Hamilton Conservation Authority has an full-time opportunity for a
Program Assistant - Westfield Heritage Village Conservation Area
The Program Assistant supports the planning, delivery, and evaluation of public events and programs, educational programs, and interpretive activities at Westfield Heritage Village Conservation Area. This position also leads and supervises a dynamic team of Education Interpreters who provide accurate and engaging experiences aligned with curriculum and visitor needs. This role involves providing leadership, hands-on support in program delivery, coordination, preparation of materials, and general visitor interaction. This position also conducts high-quality historical research that informs interpretation, education, collections, and public programming. Collaborating closely with interpretive, curatorial, and education teams, this position helps translate research findings into engaging narratives, scripts, training materials, and hands-on activities.
Westfield Heritage Village is an over 150-hectare property within the City of Hamilton, midway between Cambridge and Hamilton near Rockton. Westfield operates as a living history museum and conservation area that provides special events for the general public, educational programs for students, unique heritage activities, weddings, business rentals and filming opportunities. Our goal is to connect people to both cultural heritage experiences and nature. Our dedicated and energetic team is looking for someone to work in a collaborative manner and be prepared to jump in and help achieve our goals.
Responsibilities
Program Development and Delivery
- Assist with leading and supporting on-site programs, tours, workshops, demonstrations, and activities for a diverse audience including families, adults, seniors, school groups, and corporate groups.
- Provide engaging, accurate historical information in both costumed and non-costumed settings. This includes natural areas like our gardens and conservation areas.
- Facilitate hands-on activities, craft demonstrations, and interactive learning
- Participate in brainstorming and planning meetings for new programs and site storytelling initiatives and events.
- Maintain a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for visitors and volunteers of all Show leadership in safety related matters which includes providing specific training to staff and volunteers and ensuring compliance of education staff to all safety policies and procedures
Program Preparation and Logistics
- Set up and dismantle materials, equipment, and spaces before and after programs or events.
- Prepare educational materials, teaching props, craft supplies, tools, and demonstration items.
- Support the organization and maintenance of education areas, costumes, and storage spaces.
Visitor Services and Engagement
- Help to design programs and events that are immersive, accessible and engaging for different As well as ensuring that these programs align with our time periods, interpretive themes and authenticity standards.
- Collect feedback from visitors and teachers to help improve future Monitor education staff and provide constructive feedback.
- Conduct primary and secondary research on Westfield’s time periods, themes, people, artifacts and cultural context.
- Maintain research material that supports site authenticity, interpretive accuracy and new program development.
- Identify gaps in interpretation and propose research-led
- Maintain clear research files and annotated notes that are accessible to all staff and volunteers.
- Prepare reports and internal presentations summarizing findings and be prepared to present research to colleagues through staff training sessions, workshops and informal talks.
Interpretive Support
- Assist public program interpreters and educators with research-based storytelling, demonstrations, and historical scenes including fact-checking and narrative development.
- Participate in training to ensure accuracy, safety, and consistency in all interpretive activities which includes collaborating with staff and volunteers to create research-based scripts and training guides.
- Support inclusive interpretation that reflects diverse histories and
Administrative and Team Support
- Help create and organize program materials such as training materials and supply inventories.
- Help organize, conduct and attend staff and volunteer training, meetings, and development sessions.
- Assist with special events, seasonal programs, and community outreach
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Post-secondary education in History, Education, Museum Studies, or related
- Knowledge and/or experience with educational programming, the Ontario school curriculum and teaching techniques.
- Experience working with the public, children, or in an educational, cultural, or tourism setting. Experience with living history, hands-on learning or outdoor education is strongly preferred.
- Experience in historical research, archival work or museum research an
- Experience with material culture studies, living history or heritage interpretation an asset.
- Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal As well as strong research, analytical and writing skills.
- Have an interest and ability to interpret complex historical information for a general audience.
- Familiarity with archival research methods and digital research
- Excellent oral communication skills including comfortable speaking with groups of all ages.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, visitor-focused Ability to work with volunteers.
- Reliability, adaptability, and willingness to learn new
- Ability to work outdoors and engage in hands-on, sometimes physical activities including the ability to lift 11 kg or 25 pounds.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a
Working Conditions
This position will be based at Westfield Heritage Village Conservation Area located at 1049 Kirkwall Road, Rockton, Ontario. Working hours will generally be between 8:30 and 5:00pm, based on a 40-hour work week. Work takes place in an indoor and outdoor setting, sometimes in varied weather. May involve wearing period-appropriate clothing and performing simple historic tasks (training to be provided). Physical activity may include standing for long periods, walking on uneven terrain, lifting supplies or assisting with demonstrations.
Salary
The position offers a salary range of $65,854 to $76,342 annually. Progression will be based on merit and is reviewed annually. Additionally, yearly cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) may be considered.
Benefits
This position is eligible for benefits outlined in the HCA’s employee Handbook as it pertains to a full-time position.
Benefits include health, dental coverage, disability and life insurances and a health spending account after three months of employment along with eight personal time off days. After a year, you will be eligible for our matched defined contribution pension plan.
Application Process
Interested applicants, please submit your cover letter and resume in PDF by Monday, April 27, 2026 to: jobs@conservationhamilton.ca
Although we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process; applicants are asked to inform Human Resources for any disability required accommodations in advance.
Hamilton Conservation Authority and its third-party partners may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process. Please note that currently our recruitment cycle does not use AI nor is it part of our current recommended recruitment process
