Volunteer and Employment Opportunities
The Avon River Heritage Society is always looking for volunteers to help with various aspects of the museum.
Each summer we hire students to aid in the daily operations of the facility.
We are actively looking for a number of volunteers with different interest and skill sets to contribute to our ongoing projects, for example experience in public relations, marketing, sponsorship and fundraising are all areas where we could use extra help.
We are also looking for several casual volunteers to lend a hand in the café or gift shop during busy events like the Great Little Art Show, Artisans in Action and the Honey Harvest Festival and for those to act as guides and interpreters, especially during the shoulder seasons (May, June, October & November).
If you have a skill, knowledge or experience you'd like to share and are interested in giving back to your community, we'd love to hear from you!
Scroll down for more information on volunteer committee roles.
Each summer we hire students to aid in the daily operations of the facility.
We are actively looking for a number of volunteers with different interest and skill sets to contribute to our ongoing projects, for example experience in public relations, marketing, sponsorship and fundraising are all areas where we could use extra help.
We are also looking for several casual volunteers to lend a hand in the café or gift shop during busy events like the Great Little Art Show, Artisans in Action and the Honey Harvest Festival and for those to act as guides and interpreters, especially during the shoulder seasons (May, June, October & November).
If you have a skill, knowledge or experience you'd like to share and are interested in giving back to your community, we'd love to hear from you!
Scroll down for more information on volunteer committee roles.
Now accepting applications for Student staff positions for the Summer of 2022
General Statement of Activities: The Avon River Heritage Society (ARHS) runs a permanent museum situated in Avondale/Newport Landing on the scenic shores of the Avon River on the site where Planter sloops, The Lydia and The Sally, landed in 1760.
The Museum operates an exhibit area, Café, an Art Gallery, Gift Shop, a Genealogical/Reference Library and the Avon Spirit Shipyard, a popular venue for festivals and events. Students are hired to serve as museum staff and interpretive guides and will report to our facility manager and curator.
Nature of Students Desired: Well organized with an interest in history, culture, the arts and the environment. Ideal candidates will be capable of dealing with the public and tourists in a helpful, cheerful and outgoing manner, and be willing to take on fair and appropriate tasks to help the museum have a successful year. The level of secondary or post-secondary education will partly depend on the criteria determined annually by various government agencies for summer student employment grants.
Desired qualifications/skills include:
Hours of Operation: Pending the provincial COVID status, the Museum will be open five days a week during the summer months, operating Wednesday through Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
Knowledge of Museum and Its Aims: Museum facilities manager and volunteers will orient, advise, and supervise summer students. Our goal is to make your summer a worthwhile learning experience that will assist in your future careers.
Lydia and Sally Tearoom Café, Planters Sea Chest Gift Shop Operation and the Artists Landing Art Gallery: The staff would be expected to assist in the operation of the tea room/gift shop/art gallery selling items and handling cash in a responsible manner. Maintaining cleanliness of the tearoom/café, gift shop, museum area, art gallery, Avon Spirit Shipyard, the grounds and two washrooms forms part of the staff duties.
Wages: The hourly wage would be $13.50 per hour for a 35 hour work week. The ARHS would ensure compliance with the necessary requirements for vacation pay, employment insurance, CPP and Workers’ Compensation. This is a summer term position lasting approximately 8 weeks. The Avon River Heritage Society is committed to reflecting diverse communities. This is a term position subject to funding from Canada Summer Jobs.
Benefits to Student Staff: In addition to providing some employment, a student will gain a great deal of practical experience and insight into dealing with the public and tourists. This should help hone skills in public speaking and customer service, by giving reasonably knowledgeable, interesting and lucid presentations to visitors while interpreting for them the life and times of the themes of the museum. Creating on-line exhibits will increase technical and computer skills.
Specific Duties: Among the duties are the following:
Applications will be accepted until May 14th, 2022 and should be emailed to infoavonriver@gmail.com. All resumes will be reviewed, but only those selected for interview will be contacted. This is a term position subject to funding from Canada Summer Jobs and certain limitations apply.
