SOLSTICE 2025 Temporary Event Staff

Event Summary: SOLSTICE: Reflections on Winter Light is an annual event at Mount Auburn Cemetery that includes an outdoor journey through large-scale light and sound artworks (created by MASARY Studios), and an indoor experience with live music and candle lighting. Guests are invited to walk through the light-filled landscape and explore the Winter Solstice atmosphere, and to reflect on moments of change as the year ends and a new cycle begins. Connect to a landscape of exceptional beauty, consider an intention for the new year, or commemorate the memory of a loved one. Let the Solstice light your way as you encounter the unique spirit of Mount Auburn.

Position Title: SOLSTICE Daily Event Set-Up Staff
Position Type: Temporary ($25/hr)
Reports to: Public Events Manager, SOLSTICE Temp Event Lead

Position Summary: The SOLSTICE temporary event staff team supports Mount Auburn’s signature annual event, SOLSTICE: Reflections on Winter Light (Dec 3, 5-21, 2025). The Daily Event Set-Up team reports to the Public Events Assistant who will manage and monitor all event set-up and assign specific tasks as needed. Mandatory working dates: Dec 3, 5-7, 9-10, 12-14, 16-17, 19-21. Once hired, you’ll be assigned to either the day or the night crew.
For Day Crew:
Shifts will likely be 12:30-3:30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and 12:00-3:00pm on Saturdays & Sundays.
For Night Crew:
Shifts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday will start at 4:30pm and end between 10:00pm-10:30pm. Shifts on Saturday will start at 4:30pm and end between 10:00pm-10:30pm. Shifts on Sunday will start at 4:30pm and end between 9:00pm-9:30pm. Additional working hours will include one virtual information session and one on-site training session. Responsibilities may include (depending on assignment):
For Day Crew:

• Preparing Event Staff Trailer
  • Restocking food, water, utensils, napkins, etc. Breaking down and removing empty boxes
• Preparing Candles
  • Cleaning wax out of glass votives (if necessary), tossing old tea light candles, carrying and resetting new ones for the evening event
  • Turning on remote-controlled LED candles in and around the Chapels
• Preparing Lanterns and Lantern Walk Path
  • Unplugging and transporting wheeled carts of charged lanterns to outdoor staff station
  • Unplugging, transporting, and placing orb lights into the landscape
• Preparing Parking Area
  • Placing road barricades in assigned locations
  • Double checking parking sign placement and adjusting as necessary
• Preparing Event Area
  • Double checking event area sign placement and light battery status and adjusting as necessary
• Preparing Community Message Boards
  • Checking/replacing inventory
  • Setting up space as necessary

For Night Crew

• Welcoming guests

• Giving directional instructions for:
  • Artworks
  • Bathrooms
  • Buildings
  • Check-In Tents
  • Event Maps
  • Food & Beverage area
  • Gift Shop
  • Info Desk
  • Parking areas
• Scanning event tickets for guest Check-In
• Handing out candles
• Answering event-related questions
• Opening heavy doors for guests
• Kindly reminding guests of event rules
• Helping with nightly event break-down

Qualifications

• Previous event support experience preferred
• Previous customer service experience a plus
• Familiarity with Mount Auburn Cemetery a plus
• Excellent “people skills,” including the ability to work harmoniously with fellow staff, volunteers, event partners, and members of the public.
• Ability to change pace and/or pivot to new responsibilities if required
• Warm, friendly demeanor

Working Conditions

• Working in all weather conditions
• Indoor and/or outdoor work
• Standing for hours at a time

Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.