Program Facilitator I, Forest History Center at Minnesota Historical Society – Grand Rapids, Minnesota
About This Position
JOB TITLE: Interpreter I, Forest History Center
LOCATION: Forest History Center, 2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
COMPENSATION: Typical starting rate $19.67 hourly
STATUS & HOURS: Part-time regular position of approximately 624 annual hours. A typical schedule is 30 hours per week, Wednesday through Saturday, June through September. The position is expected to work from June 3rd through September 4th during the season. Additional hours may be available during the fall, winter, and spring for special events, usually not more than once or twice per month during the off-season. Training and orientation are expected to start before June 3rd.
BENEFITS: Eligible to participate in a retirement program with employer contribution. Generous vacation and sick time accruals.
DESIGNATION: Bargaining Unit AFSCME Local 3173
POSTING DATE: March 2, 2026
DEADLINE DATE: March 16, 2026
DESCRIPTION: This position exists to present engaging educational programs, serve visitors in the museum store, assist in the daily operations, and provide customer service to visitors of the Forest History Center. Programming at the Forest History Center has two primary focuses, which the Program Facilitator will have an opportunity to participate in. One program area will involve presenting historical information regarding logging, forest management, conservation, and preservation in Minnesota using first- and third-person interpretation, inquiry, hands-on engagement, and discussion. The second program area will include conveying information about the environmental history, natural history, and ecology of forests in Minnesota, as well as interpret displays, exhibits, and program content using outdoor experiential and adventure-based learning methods, inquiry, hands-on engagement, discussion, discovery, and other interactive techniques in outdoor and indoor settings.
SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) Present educational programs, guide tours, facilitate activities, and provide demonstrations and presentations using multiple interpretive and teaching techniques; 2) Perform museum store sales, admissions sales, and clerical services; 3) Receive, welcome, and orient visitors to the site; 4) Assist in the maintenance and protection of the site’s grounds, facilities, and equipment; 5) Study site-related materials and attend trainings to enhance the delivery of the site’s interpretive programs; and 6) Follow site safety procedures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated experience and ability to provide consistent high-quality customer service.
Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills.
Ability to deliver effective verbal presentations in front of small to large-sized groups.
Ability to listen to the public and be responsive to inquiries and comments.
Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaborate and contribute positively in a team environment.
Flexibility to adjust to changes in schedule and assignments.
Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.
Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse public in a friendly and open manner, while conveying information or teaching.
Basic accounting and math skills.
Experience canoeing or kayaking and the ability to swim.
Ability to stand for extended periods of time and walk up to 5 miles a day in heat, cold, rain, and snow.
Ability to bend, crouch, kneel, reach, push, and pull.
Comfort with working in high places.
Willingness to work with sharp tools and fire.
Comfortable working with or near horses.
Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
Willingness to complete all required safety training, including first aid and CPR, watercraft rescue,
Must be comfortable working in kayaks and on pontoons in a wide variety of weather conditions.
Must be willing and able to perform water rescues if required.
Must be comfortable working outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions.
Must be very comfortable speaking and conveying complex information in front of crowds, both indoors and outdoors, in a wide variety of weather conditions.
Must have experience delivering high-quality customer service.
Must be comfortable working with a diverse public in a friendly and open manner.
Must be able to swim.
Must be able to stand for extended periods of time and walk up to 5 miles a day in heat, cold, rain, and snow.
Must be able to bend, crouch, kneel, reach, push, and pull.
Must be comfortable working in high places (for example, our 100' tall fire tower).
Must be comfortable working with fire.
Must be able to lift and carry objects up to 50 lbs for short distances.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Experience working with children and/or adults in an educational environment.
Experience in teaching, museum interpretation, theater, storytelling or group leadership.
Experience as a kayak guide.
US Coast Guard OUPV license.
Minnesota Master Naturalist (or similar).
Familiarity with common Minnesota trees, birds, flowers, mammals, geology, etc.
Experience in teaching, museum interpretation, theater, storytelling, etc.
Experience and comfort working with or near large draft horses.
Experience driving golf carts, Bobcat, John Deere tractor, large pontoon, and other work vehicles.
Should you have questions with the application process, email humanresources@mnhs.org or call MNHS Job Line at 651-259-3181.
At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.
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Job Location
Job Location
This job is located in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota, 55744, United States region.