The Museum operates an exhibit area, Café, an Art Gallery, Gift Shop, a Genealogical/Reference Library and the Avon Spirit Shipyard, a popular venue for festivals and events. Students are hired to serve as museum staff and interpretive guides and will report to our facility manager and curator.
Nature of Students Desired: Well organized with an interest in history, culture, the arts and the environment. Ideal candidates will be capable of dealing with the public and tourists in a helpful, cheerful and outgoing manner, and be willing to take on fair and appropriate tasks to help the museum have a successful year. The level of secondary or post-secondary education will partly depend on the criteria determined annually by various government agencies for summer student employment grants.
Desired qualifications/skills include:
- Interest in history and community museums
- Excellent organizational skills, ability to work well independently
- Excellent computer skills; camera skills desired
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills – the incumbent may greet or be asked questions by visitors
- Demonstrated ability to work with others
Hours of Operation: Pending the provincial COVID status, the Museum will be open five days a week during the summer months, operating Wednesday through Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
Knowledge of Museum and Its Aims: Museum facilities manager and volunteers will orient, advise, and supervise summer students. Our goal is to make your summer a worthwhile learning experience that will assist in your future careers.
Lydia and Sally Tearoom Café, Planters Sea Chest Gift Shop Operation and the Artists Landing Art Gallery: The staff would be expected to assist in the operation of the tea room/gift shop/art gallery selling items and handling cash in a responsible manner. Maintaining cleanliness of the tearoom/café, gift shop, museum area, art gallery, Avon Spirit Shipyard, the grounds and two washrooms forms part of the staff duties.
Wages: The hourly wage would be $13.50 per hour for a 35 hour work week. The ARHS would ensure compliance with the necessary requirements for vacation pay, employment insurance, CPP and Workers’ Compensation. This is a summer term position lasting approximately 8 weeks. The Avon River Heritage Society is committed to reflecting diverse communities. This is a term position subject to funding from Canada Summer Jobs.
Benefits to Student Staff: In addition to providing some employment, a student will gain a great deal of practical experience and insight into dealing with the public and tourists. This should help hone skills in public speaking and customer service, by giving reasonably knowledgeable, interesting and lucid presentations to visitors while interpreting for them the life and times of the themes of the museum. Creating on-line exhibits will increase technical and computer skills.
Specific Duties: Among the duties are the following:
- Greeting Museum visitors in a cheerful, outgoing and helpful manner, and interpreting the Museum and its artifacts.
- Participate in daily museum operations and special events with a focus on visitor engagement.
- Ensure the security of the Museum and its collection during the day and when closing at the end of the day, assisting in daily opening and closing procedures.
- The correct handling of money in the gift shop or tea room, helping with inventory counts and checks.
- Assisting, as necessary, in food preparation, serving and squaring off the Lydia and Sally Tea Room Café. This may require taking a food handling course paid for by the museum.
- Providing tourist information as appropriate. Maintain visitor statistics.
- Keeping the Museum clean, inside and outside. This includes the two interior bathrooms and the outside facility. Keeping the grounds clean and tidy and watering window boxes and gardens.
- Helping with the design and construction of new museum displays, contributing historical images and text to museum social media positions.
- Helping to catalogue, record or research artifacts, pictures, newspaper or library articles or records.
- Computer, camera and scanner work; Become proficient with our collections database and assist with maintenance of our artifact collection by photographing and scanning museum artifacts and uploading images.
- Bringing to the attention of the museum facility manager/curators, all matters that arise that could affect the well-being of the Museum.
- Safety of the visitors, knowing where first aid kits are stowed, the emergency telephone numbers and being able to respond to situations covered in the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan for the ARHS.
Applications will be accepted until May 14th, 2022 and should be emailed to infoavonriver@gmail.com. All resumes will be reviewed, but only those selected for interview will be contacted. This is a term position subject to funding from Canada Summer Jobs and certain limitations apply.
