Employment - STUDENT CURATOR

STUDENT CURATOR

Whitney Pier Historical Museum

Full-Time Work-Term Seasonal

Weekdays

Description
Description

Student Curator / WHITNEY PIER HISTORICAL MUSEUM

88 MOUNT PLEASANT STREET, SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA,  B1N 2G1

  

Summer Student Position

**Eligible only currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary institution

**Must be between the age of 15-30

**International students are not eligible


Position Title: Student Curator

Reports to: Museum Manager

Work Term: July 6 2026 - August 28 2026, 8 weeks

Employment Type: Seasonal

Review Period: End of Work Term

Revised: May 2026


Background:

The Whitney Pier Historical Society owns and operates a museum in the Pier

neighborhood of Sydney. The Society curates, researches and celebrates the

cultural, visible and ethnic diversity of the people, historically and currently, who

contribute to our understanding of our community through artifacts, writings and

engagement. Our purpose is to enrich our community by providing meaningful

experiences that build connection, community, memory, knowledge,

understanding and pride in our community.


Wages: $18 per hour plus 4% vacation pay

Hours: 35 hours a week with one hour unpaid lunch break each day. The

Museum operates 5 days a week, Monday-Friday.


The Student Curator will assist with the day-to-day operations of the museum,

assisting volunteers and visitors. The Student Curator will be responsible for

carrying out tasks associated with the care and management of the museum’s

artifact and archival collections. The Student Curator will accession artifacts and

work to maintain and update the Society’s collections management database,

CollectiveAccess. They will report directly to the Museum Manager. They will

greet and interpret the collection for visitors providing excellent customer service.

They will update and engage on social media.

All training is provided. Supervision and support will be provided during the initial

training period and throughout the work term.


Qualifications, Essential Experience & Skills

  • Excellent customer service and communication skills
  • Experienced and comfortable with technology
  • English essential


Education

  • Must be currently enrolled full-time in a post-secondary institution


Abilities & Personal Suitability

  • Oral and written communication
  • Time management
  • Initiative
  • Reliability and dependability
  • Adaptability
  • Positive and professional attitude


Duties & Accountabilities

  • Collections database records are edited for clarity, language and accuracy
  • Artifact photography is conducted using the appropriate tools and method
  • Artifacts are inventoried and catalogued according to the museum’s policies
  • Duties associated with vetting, accessioning and deaccessioning of artifacts are carried out under the guidance of the Museum Manager.
  • Regular housekeeping duties are completed to ensure museum site and collections are well-maintained
  • Exhibits and displays are examined for signs of damage or deterioration and reported to the Museum Manager.

Day-to-day operations

  • Visitor experience duties performed as required
  • Conduct daily opening and closing operations of the museum
  • Develop a well-rounded knowledge of the museum
  • Assume additional duties as requested
How To Apply

Whitney Pier Historical Museum will be accepting applications for this position via email. Please follow the instructions below carefully. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

Please email us your resume and cover letter at piermuseum88@gmail.com, and include “2026 Summer Application” in the subject line.

Email Address: piermuseum88@gmail.com Apply here

Intended Audience

This employment opportunity is open for: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents who are able to work for any employer in Canada (student permit, open work permit holders), unless specific eligibility criteria are noted in the above job posting.

Location Information
Community
Sydney
County
Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Province
Nova Scotia
Country
Canada
Opportunity Information
Employer
Whitney Pier Historical Museum
NOC Code
—
Experience Required
An Asset
Available Openings
1
Pay Type
Hourly
Pay Period
Weekly
Remuneration Per Pay Period
$523.00 per week
Estimated Weekly Hours
35.00
Start Date
July 6th 2026
End Date
August 28th 2026
Language
English
Language Proficiency Level
Posted on
May 22nd 2026
Expires
June 27th 2026