Old Sturbridge Village (OSV), a living history museum in central Massachusetts, is seeking a full-time interpreter to work and study within OSV’s music and performance program, starting in summer 2024. As a living history site dedicated to the history of early 19th-century rural New England, a major component of OSV’s mission is its commitment to entertaining and educating through historical musical performances. This position will provide leadership & oversight of the day-to-day operation of the music program and participation in our daily and special event performances. This role will contribute to Old Sturbridge Village’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This position will serve as the frontline mentor of staff, volunteers, interns, and fellows regarding historical music programs.  

Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, a country store, bank, a working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village. Old Sturbridge Village, a museum and learning resource of New England life, invites each visitor to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration through the exploration of history.

Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff, and OSV community members. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following:

• ·         Provide support to the program for the day-to-day operation of the Historical Music Program, including skills such as performing on historically appropriate instruments
• ·         Mentor and train other staff, volunteers, interns and fellows in Historical Music & Performance  

• Provide music when necessary for daily programming and events
• Provide music when necessary for partnering institutions such as Old Sturbridge Academy, Worcester Cultural Academy, and Coggeshall Farm Museum
• Serve as liaison with OSV’s partnering groups of volunteer singers and volunteer dancers.
• Work with program leadership to plan music for Public Programs and work with outside musicians as necessary
• Oversee and maintain OSV musical training materials and reproduction instruments

• ·         Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

• Maintain safety, good order, and cleanliness of all workspace spaces and share responsibility with all staff for the clean and neat appearance of the entire museum
• Understand, identify and appropriately respond to the multiple learning styles of a diverse audience that includes students, families, and other life-long learners. Actively engage these audiences using a range of interpretation techniques including hands-on, tours, immersion, demonstration, recreation, orientation, role-playing, performance, lecture, and other techniques
• Work closely with and mentor participants in Village educational programs, including Old Sturbridge Academy, Discovery Adventures, Junior Interns, College Interns, and Fellows
• Work towards mastery of the information and skills necessary to teach specific aspects of the museum to visitors
• Work with colleagues (paid staff, volunteer staff, interns, and fellows) in the development, training, implementation, and review of programs and experiences that meet the diverse needs of OSV audiences
• Preserve the artifacts, reproductions, and buildings in the Village by caring for them properly
• This full-time benefited position requires five days per week of unrestricted availability with weekend & holiday work

• ·         Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

• Work evening programs such as Christmas by Candlelight, Phantoms by Firelight, Illuminations, or other evening shifts as needed
• Participate in special event programs and other special activities; work with Marketing to promote all museum activities. Where appropriate, take a major role in special programs requiring specialized skills in teaching, facilitation, interpretation, or performance
• Participate in various projects or tasks assigned by directors, and coordinators
• Safeguard visitors and staff by being alert to foreseeable health and safety hazards

• ·         Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

• Understand and observe all Village policies

Education and/or Experience: 

• ·         Associates degree (A.A) or equivalent from a two-year College or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• ·         Demonstrated proficiency on a musical instrument related to early 19^th century rural New England, ideally fiddle, violin, cello, and piano preferred; flute, guitar and/or other instruments a plus.
• ·         Ability to research and develop appropriate historical repertoire consistent with OSV’s interpretive and educational goals.
• ·         One year of experience working with the public in a museum, educational institution or historical society
• ·         Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences.
• ·         Performance & Education experience preferred.

Skills & Abilities 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• ·         Excellent face-to-face communication skills, with the ability to communicate ideas and information clearly both verbally and in written format

• Ability to establish own work plan and priorities, using established procedures to assure timely completion of assigned work in conformance with departmental policies and practices; problems lacking clear precedent are reviewed with supervisor before taking action 
• Be honest, reliable, and demonstrate a passionate commitment to the interpretation/education field
• Attention to detail, organization, quality of guest experience, and customer service
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions and working in front of a fire
• The employee may frequently be required to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or team lift up to 75 pounds
• Strive to build and maintain productive and respectful relationships with all team members and guests
• Must be a team player and flexible to assist in other divisions when the need arises.
• Effective problem solver – anticipating, preventing, and managing issues as they arise.
• Must be an effective listener and be able to understand and clarify concerns and issues
• Must be able to work varied shifts and hours including weekends, nights, early mornings and holidays

Individuals in this position are subject to a Criminal Conviction Record check upon hire and every other year thereafter.

Old Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or membership in the uniformed services. 

Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at jobs@osv.org