Job Details

Description

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About the Calgary Stampede Foundation!

The Calgary Stampede Foundation provides young people with opportunities to discover and pursue their passions through programs like The Young Canadians School of Performing Arts, Calgary Stampede Showband, Band of Outriders and Calgary Stampede Showriders. These programs teach valuable skills and allow the opportunity to perform around the world. The Stampede’s state-of-the-art Youth Campus offers best practice learning, training, and performing facilities for these programs.

About the Sam Centre

For over 100 years the Calgary Stampede has been the heart and soul of our city. It is both where and how we come together to celebrate our unique brand of western hospitality and community spirit. As we embark on the next chapter of our story, we will deliver exceptional experiences that entertain, educate and engage visitors. We will build inspired spaces to bring our community together to celebrate, and we will further energize the brand that has come to define our city. Our vision is to create a world-class, year-round gathering place for the community.

In 2023, the Calgary Stampede Foundation will open Sam Centre, a year-round immersive experience that offers an intimate look at the rich history of the Stampede and its role in our community. Sam is anchored in the peoples, stories, and artifacts of the Calgary Stampede. It will engage and excite guests in Calgary’s Stampede story through immersive, interactive, story-driven experiences that put our guests at the center of the action.

As an organization that exists for the benefit of the community, inclusion and equity are woven into our core values of western hospitality, pride of place, integrity and commitment to the community. The world-class, year-round gathering place we have built for the community also welcomes visitors from around the world and those who are new to the local community. We know that blending diverse cultures with our long-standing traditions makes community spirit thrive.

Position Summary and Overview

The Interpreter, Sam Centre is a member of the Sam Centre Exhibits & Experience Team, reporting to the Community Program Specialist, Exhibits & Experience. This role is responsible for the execution of all Sam programming areas including public programs and activations, special events, digital programs, school programs, and corporate programs at Sam Centre. Core responsibilities include learning and leading experiences, participating in program evaluations, ensuring safety of guests, staff, and volunteers, and detailed program design. Your exceptional communication skills and visitor first approach will be essential in fostering a positive and enriching environment for Sam visitors.

The Interpreter (First Nations), Sam Centre is a public facing team member with relevant experience. The Interpreter (First Nations), Sam Centre is committed to Indigenous partnerships, accessibility, community engagement, anti-racism, and a guest experience philosophy that believes that the guest and storytelling are at the heart of decision-making. At its heart, this role is about integrating the Sam Centre into our community and expanding our reach.

This is a seasonal position from April to September, 2024. Wage starts at approximately $20.80.

Please note: this posting will close March 15

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:

Program Delivery and Visitor Experience

• Enthusiastically deliver and co-create Sam Centre programs such as guided tours, games, maker spaces, scavenger hunts, facilitating conversations, presentations, talks, school programs, custom programs and other experiences, that promote exceptional visitor experience.
• Create an engaging and interactive environment, fostering curiosity, learning, critical thinking, and meaningful connections. Facilitate interactive discussions and answer questions to enhance visitors understanding, cocreation, and appreciation.
• Adapt content delivery to suit different age groups and audience interests, ensuring a tailored experience.
• Assist with visitor flow and queuing, support special events with programming, activations, and contractor and guest support.
• Demonstrate western hospitality by assisting visitors with inquiries, event information and special requests.
• Provide comprehensive knowledge about Sam’s exhibits, stories, and history utilizing internal resources.
• Monitor visitor behaviour and reinforce Sam policies to maintain a safe and respectful environment.
• Stay up to date with current trends, research, and development in the attraction field.
• Participate in training sessions and workshops to improve facilitation and program techniques and stay informed about updates or new exhibits.
• Collect program statistics, utilize evaluation tools, collect, and incorporate feedback.
• Ensure safety and well-being of guests to Sam, employees, and volunteers.
• Maintain organization of program supplies.

Teamwork

• Nurture positive relationships with staff, volunteers, contractors, and other key stakeholders in the community.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of San Centre experiences and demonstrate lifelong learning with active participation in evaluation and training.
• Share unique skills and give and receive feedback from fellow facilitators, Coordinator, and Specialist to improve practices.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers, internal and external stakeholders and partners.

Development & Design

• Support the ideation or detailed design of experiences for new and existing exhibits, special events, and digital programming to enrich learning, engagement, long term impact, community connection and fun at Sam Centre
• Support community partnerships that facilitate co-created programs and contribute to a sense of belonging through Sam’s programs.
• Support the ongoing program evaluation and improvement processes, utilizing community collaboration and focusing on delivering a best practice programming environment.

Attributes

• Continuous and lifelong learner, keeping informed about current trends and practices in historical and cultural interpretation, education, agriculture, performance, museum, sustainability practices, and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Motivated, self-starter with a strong ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
• Enthusiasm, drive for results, and continuous improvement.
• Enjoys a variety of projects and can prioritize in a fast-paced dynamic environment. 
• Has an audience-centered, community-focused, progressive approach to engaging with visitors and leading programs.
• Curious and loves sharing that curiosity with young people.
• Fluency in multiple languages is an asset. Considered an equivalent to field of study and minimum experience.
• A friendly, approachable demeanor and a commitment to providing exceptional visitor experiences and western hospitality.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be proactive, optimistic and have worked in a dynamic environment and will hold the following qualifications:

• 1-2 years’ experience in the delivery of professional cultural programs in museum, educational, theatre, or cultural organizations or acceptable combination of education, training, experience, or traditional knowledge relevant to the position.
• Fluency in multiple languages is considered equivalent to field of study and minimum experience.
• Preference may be given to candidates who have completed greater than 1 years of postsecondary education, training, or experience in a related field such as, but not limited to: history, museum science, theater, street performer, magician, arts, rodeo, agriculture, live interpretation, or Calgary Stampede experiences and/or a combination of bi or multi-lingual.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, confident public speaking, outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability at connecting with audiences of all ages, interests and abilities.
• Knowledge of museum or attraction practices, protocols, and visitors service is advantageous.
• Familiar with audience orientated experiences to meet the needs of different audiences and interests.
• Ideally have a strong passion for the Calgary Stampede, rodeo, agriculture, history, or culture.
• Curious and quick learner, as the topics and themes explored will vary.
• Motivated, self-starter who can work well independently and within a team, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as: Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Outlook and Explorer.
• Ability to set priorities, balance demands of multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Proven track record of working cooperatively with a broad range of individuals.
• Knowledge of an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning and/or interpretive theory and techniques such as storytelling, demonstration, theatre programs, dialogue, participatory experiences, and guided walks is an asset.

 Working Conditions:

• This position is based in the Sam Centre, similar to an office environment; however, it requires considerable moving around the building, often outside, and occasionally to other sites.
• Continuous, repetitive arm, hand and finger movements. Reaching, bending, carrying and stair climbing. Extensive walking and standing.  Exposure to dust, fumes, gases, odor, animal dander and changes in temperature. Frequent lifting, pushing/pulling up to 50 lbs.  Adequate visual acuity is required.
• Occasional offsite location work in Calgary and/or surrounding areas.
• May require occasional vehicle use.
• Weekend/holiday/after hours work to be expected.
• Indoor/outdoor work environment, exposure to various weather elements for brief periods.

 To Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

All applicants are thanked in advance and only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Qualifications

Behaviors

Preferred

Thought Provoking

Team Player

Enthusiastic

Motivations

Preferred

Flexibility

Self-Starter

Ability to Make an Impact