Storyteller & Tour Guide – Paid Training!

Position Title:    Historical Interpreter – Seasonal                                                 Date: March 2025

Reports to:        Manager of Museum Experience                                              FLSA: Non-exempt/Part-time/Temp

The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association is committed to building and retaining a diverse and inclusive staff. We welcome applications from candidates with a wide range of relevant backgrounds and experiences, even if they do not exactly meet the qualifications described below. In cases where qualifications do not match exactly, the candidate may have other transferable skills that fit the need.

Position Overview: Are you looking for a fun, casual, part-time job to earn some extra money? Do you want to get paid to work at a top 10 Massachusetts attraction? Apply to be a Seasonal Historic Interpreter (tour guide) at The House of the Seven Gables! Applicants with theater, tour guide, or museum experience are a great fit! This is a great job for history, literature, and education students and enthusiasts.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• No previous tour guide experience needed! We’ll teach you everything you need to know during our 5 days of paid training (mandatory, Monday through Friday).
• Instead of memorizing a script, we will work with you to develop a tour that fits our outline and your interests.
• Our tour is not theatrical, but we are looking for charisma! We hire based on personality and professionalism.

Who We Are:

Mission

As stewards of this iconic historic site, we aim to follow the tradition of Nathaniel Hawthorne and tell stories that reckon with the hard truths of our past, acknowledge our unique individual journeys, and remind us of our dependence on one another. As inheritors of the legacy of the Settlement House Movement, we aim to provide meaningful support for new immigrants, challenge misleading narratives that limit their opportunities, and empower them to write their own pages in our ongoing American story.

Vision

We envision a nation where storytelling is a pathway to empathy and history is a tool for transforming our present; where immigrants are supported and valued; and where positive change begins in our own neighborhood.

Who We’re Looking For:

Our ideal Historical Interpreters are hard-working team-players with a passion for history, storytelling, and delivering a 5-star visitor experience. Do you love meeting new people? Do you know how to inspire, engage, and make them smile? Do you slow your friends down when visiting museums because you stop to read everything? If so, this is the perfect job for you!

What You’ll Do:

Once trained, you’ll lead educational and entertaining guided tours of up to 18 visitors on a 45-minute visit through a legendary 1600s mansion. You’ll relay accurate information about the maritime fortune, literary fame, and social-minded philanthropy that built our site. The mansion is seen by guided tours only, so you will be at the front of every visitor’s experience. We have high standards, and we will support you in achieving them.

Your Schedule:

• Available to work at least one day weekly through October 31st, preference given to candidates who can work at least two days per week. Potential for extension based on visitation needs.

• Average of 4 to 16+ hours per week.

Requirements:

• Passion for history and storytelling.
• Available to work at least one day weekly through October 31^st.
• Ability to manage time effectively
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Comfortable in tight spaces and able to climb stairs
• Ability to stand for at least 1 hour at a time
• Ability to absorb information quickly
• Stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, talk, and listen for extended periods
• Occasionally climb, balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and lift and/or move up to 30 pounds
• Intermediate computer proficiency for use of web-based programs for payroll, scheduling, and point of sale operations.

Compensation & What Historical Interpreters Receive:

• $17/hour

 Benefits:

• Fun, beautiful, and supportive environment.
• Catered lunches on October weekends and holidays.
• Discounts in the Museum Store.
• Complimentary museum membership.
• Free or discounted access to other museums via reciprocity.
• Seasonal and annual staff outings & celebrations.
• Flexible hours that work around your schedule.
• Opportunity to cross-train as an Admissions and Museum Store Associate if interested.