Jobs at Coggeshall Farm Museum

Part-time Ticketer / Interpreter

Under the supervision of the Site Manager, the Ticketer/Interpreter will sell admission tickets to individuals and group visitors using the automated ticketing system, Altru. As well as engaging and educating Coggeshall Farm Museum’s wide audience from school groups to front gate visitors, and special programming throughout the year. This position is a part-time, seasonal position, which requires weekday, weekend, and holiday availability.

Essential Duties:

• You are interested in history, and sharing it in tangible ways
• You thrive working with people, and children specifically
• You are interested in history, and sharing it in tangible ways
• You are adaptable, and able to pivot quickly when needed
• Provide the best experience for all visitors
• Provide program and visit-related information to all visitors and prospective visitors both in-person and on the phone. Greet and orient audiences to the Coggeshall Farm Museum. Promote awareness of programming, and visitor resources.
• Maintain proper accounts of currency in the cash drawer.
• Follow established procedures in the handling of cash, negotiables, and related records to safeguard CFM’s finances and ensure against loss.
• Shifts include ticket sales, reconciliation of receipts and cash, and preparation of daily sales reports. Responsible for troubleshooting and problem solving in order to reconcile transactions
• Alert the CFM Site Manager quickly, effectively and appropriately to individual cases of unfavorable customer service or special needs and respond if necessary, within clearly established guidelines
• Ensure the safety, security, and cleanliness of the work area.  Share responsibility with all staff for the clean and neat appearance of the entire museum.
• Actively participate in a culture of continuous improvement seeking and suggesting ways to better respond to visitor needs
• Availability to work special evening programs.
• Promote and communicate the benefits of Memberships and season passes. Processes membership applications including upgrades.
• Understand and observe all CFM policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Being a team player and providing the best experience for CFM guests

• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences
• 1-3 months customer services or counter sales experience preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrate the ability to multi-task and work in a high paced environment
• Must be reliable, punctual, accountable and professional
• Must have excellent customer service skills, be courteous, efficient and possess a positive attitude
• Must be able to work and support colleagues in a close-knit and group environment.
• Ability and willingness to learn – and stay updated – on CFM operations, projects and programs.
• Ability to maintain a calm exterior presence during periods of high volume, high stress or unusual events
• Basic math and computer skills are required. Demonstrated experience with POS systems  is desired
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Suite

Through the partnership with OSV, there will be some training opportunities in Sturbridge MA. All candidates will need to pass Background and Criminal Checks.

Interested applicants should apply to jobs@osv.org

Farm Manager

Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) is seeking a Farm Manager for Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol, RI (CFM) to create, develop, and manage the museum’s Agriculture and Horticulture program. This position will be a member of an exciting new partnership between OSV and CFM. Key responsibilities include day-to-day management and oversight of the museum’s animal program, fields, pasture, and gardens.

The Farm Manager reports to the Site Manager of CFM and works closely with the Agriculture Coordinator at OSV