Committees
Collections and Exhibits Committee Role and Responsibilities:
This committee is responsible for overseeing the acquisition, care, and use of the museum’s collection and overseeing planning and creation of exhibits. In carrying out its work, the Collections Committee will be guided by and will adhere to the Avon River Heritage Museum Collection Management Policy, Exhibitions Policy, and adhere to the Canadian Museums Association’s Ethics Guidelines (2006).
• Displays and Interpretation
Responsible for what and how the Museum artifacts and possessions are displayed, in accordance with the Statement of Purpose and Mission of the Museum and the Accession Policy. The Committee shall develop, design, build and organize new or reworked Museum displays. Responsible for the planning and the layout of the Museum. Responsible to ensure that when designing, organizing and building displays, the visitors’ ability to correctly and easily interpret the theme and message of the display remains paramount. The Committee is encouraged to develop interesting permanent and temporary displays with the innovative use of materials, colour, clear signage and interpretive information and where appropriate, to incorporate the use of sound, smell and interactive devices. Visitors of all reasonable ages should be able to follow, enjoy and understand the information being presented. Safety of the visitors and displays must be built into the displays’ design and construction. This Committee shall provide pertinent information to assist in maintaining the ARHS website.
• Accessions
Responsible for the Accession and De-accession Policy and the procedures necessary to ensure their efficient implementation. This Committee decides what artifacts will or will not be accepted for donation, loan or temporary loan. Defers to the BOD for major acquisition decisions as required by the Collections Policy. With support of staff, maintains records of collection documentation, files, completed Accession and De-accession forms. Is responsible for the correct and thorough cataloguing of the Museum Collection and when artifacts are not on display, for their safe and proper storage in accordance with the Museum’s standard procedures. The catalogue will record all artifacts and possessions of the ARHS.
Facilities Committee Role and Responsibilities:
This committee will ensure that the physical facilities are in safe and secure working order. They will be responsible for carrying out an annual inspection of the property using the ARHS Inspection Checklist. It is responsible for inspection of all facilities and arranging for all maintenance, repair, appearance, cleanliness and preservation of the Museum complex and its grounds. Responsible for all necessary preparations for winter, for the first-aid kits, first-aid fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire marshal inspections, building and facilities’ security, wheelchair accessibility to the ground floor, landscaping, gardens and parking lots. The Committee shall determine where road signs are needed, have them produced, put in place and maintained. The Committee is responsible for incorporating the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan of the Avon River Heritage Museum and making adjustments pertinent to the circumstances of the ARHS. The Committee is responsible for the training of all staff and volunteers in executing this plan. The Building Committee shall try to maintain a list/roster of volunteers with various maintenance skills that are willing to be called upon to assist with maintenance problems.
Finance Committee Role and Responsibilities:
This committee shall consist of the President, Treasurer, the Facilities Manager, and any other financial advisor appointed by this committee or the BOD. The principal responsibility of the Finance Committee is to prepare the annual budget for the consideration of the BOD and to oversee its execution. The Committee shall oversee and assist the Treasurer in the execution of their duties and shall keep the BOD thoroughly informed as to the financial state of the ARHS. The Finance Committee establishes and executes the procedure for issuing charitable income tax receipts in accordance with the rules of Revenue Canada.
Volunteer and Human Resources Committee Role and Responsibilities:
This committee will recruit, support, and acknowledge volunteers following the ARHS Volunteer Policy and using the volunteer application form and exit interview, where appropriate. It will also produce job descriptions, advertise positions, conduct interviews, and select those to be hired. This whole procedure is to be conducted in accordance with ARHS Human Resources policy. It must take into account any hiring restrictions required by Human Resources Development Canada or the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development.
This Committee shall be responsible for managing a volunteer schedule and producing and keeping current the Staff Manual, which outlines the duties and responsibilities of staff, volunteers, and summer student staff.
This Committee shall prepare applications for grants of financial assistance for hiring permanent, casual, summer or other staff. The Committee is responsible for ensuring that staff are given proper orientation and training so they understand their duties, what is expected and required of them, and what the ARHS is trying to accomplish.
