Historical Interpreter III - TP60083589

Agency
Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources
Division
Tryon Palace Historic Sites , Gardens
Job Classification Title
Historical Interpreter III (S)
Position Number
60083589
Grade
NC05
About Us
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) enriches people’s lives through education and stewardship of North Carolina’s natural and cultural resources. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo, the Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, the North Carolina Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. These programs and places unite North Carolinians, create a shared identity, and provide common ground. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.
Description of Work
The Historic Interpreter III leads daily tours, manages program operations and budgets, and supports the Education Branch with limited supervision. They provide interpretation across all on‑site buildings, assist weekend and special‑event operations, and serve as the Certified Safety Officer for small arms and artillery. The role includes recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteers, as well as maintaining training materials and ensuring proper historical clothing and gear.
Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
· Deliver daily tours and tailored historical interpretation across all site buildings while supporting weekend, special event, and school group operations.
· Manage program needs including budgeting, coordination with Education Branch staff/volunteers, and assisting in the development of new events and long‑term planning.
· Recruit, train, and communicate with volunteer groups, including administering annual small arms and artillery instruction and coordinating required uniforms and gear.
· Represent the organization professionally in interactions with visitors, donors, partners, and collaborate effectively across departments with strong written and verbal communication.
· Serve as Certified Safety Officer for 18th–19th century small arms and artillery, ensuring compliance and overseeing required weapons-related training.
· Provide occasional logistical support (event setup/takedown, outreach activities, administrative tasks) when not in conflict with core interpretive or safety duties.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.
Recruitment Range: $33,902.00 - $42,500.00
To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.
Candidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following are preferred:
Working knowledge of state and national history.
Considerable knowledge of site history
Ability to adapt historical tours to age, interest level, special interests or time constraints.
Ability to obtain certified safety officer licensure through DNCR to serve as site Certified Safety Officer for 18th and 19th century small arms and artillery.
Ability to organize and prioritize the work schedules of others to manage multiple tasks and/or projects.
Position/Physical Requirements
Must be able to work the schedule of Tuesday - Saturday 8:00am - 5:00pm with occasional evening and holiday work required as needed.
Must be able to work in a wide variety of environments, including indoors, outdoors, inclement weather, heat, cold, smoke, etc.
***SIGN-ON BONUS BEING OFFERED***
A sign-on bonus of $1500 is being offered for eligible candidates. See eligibility at https://oshr.nc.gov/policies/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy
*Payout contingent on funding availability*
This position is located at:
Tryon Palace
529 S. Front St.
New Bern, NC 28562
Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma
AND
four years of experience in giving or developing museum tours;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Section/Unit Description
The Tryon Palace Education Section is dedicated to facilitating engaging, educational experiences for all visitors. We provide guided tours, school programs, and living history interpretations that showcase the diverse social and cultural history of Tryon Palace and its surrounding buildings. Our team specializes in costumed interpretation, bringing the past to life through daily tours, special events, and collaborative efforts with other departments.
Division Description
The purpose of Tryon Palace is: To educate growing numbers of North Carolinians and visitors to this state about the contributions made by the inhabitants of New Bern and the central North Carolina coast to the history and culture of this state and the United States from the time of initial European-American contact through the nineteenth century. This mission will be carried out through historical research; acquisition, interpretation, and preservation of historic objects and buildings; re-creation of period room settings and gardens based on historical documentation; public outreach in the form of tours, symposia, workshops, and seasonal interpretation; and dissemination of historical information through staff presentations and by other means. All historical interpretation conducted as part of this mission shall be based on factual, balanced scholarship. https://www.tryonpalace.org/
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Supplemental and Contact Information
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence.
We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.
Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.
Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
Due to the vo

Skills
Documentation