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A) in Museum Studies /Education or equivalent from four-year College.
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in animal husbandry practices.
• 3 to 5 years interpreting/education experience.
• One year or more experience managing, training and mentoring staff.
• Proven ability to manage and deliver farm based programs including but not limited to, day-to-day management of staff, volunteers and interns; daily and seasonal activities, care and upkeep of all farm spaces, buying and organizing supplies.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the Coggeshall Agriculture and Horticulture program, including day-to-day management of paid staff, volunteers and interns; oversight of the farm based programs throughout the museum.
• Manage all animal husbandry functions of the museum: feed schedule, wellness checks, vet visits, breeding, buying and selling of appropriate animals.
• Oversee site management and upkeep, including field management, mowing, and fence work.
• Working with the Site Director & Education Coordinator to show a complete story of late 18^th century coastal farming life.
• In coordination with the Site Director & Education Coordinator, manage all staff/volunteer operations and learning targets for the museums visitor experience.
• In collaboration with experts at OSV and the Site Director, develop and execute a plan for the Agriculture and Horticulture interpretive story at CFM.
• Work directly with the Site Director and Education Coordinator to plan, develop, and implement immersive educational programs for the local school audience.
• Bring the CFM Farm program to life through interpretation, teaching, facilitation, and/or performance programs.
• Serve as an active ambassador and advocate for CFM Agriculture program both within the museum and externally.
• Day-to-day responsibilities including recruiting, training, managing and evaluating staff and volunteers; planning, assigning, directing and observing work; and conducting performance appraisals.
• Develop innovative farm-based programming to draw new visitors to the museum.
• Plan, organize, lead, and/or participate in all special events and work with OSV’s Marketing department to promote programs.
• Successfully balance face-to-face communication with use of technology in order to ensure clarity of communication with colleagues.
• 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, participation, tours, immersion, demonstration, recreation, orientation, role-play, performance, lecture and others.
• Preserve the historic buildings, gardens, landscapes, artifacts and reproductions in CFM by caring for them properly.
• Ensure the safety, security and cleanliness of work areas; Safeguard visitors and staff by being alert to foreseeable health and safety hazards.
• Understand and observe all OSV policies and federal, state and local laws
• Work evening programs such as but not limited to Halloween and Christmas programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Site Director.

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 may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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

• Proven knowledge and passion for the subject and activities of historic farm based education.
• 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 prior to taking action.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be outside for long periods of time and stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Proven ability to recruit, train, manage and motivate a diverse workforce.
• Be honest, reliable, and demonstrate a passionate commitment to the interpretation/education field.
• Attention to detail, organization, quality of guest experience and customer service.
• Able to communicate ideas and information clearly both verbally and in written format.
• 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

Interested applicants should apply to jobs@osv.org

Education Coordinator

Coggeshall Farm Museum seeks a creative, forward thinking, and highly motivated museum educator to serve in a new position as Education Coordinator in Bristol, Rhode Island. Under the general supervision of the Site Director at Coggeshall Farm Museum, the Education Coordinator will lead the creation and execution of Coggeshall’s museum education programs. This position will design and lead programing targeted to the school audience, also including summer camps, scout programing, and homeschool programming. This is a unique opportunity to join the museum as it builds new offerings and initiatives in partnership with Old Sturbridge Village.

This position is Full Time, Salaried, Exempt and Benefit Eligible. Weekday, evening, holiday, and weekend hours are required to fulfill program needs.

Education & Experience

• 2 to 5 years working with children in a museum, school, camp, or childcare environment

• Bachelor’s degree in history, art history, education, museum studies, or a related field, master’s degree preferred
• Experience designing and implementing programs for public audiences
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences
• Must be organized as well as flexible, and able to be self-directed in prioritizing tasks and work
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, a sense of humor, and experience working on a team
• Must have a high threshold for kid-related chaos and the ability to deal with the unexpected

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following

• Design and implement in-person school field trip programs for a K-12 audience. This will include outreach to schools and developing relationships with local educational institutions.
• Design and oversee a summer camp, scout day, and homeschool day program. This position will be tasked with creating, growing & evaluating these programs. Including developing new programs and content in partnership other CFM & OSV staff. Furthermore, working with marketing and development staff to promote and fund these programs.
• Work with Old Sturbridge Village staff to assist with the creation of virtual content for both Coggeshall and Village programming
• Serve as an active ambassador and advocate for Coggeshall Farm Museum’s Educational programs

• Mentor and train paid staff, volunteers/docents, fellows and interns
• 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.
• Teach museum education programs as needed
• Work public interpretation shifts including serving as a manager during those shifts
• Work evening programs such as Evenings at the Farm, Fairytale Farms, Phantoms of Fire, Christmas by Candlelight, or other evening shifts as required.
• Other duties as required

Interested applicants should apply to jobs@osv.org