Historical Interpreter Jobs
Historical Interpreter jobs are open across museums, national parks, living history sites, and heritage organizations, from entry-level interpreter to lead and program director roles, with specializations in colonial history, military history, and Indigenous cultural interpretation. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Position Summary
The office manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Society, in consultation with the board chair and the treasurer, Main tasks include handling correspondence (print and email), managing the membership database and renewals, financial revenue, mailings, Mailchimp updates, social media posts, and web-based technology. The office manager is the personal face of the Society to members, potential members, persons contacting the Society for a variety of reasons, and at public events.
Reports to: Executive Committee (Board Chair and Treasurer) of the Swedish-American Historical Society; employed through North Park University.
About the Society
Established in 1948, the Swedish-American Historical Society https://www.swedishamericanhist.org/ is a non-profit organization centrally managed from its office on the campus of North Park University on Chicago’s north side. Members (across the United States and internationally) support the Society’s mission of studying Swedish emigration, the history and culture of Swedish immigrants and their descendants in North America, and the ongoing history of relations between the United States and Sweden, through research, publications, public programs, and archives.
Hours and Location: Up to 18 hours weekly based on current Society projects and events, averaging 12 hours weekly, On-site at North Park University 60%. Remote 40%. Occasional duties at special public events on evenings and weekends.
Essential Responsibilities
- Promptly receive and respond to all inquiries, including mail, email, and social media messages.
- Serve as members’ and the public’s first point of contact, promptly responding to inquiries and forwarding needs and concerns to the appropriate officer or committee.
- Manage Society membership database, mailing lists, renewals, and correspondence.
- Responsible for membership mailings, including packaging and mailing books.
- Process book and event sales.
- Process revenue and incoming donations using QuickBooks and drop-off bank deposits.
- Track donations and send acknowledgment letters.
- Update content on the website as needed, post on social media accounts, and send updates via MailChimp on a regular schedule in consultation with the board chair, treasurer, and Communications and Membership Committee.
- Maintain print and digital files and prepare records to transfer to the archives.
- Assist with meetings and special events in coordination with the Program Committee.
- Assist with meetings and production of newsletter Glimtar and other news announcements in coordination with the Communications and Membership Committee.
- Assist committees and board in scheduling and arranging video meetings.
- Organize and maintain office operations.
- Other office duties may be assigned.
Salary: $20 per hour
Requirements
Essential Qualifications
- Facility with software applications: MS Office Suite; Google drive and email; ACT! membership database (or similar platform); and Zoom meeting software.
- Proven office management, administrative or assistant experience
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Self-motivated.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Excellent time management skills and ability to multitask and prioritize work.
- Committed to building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Desired Qualifications/Skills/Experience
- WordPress website editing skills or willingness to be trained.
- QuickBooks, or willingness to be trained.
- MailChimp or similar messaging service.
Position Summary
The office manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Society, in consultation with the board chair and the treasurer, Main tasks include handling correspondence (print and email), managing the membership database and renewals, financial revenue, mailings, Mailchimp updates, social media posts, and web-based technology. The office manager is the personal face of the Society to members, potential members, persons contacting the Society for a variety of reasons, and at public events.
Reports to: Executive Committee (Board Chair and Treasurer) of the Swedish-American Historical Society; employed through North Park University.
About the Society
Established in 1948, the Swedish-American Historical Society https://www.swedishamericanhist.org/ is a non-profit organization centrally managed from its office on the campus of North Park University on Chicago’s north side. Members (across the United States and internationally) support the Society’s mission of studying Swedish emigration, the history and culture of Swedish immigrants and their descendants in North America, and the ongoing history of relations between the United States and Sweden, through research, publications, public programs, and archives.
Hours and Location: Up to 18 hours weekly based on current Society projects and events, averaging 12 hours weekly, On-site at North Park University 60%. Remote 40%. Occasional duties at special public events on evenings and weekends.
Essential Responsibilities
- Promptly receive and respond to all inquiries, including mail, email, and social media messages.
- Serve as members’ and the public’s first point of contact, promptly responding to inquiries and forwarding needs and concerns to the appropriate officer or committee.
- Manage Society membership database, mailing lists, renewals, and correspondence.
- Responsible for membership mailings, including packaging and mailing books.
- Process book and event sales.
- Process revenue and incoming donations using QuickBooks and drop-off bank deposits.
