How to hire a historical interpreter

How to hire a historical interpreter, step by step

Here's a step-by-step historical interpreter hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a historical interpreter job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new historical interpreter
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your historical interpreter job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a historical interpreter for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a historical interpreter to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a historical interpreter that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of historical interpreters and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Historical Interpreter	Description	Hourly rate
   Historical Interpreter	Interpreters and translators convert information from one language into another language. Interpreters work in spoken or sign language; translators work in written language.	$12-34
   Cryptologic Linguist	Cryptologic linguists are lingual professionals who are responsible for using signals equipment to identify and analyze foreign communications. These linguists must assist intelligence community analysts in translating open source and sensitive materials as well as producing comprehensive reports about the daily activities of their enemies... Show more	$12-32
   Arabic Linguist	Arabic linguists are experts who interpret and translate research or business documents that are written in the Arab language or its dialects. These linguists are required to advise peers and superiors about the Arabic language and culture while providing inputs of written reports developed from target materials utilizing the specific Arabic language... Show more	$13-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Historic Sites
   • Gift Shop Sales
   • Customer Service
   • Museum Visitors
   • Educational Programs
   • Cultural History
   • Historical Interpretation
   • History Museum
   • Historical Research
   • Museum Store
   • Front Desk
   • Event Planning
   • Ticket Sales
   • Historical Facts

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
   • Perform as a member of the educational team in the IEP meetings and develop a language goal for the student.
   • Create and maintain site presence on facebook.
   • Conceptualize and co-manage hospital's ASL interpreter mentorship program.
   • Facilitate communication within educational settings including classroom instruction, IEP and development sessions.
   • Help to build collaboration with internal and international patients with medical staff, social organizations and insurance companies.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your historical interpreter job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A historical interpreter can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, historical interpreters' average salary in delaware is 58% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level historical interpreters 62% less than senior-level historical interpreters.
   • Certifications. A historical interpreter with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a historical interpreter's salary.

   Average historical interpreter salary

   $44,062yearly

   $21.18 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level historical interpreter salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a historical interpreter job description

   A historical interpreter job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a historical interpreter job description:

   Historical interpreter job description example

   PAY RATE: $13.45 - $15.85/hour DOQ (up to 1500 hours per year).
   
   GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Under the direction of the Farm Center Interpretive Supervisor, this part time Interpreter position seeks to present a variety of interpretive programs to school groups of all levels, families, community groups and other members of the public, and to share the agricultural history of Southeast Michigan at the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Work responsibilities in this position involve planning, preparing, and presenting talks, demonstrations, and promoting public interest in the appreciation of natural, historical, and cultural resources, as well as caring for a variety of livestock animals and the facilities in which they reside. This position performs a variety of professional and technical duties related to interpretive programs and operation of nature centers, farms, and museums for assigned district.
   
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES: The list below is intended to describe the general nature of duties only. Employees shall perform other duties as assigned.
   
   + Develop and conduct interpretive presentations to students, families, summer camps, and the general public.
   
   + Promote public interest and participation in interpretive programs through tasks, illustrated lectures, and dissemination of pertinent publicity.
   
   + Work a varied schedule, work any day of the week, including weekends and holidays, am or pm shifts, and in any type of weather.
   
   + Register groups and individuals for programs, create invoices, prepare and send out correspondence, and arrange other school/group visit logistics.
   
   + Create and maintain necessary reports and paperwork.
   
   + Market programs as needed.
   
   + Welcome and interact with casual park visitors and answer inquiries in person and via telephone or e-mail.
   
   + Maintenance of indoor facilities and outdoor spaces, including captive animal and trail maintenance, as needed.
   
   + May serve on committees.
   
   + May assist with special events.
   
   + The list above is intended to describe the general nature of duties only.
   
   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
   
   + Associate's Degree in agricultural education, animal science, nature interpretation, environmental education, biology or natural resources management or a related field, Bachelors preferred. Applicants with 4 or more years of related service will be given credit toward meeting the minimum educational requirements and will be considered for the position.
   
   + Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) certification, or the ability to complete CIG certification within one year.
   
   + Experience in interpretation, education or a related field.
   
   + Knowledge of the principles and practices used in developing and carrying out a diversified interpretive program.
   
   + Knowledge of and ability to design science education programs that support the specific grade level content expectations and Michigan Science Standards set by the Michigan Department of Education.
   
   + Ability to promote and maintain cooperative working relationships with educational groups, park visitors and other employees.
   
   + Ability to demonstrate creativity and the ability to implement new initiatives.
   
   + Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
   
   + Ability to communicate verbally to give tours, lead programs and presentations.
   
   + Ability to use carpenter, gardening, farming, and artistic tools.
   
   + Ability to work in all weather conditions.
   
   + Ability to traverse sandy, marshy and wooded areas with even or uneven terrain.
   
   + Must maintain a valid Michigan driver's license and an acceptable driving record.
   
   + May be assigned to work in other parks and districts as needed and if necessary.
   
   + May be required to adjust schedule to meet organizational needs, including special events, evenings, weekends & holidays.
   
   + Ability to perform essential duties.
   
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5. Post your job

   To find historical interpreters for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any historical interpreters they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level historical interpreters with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   To find historical interpreter candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit historical interpreters, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new historical interpreter

   Once you've selected the best historical interpreter candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new historical interpreter first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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