Heritage Interpreter

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Museum and Other Related Interpreters (5212.3) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Technical Occupations Related to Museums and Art Galleries (F112) 
• 2011 NOC: Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries (5212) 
• 2016 NOC: Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries (5212) 

Duties and responsibilities may vary considerably from one position to another but, in general, heritage interpreters:

• Research information relevant to the museum, gallery, exhibit or historical site
• Welcome visitors and provide orientation and general information
• Interact with visitors, respond to questions, conduct visitor surveys, monitor visitor activity and handle emergency situations (for example, medical emergencies, building evacuations)
• Prepare brochures, write newspaper articles and assist with exhibit or display development
• Design, develop and maintain props and teaching aids (for example, historical or theatrical costumes)
• Develop, present and evaluate educational programming and demonstrations for the general public or particular audiences (for example, young children, students, seniors)
• Engage the visiting public in an entertaining and informative manner either face-to-face or through the use of distance learning or video conferencing technology
• Coordinate volunteer activities and recruit, schedule, supervise and evaluate volunteers
• Assist with marketing and promoting programs and events (for example, engage in social media interactions)
• Assist with general facility operations (for example, collect statistics and assist in preparing reports)

To make information interesting and meaningful to visitors, heritage interpreters may act the part of a real or fictional character, or provide hands-on learning opportunities.

Heritage interpreters may work indoors in museums or galleries, or outdoors at historical or heritage sites. They may spend much of their time on their feet. A costume or uniform often is required. As part of role-playing, they may be required to lift and carry objects or perform physical activities (for example, chopping wood or weaving).

Hours of work may be part time or full time, and often include evenings and weekends.

Interpreters may be employed full time, part time or on a contract basis by:

• Parks
• Historic sites
• Museums
• Interpretive centres
• Galleries
• Zoos
• Botanical gardens
• Science centres
• Private tour operators

Many positions are seasonal. These temporary positions can provide excellent experience for students or supplementary income for retired or semi-retired persons. Competition for permanent positions is keen so related work experience (as an employee or volunteer) is essential.

Experienced interpreters may:

• Advance to supervisory and management positions such as chief interpreter, program coordinator, facility manager, district interpretation or education supervisor
• Move into administrative positions in planning, operations or programming
• Move into related fields such as commercial or tour company guiding, public relations, marketing or education

In some organizations, advancement to supervisory and management positions requires a graduate degree and years of related experience.

Heritage interpreters are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 5212: Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries. In Alberta, 84% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Information, Culture and Recreation [pdf]
• Public Administration [pdf]

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

In Alberta, the 5212: Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Alberta Museums Association website: www.museums.ab.ca

American Alliance of Museums website: aam-us.org

Canadian Museums Association website: www.museums.ca

emerit website: emerit.ca

International Council of Museums (ICOM) website: icom.museum

Interpretation Canada website: interpretationcanada.ca

Interpretive Guides Association (IGA) website: interpretiveguides.org

National Association for Interpretation [United States] website: www.interpnet.com

The Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums website: alhfam.org

Tourism HR Canada website: tourismhr.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.