- Track donations and send acknowledgment letters.
- Update content on the website as needed, post on social media accounts, and send updates via MailChimp on a regular schedule in consultation with the board chair, treasurer, and Communications and Membership Committee.
- Maintain print and digital files and prepare records to transfer to the archives.
- Assist with meetings and special events in coordination with the Program Committee.
- Assist with meetings and production of newsletter Glimtar and other news announcements in coordination with the Communications and Membership Committee.
- Assist committees and board in scheduling and arranging video meetings.
- Organize and maintain office operations.
- Other office duties may be assigned.
Salary: $20 per hour
Requirements
Essential Qualifications
- Facility with software applications: MS Office Suite; Google drive and email; ACT! membership database (or similar platform); and Zoom meeting software.
- Proven office management, administrative or assistant experience
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Self-motivated.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Excellent time management skills and ability to multitask and prioritize work.
- Committed to building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Desired Qualifications/Skills/Experience
- WordPress website editing skills or willingness to be trained.
- QuickBooks, or willingness to be trained.
- MailChimp or similar messaging service.
See All 9 Historical Interpreter Jobs
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Find Historical Interpreter JobsHistorical Interpreter Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in historical interpreter jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in history, education, museum studies, or a related field
- Experience with first-person or third-person interpretive programming for public audiences
- Ability to research and accurately portray a specific historical period or character
- Strong verbal communication and public engagement skills with diverse visitor groups
- Physical ability to stand, walk, and perform demonstrations for extended periods outdoors
- Experience developing or delivering educational programs for school-age audiences
Tips for Your Historical Interpreter Job Search
Tailor your resume for living history
Highlight direct experience with first-person interpretation, period-accurate costuming, or character portrayals. Hiring managers at living history sites want to see specific eras you've worked in and the audiences you've engaged, not just generic public speaking credentials.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists historical interpreter openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target seasonal postings before spring
Many national parks and outdoor heritage sites hire interpreters on a seasonal cycle, with postings going live in late winter. Applying as soon as positions open gives you a real edge over candidates who wait until peak hiring season.
Show accessibility and education credentials
Employers increasingly ask for experience adapting programs for school groups, visitors with disabilities, or non-native speakers. Calling out specific educational programming you've developed or delivered separates you from candidates who only list performance experience.
Prepare a demonstration or teaching sample
Many historical interpreter interviews include a live performance segment or a short interpretive demonstration. Know which era or character you'll present, rehearse it for a general adult audience, and be ready to adjust your approach if the panel asks for a school-group framing.
Negotiate schedule flexibility early
Historical interpreter roles often require weekend, holiday, and evening availability tied to site operating hours. Clarify scheduling expectations during the offer stage rather than after you've accepted, so you can agree on terms that work for both sides.
Historical Interpreter Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most historical interpreters?
William & Mary, Minnesota State, and A-1 Limousine are hiring the most historical interpreters right now, with openings concentrated in Oklahoma, Illinois, and Colorado, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. National park concessionaires and large living history museums tend to post the highest volume of openings.
How many historical interpreter jobs are remote?
About 67% of historical interpreter openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most site-based roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote work include curriculum writing, interpretive script development, and virtual programming for schools and online audiences.
How do you become a historical interpreter?
Start by earning a degree in history, education, public history, or museum studies, then build hands-on experience through volunteer roles, internships, or reenactment groups focused on a specific era. Develop strong research habits and practice both first-person character portrayal and third-person facilitation styles. Many professionals also complete training programs offered by the National Association for Interpretation.
How do you get hired as a historical interpreter with little experience?
Volunteer at a local historic site, living history museum, or heritage festival to build documented interpretation experience before applying for paid roles. Highlight any relevant coursework, reenactment participation, or public speaking background in your application. Entry-level and seasonal positions at state parks and smaller museums are the most accessible starting points, since they prioritize enthusiasm and research skills over a long professional history.
What does the historical interpreter interview process look like?
Most interviews include an initial phone or video screen focused on your background and familiarity with specific historical periods, followed by an in-person or recorded demonstration where you portray a character or lead a short interpretive program. Interviewers often ask how you handle factually sensitive topics with diverse audiences and how you adapt your approach for different visitor age groups.
Where can I find and apply to historical interpreter jobs?
You can find and apply to historical interpreter jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your experience and historical focus area, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background and availability.
See All 9 Historical Interpreter Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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