Museum Programming and Communications Assistant

Museum Programming and Communications Assistant:

$17/hour

30 hours/week

Standard work week: Wednesday-Sunday

Dalnavert Museum is seeking a Museum Programming and Communications Assistant for the summer period. This is an exciting opportunity for aspiring museum professionals seeking to gain practical experience in a busy history museum as well as those interested in museum interpretation and communications, program development and delivery, and wider museum operations. The successful candidate will work closely with our Museum Services Manager and Executive Director to assist in the creation and implementation of interpretive programming,  implement the museum’s communications strategies, deliver exceptional visitor experiences via tours, and contribute to Dalnavert’s mission to promote and protect this National Historic site in critically engaging and challenging ways. The Museum Communications and Programming Assistant will also play a key role in planning and delivery of the annual Dalnavert Days festival.

Friends of Dalnavert Museum is the registered charity that owns and operates Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Centre, located at 61 Carlton St. in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dalnavert is the restored 1895 home of Sir Hugh John Macdonald, son of Sir John A. Macdonald, and his family. Our mission is to preserve and maintain the museum’s buildings, grounds, and collection; to present engaging programs and exhibits that interpret the history of the house and Winnipeg’s rich heritage for visitors; and to develop partnerships and programming that make Dalnavert a cultural centre for city residents.

The primary tasks to be undertaken by the Museum Programming and Communications Assistant are as follows: 

• Plan and execute a two day festival (Dalnavert Days) to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the historic house, including a market, musical acts, family activities and tours, and refreshments.
• Work with the museum team to deliver summer programs, including 130th  anniversary programs, as well as contributing to the design and development of future programs.
• Deliver exceptional frontline visitor services, including providing tours and other recurring programs, processing admissions and other sales, and responding to visitor enquiries as needed.
• Work with the museum team to deliver our Communications Plan including coordination and creation of newsletters, website and social media content, and the creation of promotional marketing materials as required; contribute to communication planning meetings as required.
• Contribute to daily museum operations including assisting with volunteer support, setting event spaces, ensuring health and safety procedures are being followed, and other standard museum operation duties as required.

Candidates interested in this position should demonstrate the following education, experience and/or skills:

• Upper-level University or College education in any of the following areas is preferred: Museum Studies, Education, Humanities (History, Canadian Studies,  Anthropology, Art History, and Fine Arts), Communication Arts, Marketing, Public Relations, Information Technology, or demonstrable skills and experience in a relevant professional sphere.
• Experience in developing and delivering museum programming including public and school programs such as tours, workshops and education programs.
• Experience in project management for events or other large scale projects
• Experience in use of common design tools, multimedia, and related equipment/software strongly desired (e.g. Website development, Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, Digital Audio Recording/Editing).
• Experience with popular social media platforms (especially Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok) in a professional sphere is a requirement (can include relevant volunteer experience) and can be demonstrated with sample work; experience with social media as a brand tool an asset.
• Demonstrated interest in Canadian historical perspectives, e.g. social and political history, built heritage, material culture, interpretation and story-telling.
• Computer proficiency, including standard tools such as MS Office.
• Experience working with digital photography is an asset.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential, French and/or additional language skills (including ASL and Indigenous languages) an asset.
• Excellent oral, communication and organizational skills, accuracy, attention to detail, friendly, open to learning, self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Note: Availability to work all weekends and occasional evenings is a requirement.

Interviews are expected to take place in April 2025 with a view to the role beginning in early May 2025. Candidates may be required to show proof of a clear Criminal Record and Child Abuse Registry Check.

Funder-required Criteria:
Applicants will only be considered if they meet the following criteria:

• are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent resident status are not eligible);
• are legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);
• are between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and
• are a high school, college, CEGEP or university student.
• Note: Priority will be given to students who have not previously participated in the YCW-HO employment program.

Please indicate that you meet the funder criteria when submitting your application.

The Friends of Dalnavert Museum Inc. welcomes diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from all qualified students. Priority hiring will be given to those from groups that have been historically marginalized, including, but not limited to: women, Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, LGBT2S+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities. We encourage applicants to self-identify.

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make the hiring process more accessible. For more information or to request an accommodation, please contact Museum Services Manager, Samantha Machado, at sam@dalnavertmuseum.ca or call 204.943.2835.

Interested applicants may email a résumé including a cover letter and two references on or before 11:59 p.m. April 12, 2025 to sarah.watkins@dalnavertmuseum.ca.