Small Museum Association

General Description: This internship provides experience in working at and operating a small history museum. Training and work in customer service, museum gift shop operations, public programming delivery, event planning and hosting, understanding budgets/finances, collections care and preservation, buildings and grounds, and special projects catered to both the strengths of the intern and needs of the Museum will be part of this position.

Full description and details on living in Ely, Minnesota at www.rootbeerlady.com

Provided, Mandatory Paid Training

1. First On The Scene (FOTS) Training: General public basic emergency response to life-threatening emergencies until EMS arrives on the scene. Excusable if a CPR/First Aid certification is current.

2. Museum Staff Training: Held the week before the Museum opens for the season and includes but is not limited to organizational policies and procedures, general operating procedures, retail & admissions operations, interpretation and program delivery, group visit procedures, controversial issues, emergency plan/response, and the employee handbook.

3. Field Trips: Visits to other local attractions and points of interest, including a day trip into the Boundary Waters.

Primary Responsibilities – Museum Visitor Services:

1. Communicates the museum’s mission, vision, and interpretive message to the public by greeting visitors in person, over the phone or via email; informs visitors of museum guidelines, programs, exhibits, and resources; provides information to the public about Dorothy Molter. 

2. Assists in providing support services for museum staff, members, patrons, group tours, and school tours (e.g., addressing customer concerns, making sure interpretive materials are available and in good condition)

3. Completes at least one internship project that is determined by the Executive Director and intern based on intern’s skills, strengths, room for growth and interests.

4. Participates in meetings as necessary or assigned, including staff training in May

Secondary Responsibilities – Collections Care & Other Projects:

1. Assists in collections management at the visitor level (e.g., sharing information on an object)

2. Performs other duties as necessary or assigned including collections care (e.g., cleaning of fragile collection items)

3. General and/or specialized maintenance on the Museum property such as trail clearing, cabin care, outdoor painting, landscaping

4. Other projects as assigned that emphasize and implement individual strengths (e.g., social media, membership, programming, exhibit development)

Required Qualifications:

·         Possesses strong work ethic and personal accountability

·         Proficiency with using basic computer software and platform applications (e.g., email, word-processing, internet searches, smart devices)

·         Ability to demonstrate good written and oral communication skills

·         Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

·         Motivation to learn new tasks and skills, problem solve and take initiative when needed

·         Ability and desire to learn and interpret historical information and stories objectively to the public

·         Ability to work a flexible schedule that will sometimes include weekends, evenings, and holidays

·         Willingness to work in a variety of outdoor environmental situations in northeastern Minnesota

·         Must be able to lift up to 33 pounds (root beer case) and stand for extended periods of time, walk up and down stairs and over uneven outdoor terrain

Bonus Qualifications:

·         Experience with museum, park, or other interpretive center operations

·         Retail experience, including cash handling and maintaining inventory, and proficiency in point-of-sale software

·         Experience with PastPerfect collection and contact management software

·         Public speaking or leading public programming experience

Benefits

·         College campus housing shared with up to three other interns provided May 18-August 3

·         Employees working a full day (open to close) receive 30-min paid break time for lunch taken on or off-site

·         Full time seasonal workers receive 12 hours of paid time off to use as needed.

·         Discounts on Dorothy Molter Museum merchandise

·         Free year of membership to the Dorothy Molter Museum following  internship

·         Free admission to International Wolf Center & North American Bear Center

Transportation

Driving is not required for employment at the DMM