Community Museum Assistance Program(CMAP)/ Quality Control Committee Role and Responsibilities:
This committee will stay abreast of museum best practices, will oversee policy review and recommend changes to the BOD where needed, will maintain clear, accessible records of policies and procedure for staff and volunteers (on-line and/or print), will oversee and participate in planning for external museum reviews, and will update the museum’s Strategic Plan as needed.
Nominating Committee:
This committee, appointed by the BOD, is comprised of BOD members who are not standing for re-election. The committee keeps a record of end of term for each member of the BOD, recruits, and recommends at least one qualified new board member for each open position. The committee also takes responsibility for orienting new BOD members.
Committees - General, Relationship to Board, Authority and Decision-Making:
Each committee will be guided by and will adhere to the Avon River Heritage Museum’s Mission Statement and Strategic Plan. Each committee has a chair and as many members as required. The chair is a member of the Board of Directors (BOD). The committee reports to and is responsible to the BOD. Each Committee adheres to museum policy including the Canadian Museums Association’s Ethics Guidelines (2006). When needed, the committees will make recommendations to BOD policy and museum operating practices as they affect their committees’ Terms of Reference and duties. Term of office for committee members will be one year, with the opportunity to renew at each Annual General Meeting.
Committees Chair Job Description:
The committee chair is accountable to the Board of Directors. S/He is chosen based on qualifications (interest in topic) and experience. The term of the position will be reviewed annually. Chair responsibilities and basic tasks include:
All volunteers working with youth require a criminal records check, first aid is also an asset.
This committee is responsible for overseeing the acquisition, care, and use of the museum’s collection and overseeing planning and creation of exhibits. In carrying out its work, the Collections Committee will be guided by and will adhere to the Avon River Heritage Museum Collection Management Policy, Exhibitions Policy, and adhere to the Canadian Museums Association’s Ethics Guidelines (2006).
• Displays and Interpretation
Responsible for what and how the Museum artifacts and possessions are displayed, in accordance with the Statement of Purpose and Mission of the Museum and the Accession Policy. The Committee shall develop, design, build and organize new or reworked Museum displays. Responsible for the planning and the layout of the Museum. Responsible to ensure that when designing, organizing and building displays, the visitors’ ability to correctly and easily interpret the theme and message of the display remains paramount. The Committee is encouraged to develop interesting permanent and temporary displays with the innovative use of materials, colour, clear signage and interpretive information and where appropriate, to incorporate the use of sound, smell and interactive devices. Visitors of all reasonable ages should be able to follow, enjoy and understand the information being presented. Safety of the visitors and displays must be built into the displays’ design and construction. This Committee shall provide pertinent information to assist in maintaining the ARHS website.
• Accessions
Responsible for the Accession and De-accession Policy and the procedures necessary to ensure their efficient implementation. This Committee decides what artifacts will or will not be accepted for donation, loan or temporary loan. Defers to the BOD for major acquisition decisions as required by the Collections Policy. With support of staff, maintains records of collection documentation, files, completed Accession and De-accession forms. Is responsible for the correct and thorough cataloguing of the Museum Collection and when artifacts are not on display, for their safe and proper storage in accordance with the Museum’s standard procedures. The catalogue will record all artifacts and possessions of the ARHS.
Facilities Committee Role and Responsibilities:
This committee will ensure that the physical facilities are in safe and secure working order. They will be responsible for carrying out an annual inspection of the property using the ARHS Inspection Checklist. It is responsible for inspection of all facilities and arranging for all maintenance, repair, appearance, cleanliness and preservation of the Museum complex and its grounds. Responsible for all necessary preparations for winter, for the first-aid kits, first-aid fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire marshal inspections, building and facilities’ security, wheelchair accessibility to the ground floor, landscaping, gardens and parking lots. The Committee shall determine where road signs are needed, have them produced, put in place and maintained. The Committee is responsible for incorporating the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan of the Avon River Heritage Museum and making adjustments pertinent to the circumstances of the ARHS. The Committee is responsible for the training of all staff and volunteers in executing this plan. The Building Committee shall try to maintain a list/roster of volunteers with various maintenance skills that are willing to be called upon to assist with maintenance problems.
