2016 Summer Student Jobs
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Kingston, Ontario
Please note: As this program is funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program, the candidate must meet the eligibility criteria:
- was a full-time student during the 2015-16 academic year
- is intending to return to school full-time for the 2016-17 academic year
- will be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the start of employment
Description
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is a historic church building in downtown Kingston, Ontario, with a rich architectural and social history. As well as being the only church with a peal of bells in Kingston, the church was the home of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A Macdonald, and was the founding seat of Queen’s University and Royal Military College.
St. Andrew’s Church will be celebrating its 200th Anniversary in 2017 – alongside Canada’s 150th Anniversary – so it is cause for celebration. The Church has also played an important historical role in the development of Queen’s University, which will be celebrating its 175th Anniversary in the fall of 2016.
To prepare for these celebrations, St Andrew’s will be hiring three (3) summer students: Historical Interpreter, Media and Communications Coordinator, and Artistic Interpreter. As well as working on future preparations, the three students will also maintain our ongoing summer tours program for the public, but in a scaled back manner from previous years.
We invite applications for the following three positions. If you are interested in one of these positions, we would like to hear from you. See application details below.
Historical Interpreter
In light of, and in preparation for, St Andrew's 200th anniversary and Canada's 150th anniversary both occurring in 2017, the Historical Interpreter student will use his/her skills to develop historical presentation of St Andrew’s Kingston and its members who shaped the nation. The student will:
-create physical museum-like exhibits of physical items, and cataloguing items
-conduct primary and secondary research to create signage for displays
-write content for print and digital production
-develop a lecture/ speaker series based on the connection between historical figures of St Andrew’s who contributed to the creation of Canada
-alongside other students, conduct tours of the historic church to tour groups and individuals two or more days per week
-assist with developing a promotion plan for historical events related to 2017 celebrations, and work with partners at Queen's University in developing historical presentations and materials for the University's 175th anniversary celebrations in October 2016
Media and Communications Coordinator
In light of, and in preparation for, St Andrew's 200th anniversary and Canada's 150th anniversary both occurring in 2017, the Media and Communications Coordinator student will use his/her skills to develop marketing and communications to support events and awareness of these national milestones, particularly focusing on members of St Andrew’s Kingston who shaped the nation. The student will:
-develop an overall marketing and promotions calendar and strategy for 2016 and leading into special events in 2017
-design graphically appealing communications materials and collateral
-make contact with local media and community partners to ensure promotional success leading to 2017 special events
-develop and build social media and web based presence
-research and develop interactive technologies (i.e. iPad programs that allow guests to view the site as it was in historical times)
-work with Historical Interpreter (student) and Artist (student) to create signage for museum gallery and other interpretive signage
-prepare other promotion material, media releases, etc., to support speaker series and other events; including working with partners at Queen’s University to support their 175th anniversary celebrations in October 2016
-alongside other students, conduct tours of the historic church to tour groups and individuals two or more days per week (assist in promoting these to specific tour groups, etc.)
Artistic Interpreter
In light of, and in preparation for, St Andrew's 200th anniversary and Canada's 150th anniversary both occurring in 2017, the Artistic Interpreter student will use his/her skills to interpret the history of St Andrew’s and its members who shaped the nation through artistic representation. The student will:
-research and develop an artistic message(s) and plans to visually represent the impact of St Andrew’s historically on Canada through artistic installations
-design and produce artistic pieces/ installations which will be on display during 2016 but especially during the 2017 events and festivities; the artist will self-determine the medium for artistic impression: it may be paint, clay, multi-media (etc.) or any combination
-the artist will design a schedule and theme for exhibits and will consider how to mount the displays within (and outside of) the St Andrew’s church space, and will also look at mounting displays in local galleries/ sites, as a way of outreach into the community
-the artist will also research existing artwork, including stained glass, photographs and paintings to provide insight into their history, as part of the overall historical interpretation in light of the 2017 celebrations
-alongside other students, this student will assist in conducting tours of the historic church to tour groups and individuals two or more days per week
-the student will develop arts-based activities that will engage the community, particularly youth, as a way of bridging awareness of Canada's 150th and St. Andrew's 200th anniversaries with present day realities in Kingston and Canada: these may be drop-in arts programs, or more regularly scheduled artistic activities
-the student will also develop an arts competition as another way to celebrate 2017 festivities
Qualifications
- Ability to learn and interpret the history and architecture of the church
- Proven skills in the roles above (e.g. research and writing, arts presentation, media communications)
- Strong public speaking presentation skills; experience as a tour guide or similar role; a flair for the dramatic and willingness to go beyond to ensure visitors get the most out of their visit
- Mature,responsible and highly organized; highly independent
- Able to deal with individuals and groups of varying backgrounds with confidence, tact and good judgment
- Technologically competent (office software, social media) as per the expectations of the role
- Bilingualism (French-English) desired; other languages considered an asset
Terms of Employment
- Rate of pay is $11.50 per hour, for 280 hours over the summer (per position)
- Based on full-time hours, negotiable schedule, for 8 to 10 weeks
- Work week will include two out of three Saturdays (for tours)
- Working alongside other students and volunteers
- Term runs frommid-June to mid-August
- Supervised by a volunteer Program Coordinator with weekly meetings
- Students may be required to use their own laptops for administrative work
To apply, please submit:
- a one page cover letter describing why you would be well suited to the position you are interested in, providing an example of relevant activities
- a résumé briefly describing your related experience (education, employment, volunteer work, and hobbies, if appropriate)
- contact information for two references we may contact
*Submit by email only to: and clearly indicate “Summer Job Application” in the Subject line.
DEADLINE to apply is May 22, 2016 at Midnight