ISETS Museum Assistant

Job No: TTES196

Location: Kamloops

Employment Status: Full-Time, Term Until August 29, 2025

No. of Vacancies: 1

Closing Date: 22 Apr 2025 PDT

  JOB POSTING

 

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) is a fast-growing vibrant organization committed to the development and progress of its Band Members and Community.  As such, the TteS invites applications from qualified, highly motivated, and dynamic individuals to fill the following position.

 

POSITION TITLE:        ISETS Museum Assistant

DEPARTMENT:          Language & Culture

SUPERVISOR:            Manager, Language & Culture

TERMS:                      Full Time, Temporary until August 29, 2025

REFERENCE #:           2025 - 048

ISETS REF #:               SS310-26032

 

This is an outside-funded position. All applicants must meet the ISETS eligibility criteria below:

ISETS eligibility requirements:

• Eligibility will be confirmed to the right to funding of Aboriginal status, non-status, and Inuit students.
• Individuals must reside within the ISETS catchment area.
• All individuals applying for the Summer Student program are required to contact the ATEC office (250-554-3556) to obtain a program referral from an ISETS employment counselor to confirm program eligibility before applying.  Please provide contract # SS310-26032 to the counselor.
• Must be a minimum of 15 years of age at the time of hiring.
• Must be a student who was a registered full-time student during the previous academic year and is returning to school full-time in the following academic year.
• Must have a valid Social Insurance Number.

 

Purpose of Position:

 

The Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park (SMHP) is a built upon the principles and traditions of the Secwépemc Nation, which is comprised of 17 Bands spread throughout the interior of British Columbia. The SMHP’s mandate flows from this collective membership, and the Secwépemc Nation’s ownership and right to steward their cultural heritage resources. The Museum displays its collection on the bottom floor of the Annex Building which is owned and maintained by the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS). The public is invited to explore rotating and permanent exhibits Monday through Friday.

 

The purpose of this position is to provide paraprofessional support within the Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park and to work as an apprentice to the Curator, Archivist, and Registrar/Staff Supervisor. The work is of varied nature including proper care and handling of museum collections, cataloguing and inventory control, researching, exhibit design, planning, fabrication and other duties as assigned by the Registrar/Staff Supervisor.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

 

Strategic leadership:

In collaboration with the Museum Registrar/Staff Supervisor will plan, develop and long and short-term goals and objectives for their summer work. 

Role of the Museum Assistant:

 

This position is responsible for providing assistance in the following areas, including:

Community Relations

• • • • Interacting respectfully with TteS members, Elders, and stakeholders inside and outside of the facility
      • Researching and recording information that may be confirmed with TteS and/or Secwépemc Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers and transferred to the museum for posterity.

Educating the Public

• Providing general information pertaining to the archives, in person, over the phone, or via email.
• Helping with hands-on learning of the museum and information management.
• Assisting the Curator with the setting up exhibits.

Museum / Archives Collection

• Inventorying and organizing Collections, Archives, and Repository.
• Cataloging, scanning, indexing, and describing additions or unlisted items in the museum archives, collections, and repository after receiving on the job training
• Assisting in the overhauling and updating of existing collections and files.
• Maintaining and updating the content management system (CMS) with the supervision of the Museum Registrar/Staff Supervisor.
• Assisting with basic accessioning of archives including description using Rules for Archival Description (RAD).
• Assisting with basic care and handling related to the preservation of Collections.
• Assisting the Archivist with the inventory and organization of Archives.
• Labelling artifacts using archival techniques under the supervision of the Registrar/Staff Supervisor, Curator, or Archivist.
• Will move materials including boxes (under 30 pounds) throughout the museum, utilizing a dolly or trolley, or as needed another staff member for heavier items.

Assistant Work

• Assisting the Archivist with Archives management and research projects
• Assisting the Curator with Exhibit planning and design projects
• Assisting the Registrar/Staff Supervisor with various projects
• Support the Museum Administrator as needed with job duties

 

Performs all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the TteS policies, standards, and procedures. Maintains confidentiality on all matters relating to the affairs of the TteS. Will learn and practice safety and emergency policies procedures.

 

Professional Certification, Education, and Experience:

 

A Post-Secondary Student, ideally in a History or a Museum studies program. Other Arts and Humanities may be considered. Prior museum experience would be considered an asset but is not required.

• Understanding or willingness to learn Secwépemc values and cultural protocols
• Understanding or willing to learn the role of Archives in museums
• Understanding or willing to learn the role of Collections in museums
• Understanding or willing to learn how exhibits through their design and fabrication communicate history, culture, and language to an audience
• Understanding or willingness to learn how an Archaeological Repository functions in relation to Museums, communities, and Nations

 

Museum Assistant Characteristics & Qualifications

• Be organized
• Must be tactful and diplomatic
• Communicate effectively with people of all ages
• Must work well independently and as a member of a team
• Have excellent problem-solving skills
• Have a love for history and diverse cultures
• Present a professional appearance
• Be reliable and punctual
• Strong desire to learn and take part in the role museums play in serving their communities

 

Time Commitment

Full-Time employment; 35 hours per week (flexible work week). Additionally, the Museum Assistant must attend all training sessions.

 

Training & Orientation

The supervisor will provide training for the Assistant.

 

• Have desire to learn about TteS, and the museum’s history and current events.
• Willing to learn Secwépemc Language, History, and Culture.
• Willing to participate in Secwepemctsín classes should they become available.
• Willing to learn more about Secwepemc songs and dances.

 

 

HOURS OF WORK:          7-hour day shifts.

PAY GRADE:                      $24 per hour

 

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc thanks all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

In accordance with Section 16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, it is TteS Policy to practice preferential hiring for Aboriginal peoples. Candidates who wish to qualify for preferential consideration must self-identify.

Deadline for the Job posting is April 22, 2025, by 2:00pm

 

Submit Job Application Form, cover letter, resume, and references.

online: https://tkemlups.ca/employment/

or at our Human Resources office #200 – 330 Chief Alex Thomas Way.

Office Hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm &

closed for lunch from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

 

We require each applicant to fill out.

an online application form which can be found at:  https://tkemlups.ca/employment/

 

Any late submissions or submissions without the job application form will not be considered.