Summer Student Position
**Eligible only currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary institution
**Must be between the age of 15-30
**International students are not eligible
Position Title: Student Curator
Reports to: Museum Manager
Work Term: July 2026 - August 2026, 8 weeks
Employment Type: Seasonal
Review Period: End of Work Term
Revised: May 2026
Background:
The Whitney Pier Historical Society owns and operates a museum in the Pier
neighborhood of Sydney. The Society curates, researches and celebrates the
cultural, visible and ethnic diversity of the people, historically and currently, who
contribute to our understanding of our community through artifacts, writings and
engagement. Our purpose is to enrich our community by providing meaningful
experiences that build connection, community, memory, knowledge,
understanding and pride in our community.
Wages: $18 per hour plus 4% vacation pay
Hours: 35 hours a week with one hour unpaid lunch break each day. The
Museum operates 5 days a week, Monday-Friday.
The Student Curator will assist with the day-to-day operations of the museum,
assisting volunteers and visitors. The Student Curator will be responsible for
carrying out tasks associated with the care and management of the museum’s
artifact and archival collections. The Student Curator will accession artifacts and
work to maintain and update the Society’s collections management database,
CollectiveAccess. They will report directly to the Museum Manager. They will
greet and interpret the collection for visitors providing excellent customer service.
They will update and engage on social media.
Qualifications, Essential Experience & Skills
- Excellent customer service and communication skills
- Experienced and comfortable with technology
- English essential
Education
- Must be currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary institution
Abilities & Personal Suitability
- Oral and written communication
- Time management
- Initiative
- Reliability and dependability
- Adaptability
- Positive and professional attitude
Duties & Accountabilities
- Collections database records are edited for clarity, language and accuracy
- Artifact photography is conducted using the appropriate tools and method
- Artifacts are inventoried and catalogued according to the museum’s policies
- Duties associated with vetting, accessioning and deaccessioning of artifacts are carried out under the guidance of the Museum Manager.
- Regular housekeeping duties are completed to ensure museum site and collections are well-maintained
- Exhibits and displays are examined for signs of damage or deterioration and reported to the Museum Manager.
Day-to-day operations
- Visitor experience duties performed as required
- Conduct daily opening and closing operations of the museum
- Develop a well-rounded knowledge of the museum
- Assume additional duties as requested
Pay: $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
