Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

- To demonstrate hands-on Armourer/Blacksmith skills and techniques, and to interpret the role and significance of the Armourer/Blacksmith within the
context of Fort William Historical Park's living history, education, events and exhibits program.
- To research and fabricate period reproductions and provide specialized maintenance services for site structures and furnishings.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Position functions within Fort William Historical Park (FWHP) which is a unique, leading, multi-component destination tourism attraction that provides
outstanding cultural, recreational, entertainment and educational experiences for residents and visitors to northwestern Ontario.
1. Develops and implements period Armourer/Blacksmith interpretive, education and event programming using living history techniques and
applications. - Develops and implements education programs in accordance with core curriculum documents and consultations with the education
community. - Researches fabrication and maintains heritage reproductions specific to the Armourer/Blacksmith trade using period and contemporary
techniques and tools.
2. Serves as a resource in the implementation of living history Armourer/Blacksmith work.
- Conducts interpretive and historical content training relating to the Armourer/Blacksmith, 19th Century artisans, the Canadian fur trade, Fort William,
the North West Company and the principles and methodology of living history as conducted at Fort William Historical Park
- Contributes to the development of new and innovative programs for FWHP.
3. Participates in historical dramatizations, pageants, festivals, special events, daily activities, education and outreach programs. - Participates as a
member of planning and review committees by providing input on new initiatives or research conducted concerning historic
Armourer/Blacksmith activities. - Contributes to planning, implementation and program review for the full spectrum of FWHP's education, interpretive
and event programming.
4. Demonstrates authentic methods and the skills of the Armourer/Blacksmith by creating and maintaining black powder firearms and period ironware
items. - Demonstrates skills pertaining to shaping, forging, welding, hardening and tempering metal, and employing contemporary welding techniques,
using both period and contemporary tools and machines. - Ensures historical accuracy in the depiction and portrayal of early 19th Century
Armourer/Blacksmith activities. Produces Armourer/Blacksmith items for retail when required.
5. Serves as a maintenance resource to all aspects of Heritage Trades Operations. - Conducts on-going repair and restoration of existing historic
structures and exhibits, design, development and construction. - Preserves the plant site and its environs by conducting repairs, fabrications and
maintenance duties.
6. Performs administrative duties by recording budget expenditures; ensuring adherence to ministry and FWHP purchasing policies and procedures. -
Researches and prepares detailed plans, templates, labour and material cost estimates and project time-lines required for the fabrication of exhibits and
site maintenance projects.
7. Provides technical direction to new and returning seasonal staff, students and volunteers.
- Trains staff in the safe and effective operation of hand and power tools. - Reviews the quality of work performed.
8. Conducts regular equipment, material and supply inventories of the Trades Area to ensure reproductions and tools are maintained. Assigns and
follows up on scheduled cleaning.
9. Ensures a safe environment for visitors and staff, and that all work is performed in accordance with safety regulations.
10. Serves as a maintenance resource in all aspects of property maintenance when required.
11. Other duties as assigned to meet operational needs. Fort William Historical Park is a 7-day a week, 24-hour operation. Position may be required to
attend overnight functions, travel to out of town events and off-hour programs, work holidays and weekend

Staffing and Licensing :

Class G Ontario Drivers License is required to perform outreach education programs.
Satisfactory Enhanced Screening including Police Records Check and Vulnerable Service Sector Check.
Ability to obtain Forklift Operators Licence
Ability to obtain Class CZ Ontario Drivers Licence

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of:
- Fort William Historical Park programs, events, promotions, projects, policies and procedures to provide skilled artisan knowledge, expertise and
hands-on demonstrations representing the 19th Century Armourer/Blacksmith trade.
- Period and contemporary blacksmithing, silversmithing, gunsmithing, and black powder use.
- Theoretical and applied Armourer/Blacksmithing methods, techniques, materials, construction and tools.
- Explosive's Act of Canada, Firearms Legislation, Occupational Health and Safety Legislation, City By-Laws and the Transportation of Dangerous
Goods Act, in order to exercise the safe use, storage and preparation of black powder for flintlock and cannon demonstrations.
- Armourer/Blacksmith skills such as shaping, forging, welding, hardening and tempering metal;
- Employing contemporary welding techniques; using period and contemporary tools and machines, to create and maintain black powder firearms and
period ironware items.
- Sophisticated machine and hand tool usage.
- Interpretive applications and applied living history techniques to dramatize and portray historical characters and events, and present educational
workshops to staff and the public.
- Ontario school curriculum pertaining to the role played by the Armourer/Blacksmith in the early 1800's.
- Working level computer skills to prepare statistical reports, and program outlines.
- Planning and organizational skills to plan and organize Armourer/Blacksmith duties performed; to coordinate activities of seasonal staff.

Skills :

Job requires:
- Evaluative skills to review quality of work performed by seasonal staff.
- Selecting appropriate sequence and course of action when performing Armourer/Blacksmith tasks.
- Precision and attention to detail to accurately use the techniques, equipment and materials of the Armourer/Blacksmith trade.
- Reasoning skills to create objects from iron or steel by forging the metal by using hand tools to hammer, bend, cut and shape metal.
- Skills in determining temperature and workability of metal by colour during the heating process.
- Ability to fabricate items such as light fixtures, tools, hooks, pokers, decorative and religious items, cooking utensils and weapons.
- Coordination to demonstrate manual tasks involving the skills and techniques of the trade e.g., bending, punching and finishing metal;
- To demonstrate the use of hammer and anvil. - Reviewing equipment, material and supply inventories of program area to ensure that hand and power
tools are maintained.
- Oral communication skills to interact with visitors and participate in interpretive demonstrations.
- Ability to act as the designate for the powder magazine licencing requirements.
- Ability to perform physical work out of doors and in all weather conditions; drive equipment; lift materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
-Availability to work evenings and on weekends, and flexibility to work extra hours as required.

Freedom of Action :

- Work is performed within the framework of ministry policies, and the objectives, practices, procedures, safety standards and guidelines of Fort William
Historical Park.
Decision-making involves:
-Researching and fabricating period reproductions;
-Providing input into to the development of new and innovative Armourer/Blacksmith programs;
-Conducting interpretive and historical content training;
-Providing input at committees on new initiatives or research conducted;
-Providing technical direction and training to staff in the safe and effective operation of hand and power tools;
-Preparing detailed plans, templates, labour and material cost estimates and project time-lines;
-Providing input into year-end departmental reviews;
-Recommending improvements to program delivery.
- Work is reviewed by the Manager for quality and adherence to established practices and procedures.
- Job identifies and refers theft, damage or loss of equipment, materials or supplies to Manager.
- Job refers matters relating to customer service or delays in obtaining necessary supplies and materials to Manager.