Student Arts and Culture Ambassador

Job Status: Student Full-Time

Union: Non-Union

Number of Positions: 2

Hours of Work: 35

Location: CK Museums and Galleries

Reason for Vacancy: Seasonal

Closing Date: March 5, 2026, 11:59pm EST. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is currently accepting applications for Student Arts & Culture Ambassadors. These summer student positions will start approximately May 25, 2026, for a period up to August 31, 2026.

Job description

As a Student Arts & Culture Ambassador, you will be creating engaging, interactive guest experiences at all our museum and gallery sites – Chatham-Kent Museum, Ridge House Museum, Milner Heritage House, Thames Art Gallery, and ARTspace. The Student Ambassador’s primary responsibility is providing tours and encouraging visitors to explore and discover Chatham-Kent’s rich and fascinating arts and heritage. You will also have the opportunity to share your enthusiasm for culture and develop your skills in areas such as the planning and execution of heritage- and culture-based programming and collections management, as well as exhibition development and installation.

Essential responsibilities

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies


• Greet guests to create a welcoming and positive atmosphere


• Actively engage guests throughout their visit, take part in friendly conversation, lead visitors in some fun in our play-based learning spaces – the Imagination Station, Discovery Den, and Art Spark


• Ensure visitor safety by implementing the facilities’ emergency response policies and procedures


• Assist with daily/weekly cleaning of touchpoints and interactives, general housekeeping, and gardening duties


• Engage in new experiences and information in a fast-paced environment that is constantly evolving with new exhibits, activities, and programs


• Work with children in camps, events, or programs


• Work as a team, contribute positively to meetings, and assist with fun, hands-on events, programs, and exhibits


• Provide quality customer service while drawing on training, policies, and procedures to find solutions


• Supervise the space to ensure the safety of our guests and exhibits


• Perform sales transactions (cash, debit, credit) and create sales reports


• Perform clerical functions


• Other duties as assigned

Essential qualifications

• This position will be subject to receiving student subsidy funding from the Young Canada Works (YCW) program; to be eligible to apply to this position, applicants must meet the following criteria:
  
  
  
  • Are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (note: Non-Canadian students holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible)
  
  
  • Are legally entitled to work in Canada
  
  
  • Will be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment
  
  
  • Are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment
  
  
  • Will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with YCW
  
  
  • Have been a full-time student (as defined by your educational institution) in the semester preceding the YCW job
  
  
  • Intend to return to full-time studies in the semester following the YCW job
  
  
  
  


• Because of the responsibilities of this position, preference will be given to candidates who:
  
  
  
  • Are currently enrolled in a post-secondary program in a related field (i.e. history, curatorial studies, fine art, education, social sciences, etc.)
  
  
  • Possess customer service experience
  
  
  • Possess previous experience with planning and conducting public programs
  
  
  
  


• Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, strong research and writing ability


• An interest and knowledge of local arts, culture and heritage


• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills


• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with people of different ages and backgrounds

Other qualifications

• Previous experience working at a museum/gallery (or related environment) an asset

Certifications, memberships, licenses

• First aid certificate required


• High Five PHCD an asset

Work environment/hours of work

• This position works mostly indoors


• This position works weekday, afternoon, and weekend hours, with occasional evening hours and holidays

Driver’s licence/vehicle requirements

Because this position would be required to travel, a valid Province of Ontario driver's license with a reliable motor vehicle is preferred.

Background check requirements

Because of the environment this position will be working in, the successful candidate will be required to furnish an original Police Information Search (criminal reference check) (working with vulnerable persons) prior to commencement of employment.

Essential physical and/or safety requirements

• Walking: frequent walking on level surface


• Sitting: constant sitting in a chair (performing collections maintenance, can expect to sit at a computer for extended periods of time)


• Reaching: frequent reaching above shoulder, below shoulder, forward, handling (museum has floor to ceiling storage that is accessed by the curator on any given day, will be expected to assist the curator with this task)


• Standing: frequent standing inside (will stand while conducting tours of the museum; working on the museum gardens will involve standing outside)


• Hands: constant fine finger dexterity (movement), mousing (working with the collection will involve handling delicate and small objects; these objects are susceptible to damage and fine finger dexterity will be required when handling these objects; can expect to spend time at the computer when working with the collection or performing research)


• Climbing: frequent climbing ladders, stairs (ladders are used to assist with boxes and artifacts on our floor to ceiling shelves; the Ridge House is a two-storey historic home and is not accessible; will be required to climb stairs to provide tours of the museum and work with the collection stored on the second floor of the home)

Benefits

This summer student position has an hourly wage of $17.72 and will receive vacation and statutory benefits in accordance with Employment Standards Act.

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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

The Municipality does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision‑making tools in its recruitment or selection processes; all hiring decisions are made by people.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.