In addition to students and First Nations people, Historic Hat Creek (HHC) is looking to tap into a specific group of potential employees for their upcoming season: those who may have temporarily left their careers to be at home with children, but who don’t want to get out of the system entirely.
“That’s a massive group of competent people,” says Chris Linton, HHC’s program director. “Everyone wants someone who will work full-time five days a week, but there are people who have chosen to spend time with their families who might want to make time for themselves, who would love a job where they can drop off the kids and then work until they pick them up after school.”
Historic Hat Creek is open from May 1 to September 30, and Linton says that while young people might want to work all summer, parents might prefer working in May, June, and September so they don’t have to worry about childcare.
“We’re very flexible with shifts. Tell me what you’re able to work: say three days or four mornings a week. You can be in for 9 a.m. and gone by 2:15 or 2:30 p.m. We’ll do what we can to make it work.”
While there are positions available in the restaurant and gift shop, Linton is looking more for people who want to work in the historic site as greeters and guides, or at the Native site sharing First Nations culture with people from around the world. “We provide full training, and dovetail that with people’s skill sets,” she explains, “whether that’s public speaking or working with people. We gets lots of school groups, so that’s good for teachers.”
Those working at the roadhouse are dressed in period costume, which is supplied; Linton says the only thing the employee needs to provide is period-appropriate footwear. When asked how difficult that is to find, Linton says that Value Village usually has lace-up shoes (zippers are frowned on). “They’re not hard to find. We’re looking for practical shoes.”
Greeters at the roadhouse welcome guests to the Gold Rush culture, which is largely Victorian culture. “We provide all the necessary training and resources when it comes to facts and presentation,” says Linton, “but we encourage staff to come up with their own monologues if they feel comfortable. One person did one on hurdy-gurdy girls, and another did one on snake-oil salesmen.
“Anyone can read facts, but guests won’t necessarily remember facts and dates, especially those who don’t speak much English. What they will remember is the sound of a phonograph, or the wallpaper, or making bannock in a frying pan.”
In addition to greeters, there are guides who take people around the buildings and site. “Staff are trained on what to deliver; they might do a craft. But it’s completely free form with the public.”
Things are different for those who work with school groups. “That’s a very different style. Generally the roadhouse tour for students has three different sections: ‘Home Sweet Home’ is for primary students, ‘Eyes of a Miner’ is for intermediate students, and ‘Mind Your Manners’ is for secondary students. They are all set to the B.C. school curriculum, so there are expected outcomes.”
At the Native site the employees are First Nations, out of respect to First Nations people, but they do not have to be from the Bonaparte Band or the Secwepemc Nation. “We’ve had an Nlakapamux person there,” says Linton. However, she adds that due to a lack of facilities, there is no staff housing available at the site.
Linton notes that due to the nature of the work at the site, training never really stops; there is always something new. “I’ve studied the fur trade for 30 years, and still find myself saying ‘That’s a great question; I’ll have to look it up.’
“A common theme we hear from employees is that it’s been fantastic. They didn’t think they could do what they were doing, then say how much they enjoyed meeting and working with people from around the world, and how amazing Historic Hat Creek is.
“And at the end of the day, when it’s quiet, and you’re sitting on the porch and the stagecoach pulls up: there’s nothing like it.”
Interviews for employment for the 2018 season are being carried out now. Anyone interested in applying for a position at Historic Hat Creek can submit a resume to contact@historichatcreek.com.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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