Museum Tearoom & Retail Assistant

About the Position

The Museum

The Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum is an original Cole Harbour farm, cultivated continuously for over 200 years. It has operated as a community museum since 1978 and is owned and operated by the Cole Harbour Rural Heritage Society (CHRHS). The museum site is a rural oasis tucked into the middle of a now bustling urban centre, and consists of 12 buildings. Of those, two are historic houses, six are historic barns and outbuildings and the remainder are museum support structures. This "open air" museum also includes gardens, pastureland, pathways and a small wetland and natural reserve. In addition to the heritage buildings, the museum collection consists of approximately 4000 artifacts representing the evolution of agriculture in the area, along with the implements and personal items of the peoples who made Cole Harbour home. A small representation of traditional farm animals is kept on site along with heritage gardens and native species of trees and shrubs, creating our living collection. The site contains a busy tearoom and gift shop within the original farmhouse, as well as a working blacksmith shop, and is a cultural and social hub for the community of Cole Harbour. The Museum operates on a free will donation basis, welcoming over 20,000 visitors per year.

The Position

The Museum Tearoom & Retail Assistant supports the Rose & Kettle Tearoom and museum gift shop. Based in the historic Harris House, the museum’s main reception area, this position fulfills an essential front-of-house role, serving café and retail needs as well as supporting visitor services and creating a welcoming space.

Reporting to the Museum Director, duties of the Museum Tearoom & Retail Assistant shall include:

• Greet and welcome visitors in the tearoom/gift shop area; Assist museum café: delivering orders, clearing tables, preparing coffee/tea and espresso-based drinks, service check-ins, washing dishes, etc.;
• Provide visitor orientation support, promote the museum’s resources, inform of special events and/or programs, and seasonal areas of interest;
• Maintain reception area, keeping it clean, free of any debris and attractive;
• Maintain museum gift shop; cashing in purchases, keeping displays orderly and neat, replenishing stock, assisting in merchandising ideas;
• Emphasize and promote museum garden through reception display; cutting fresh flowers for reception area, showcasing harvest, etc.;
• Promote museum sustainability practices, such as emphasis on the role of the garden in tearoom operation (growing produce for use in tearoom, tearoom compost used in garden, etc.);
• Assist with daily opening and closing procedures; Other museum duties as required;
• Contribute to the overall success of the summer season.

Qualifications

Desired qualifications/skills include:

• experience working in a cafe or other restaurant or food service; excellent customer service and oral communication skills;
• ability to work well with others – tasks are generally collaborative though there is plenty of possibility for individual ideas;
• experience in customer service role considered an asset; planning and organizational skills;
• ability to multi-task and manage time effectively;
• a genuine interest in museums and cultural history;
• desire for continuous learning – each day brings new questions and challenges;
• experience in retail operations/cash handling is considered an asset.

Working Conditions

• Fast-paced environment;
• Standing for long periods of time;
• Frequent physical demands;
• Potential for burns, cuts, scrapes;
• Repetitive Tasks - lifting, bending, squatting; Ability to lift 50lbs/25kg.

The Cole Harbour Rural Heritage Society is committed to developing a workforce that is reflective of the diverse communities it serves, and welcomes applications from all eligible African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, women (applying for non-traditional positions), persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. Anyone meeting the skill requirements is invited to apply. Applicants must be eligible for the Canada Summer Jobs program (requirements can be found by scrolling to “What youth participants are eligible?”) here: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs/screening-eligibility.html#h2.03. Rate of pay is $15.50/hour for a 30 - 35 hour work week. This is a summer term position lasting approximately 20 weeks (Mid-May to Mid-October). Applications should consist of a cover letter and resume, and should be submitted as PDF documents. They will be accepted until the position is filled and should be addressed to Janice Kirkbright, Executive Director, Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum, 471 Poplar Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2W 4L2 or emailed to hello@coleharbourfarmmuseum.ca. The interview will be conducted by a panel of a minimum 2 persons consisting of Executive Director, Collections Manager, Food Services Manager, and/or Board Representative. This is a term position subject to funding from Canada Summer Jobs.

About the Company

Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum
471 Poplar Drive
Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia B2W4L2

Company Contact

Janice Kirkbright
hello@coleharbourfarmmuseum.ca
Preferred Contact: Email

Documents to be Forwarded

• Resume
• Cover letter