Finance Committee Role and Responsibilities:
This committee shall consist of the President, Treasurer, the Facilities Manager, and any other financial advisor appointed by this committee or the BOD. The principal responsibility of the Finance Committee is to prepare the annual budget for the consideration of the BOD and to oversee its execution. The Committee shall oversee and assist the Treasurer in the execution of their duties and shall keep the BOD thoroughly informed as to the financial state of the ARHS. The Finance Committee establishes and executes the procedure for issuing charitable income tax receipts in accordance with the rules of Revenue Canada.
Volunteer and Human Resources Committee Role and Responsibilities:
This committee will recruit, support, and acknowledge volunteers following the ARHS Volunteer Policy and using the volunteer application form and exit interview, where appropriate. It will also produce job descriptions, advertise positions, conduct interviews, and select those to be hired. This whole procedure is to be conducted in accordance with ARHS Human Resources policy. It must take into account any hiring restrictions required by Human Resources Development Canada or the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development.
This Committee shall be responsible for managing a volunteer schedule and producing and keeping current the Staff Manual, which outlines the duties and responsibilities of staff, volunteers, and summer student staff.
This Committee shall prepare applications for grants of financial assistance for hiring permanent, casual, summer or other staff. The Committee is responsible for ensuring that staff are given proper orientation and training so they understand their duties, what is expected and required of them, and what the ARHS is trying to accomplish.
Community Museum Assistance Program(CMAP)/ Quality Control Committee Role and Responsibilities:
This committee will stay abreast of museum best practices, will oversee policy review and recommend changes to the BOD where needed, will maintain clear, accessible records of policies and procedure for staff and volunteers (on-line and/or print), will oversee and participate in planning for external museum reviews, and will update the museum’s Strategic Plan as needed.
Nominating Committee:
This committee, appointed by the BOD, is comprised of BOD members who are not standing for re-election. The committee keeps a record of end of term for each member of the BOD, recruits, and recommends at least one qualified new board member for each open position. The committee also takes responsibility for orienting new BOD members.
Committees - General, Relationship to Board, Authority and Decision-Making:
Each committee will be guided by and will adhere to the Avon River Heritage Museum’s Mission Statement and Strategic Plan. Each committee has a chair and as many members as required. The chair is a member of the Board of Directors (BOD). The committee reports to and is responsible to the BOD. Each Committee adheres to museum policy including the Canadian Museums Association’s Ethics Guidelines (2006). When needed, the committees will make recommendations to BOD policy and museum operating practices as they affect their committees’ Terms of Reference and duties. Term of office for committee members will be one year, with the opportunity to renew at each Annual General Meeting.
Committees Chair Job Description:
The committee chair is accountable to the Board of Directors. S/He is chosen based on qualifications (interest in topic) and experience. The term of the position will be reviewed annually. Chair responsibilities and basic tasks include:
- schedule dates, times and location for meetings
- ensure meeting are held in accordance with the ARHS by-laws
- establish and confirm an agenda for each meeting
- officiate and conduct meetings
- ensure committee complies with its responsibilities
- ensure that discussion on agenda items is on topic and productive
- ensure minutes are accurate, retained, and reviewed at the next meeting
All volunteers working with youth require a criminal records check, first aid is also an asset.
Travailler avec nous!
L’Avon River Heritage Society est toujours à la recherche de bénévoles pour aider avec les divers aspects du Musée.
Chaque été, nous embauchons deux étudiants pour aider avec les opérations quotidiennes de l’installation.
L’Avon River Heritage Society est toujours à la recherche de bénévoles pour aider avec les divers aspects du Musée.
Chaque été, nous embauchons deux étudiants pour aider avec les opérations quotidiennes de l’installation.