Historic Interpreter I, Historic Fort Snelling

Job Type: Location Type: Not Specified

 

JOB TITLE: Historic Interpreter I, Historic Fort Snelling

LOCATION: Historic Fort Snelling, 200 Tower Ave, St Paul, MN 55111

COMPENSATION: Typical starting rate $19.67 hourly

STATUS & HOURS: This is a part-time, regular position of approximately 520 annual hours, with the focus on spring and summer programming. A typical schedule is around 24 hours a week, April through October, Thursday through Sunday, with approximately 40 hours of training in March.

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: January 29, 2026

DEADLINE DATE: February 12, 2026

TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society’s career center at www.mnhs.org/jobs and include a resume and cover letter by the application deadline date.
DESCRIPTION: This position exists to conduct interpretive programs utilizing a variety of interpretive techniques, support admissions and the site store, assist with daily site operations, and provide high-quality customer service to visitors of Historic Fort Snelling.

SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) Conduct interpretive programs for diverse audiences at the site; 2) Provide museum store sales, admission sales, and rental operational support; 3) Receive, welcome, and orient visitors to the historic site; 4) Assist in the maintenance and protection of the historic site grounds, facility, and collections; and 5) Study assigned or site-relevant historical materials to enhance the delivery of the site’s programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience and ability to provide consistent, quality customer service.
• Strong oral communication skills and the ability to listen and be responsive to questions and comments.
• Experience in or willingness to learn computer software programs as needed.
• Basic accounting and math skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while also being able to collaborate and contribute positively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse public in a friendly and open manner, while conveying information or teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply a wide variety of interpretive techniques.

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS IN OR KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Willingness to learn and work a variety of assignments, including but not limited to retail and admissions software, site orientation for guests, interpretive (potentially may include military, hearth cooking, shops, etc., depending upon supervisor assessment of skill set and knowledge).
• Willingness to complete all required safety training, including firearms safety, etc., as needed.
• If participating in specific areas of the program, required to have 20/20 vision (corrective lenses acceptable), healthy depth perception, and peripheral vision.
• Ability to work a varied schedule, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• 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.
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds; partner lift with anything more than 25 pounds.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent
• Experience working with K-12 audiences.
• Educational background and/or interest in any of the following: Public History &/or Anthropology, Native American History/ Socio-cultural, African American History/ Socio-cultural, Japanese American History/ Socio-cultural, Skilled Labor History/ Socio-cultural, Tech. & Skills, Military History, Music.
• Experience working at a museum, historic site, or cultural institution.
• Experience in Shopify software, or other retail or admissions software.
• Knowledge of basic clothing, tool, or cookware maintenance, and historic food preparation
• Willingness to participate in costumed interpretive programming. Gender, race, ethnicity, and age do not affect what areas a Historic Interpreter can work in.

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.