Position Description –Walking Tour Intern

Dakota County Historical Society

December 20, 2017

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Walking Tour Intern (WTI) will work with the Dakota County Historical Society (DCHS) staff and the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureauto create an Historic Downtown Walking Tour for the Hastings Downtown Historic District.

The HI will utilize a previous walking tour and the “Hastings Historic Handbook” to thoroughly research and write a walking tour for downtown. Once the walking tour has been completed, the goal will be to take the information and provide walking tours of the downtown and to obtain a grant to create a digital version of the walking tour.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

I.Review

  1. The HI will review the previously created walking tour
  2. Review the Hastings Historic Handbook that was created in the 1980s for additional information
  3. Ensure that all buildings in the Hastings Downtown Historic District is included in the tour

II.Research

  1. Conduct research on each building within the walking tour
  2. Verify the information of the previous walking tour and / or Hastings Historic Handbook
  3. Find additional information that was not included in the previous walking tour
  4. Correct any inaccuracies that were found in the two different reports
  5. Find images of each building that can be used in the final walking tour
  6. Most of the research will be conducted in the City of Hastings, but you may be required to travel to other locations
  7. If travel is required, prior approval must be obtained in order to negotiate reimbursement for mileage

III.Write

  1. Utilizing the research conducted, write a new walking tour for only the Hastings Downtown Historic District
  2. Each building will have a minimum of a half page of written history
  3. Each building will also include at least one historic image of the building, when applicable
  4. The researcher will also write a 1 – 4 page history summary of the community that will be used as an introduction to the community and the walking tour

Classification

Intern / Volunteer

Average 15 hours/week

Skills and Experience

Minimum Education – High School Diploma

Required – excellent communication & writing skills; must be able to work in with a team, as well as independently; must be able to meet deadlines; must have experience with historical research

Desired – strong interest in history, ability to be flexible

Work Week

15 hours per week, 10 weeks

Flexible, but may require some evenings & weekends depending on research facilities hours of operation

Anticipate work taking 150 hours to complete, but can exceed if required

If interested in applying, please send a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications and ability to complete the project.

To apply online, send to: – include in the subject line “Walking Tour Intern”

To apply via mail, send to: Matt Carter

Dakota County Historical Society

130 3rd Avenue N

South St. Paul, MN 55075