sources.
  • The Museum is open 7 days a week, so some flexibility with your schedule is helpful.
  • Must be able to work Saturday or Sunday (being able to work both weekend days is a plus). Some Federal and state holidays and evenings may be required (depending on the time of the year and operating hours of the Museum. With advance notice, the Museum strives to make accommodation for staff to attend ceremonies and tribal gatherings.

Education and Experience

  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required; A BA/BS in a related field such as Indigenous Studies, Education or History is preferred.

  • A personal background of lived Indigenous cultural experience is essential

  • Interest in and at least two years experience working with the public in some capacity is preferred.

  • Experience working with children in a professional educational setting (school or club, etc.) is strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Duties may include working, sitting, standing, bent over or kneeling; may involve some lifting and moving of objects, climbing stairs and standing for extended periods. Must be able to lift 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The workplace is not always climate controlled. This position requires outdoor work in a variety of weather conditions. Work may be performed in dusty and smoky environments; in dimly lit areas; near open fires. The noise level in the workplace varies from quiet to loud.

Additional Requirements

The Museum is open 7 days a week April through the end of November. You must be available to work Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays, including Thanksgiving Day. Typical hours
during the Museum’s Open Season are 9:00am - 5:00pm, five days a week through the end of November, and 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday from December through March. Flexibility in work hours and days off is required. Depending on the season, this position may include working additional night/weekend hours or days as needed.

Core Commitments

Whether part-time or full-time, year-round or seasonal, all staff and volunteers at Plimoth Patuxet advance the Museum’s educational mission and strategic goals. They uphold the Museum’s core values and principles in their work and in all of their interactions with the public and with coworkers. This commitment helps to ensure that Plimoth Patuxet's reputation for excellence is maintained and that, as stewards of the Museum, we are helping to create a relevant and sustainable future for Plimoth Patuxet Museums. The core principles that guide us in our work are:

  • Safety and Comfort

  • Compassionate Customer Engagement

  • Professional Excellence

  • Personal Accountability

  • Advance a Culture of Philanthropy

  • Teamwork

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a PDF file of your resume, and cover letter to apply@plimoth.org, or by submitting them by US mail to the following address:

Plimoth Patuxet Museums
Attn: Human Resources
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360