Historic Interpreter (Part Time)

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18^th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.  

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

 About the Position

Historic Interpreters work primarily with the public, creating thoughtful and engaging interactions in a wide variety of sites and assignments across the Historic Area. Provide exceptional customer service, dynamic experiences, and inclusive interpretations. Help our diverse audience navigate both current day Colonial Williamsburg and the complex and comprehensive history of this community.

Essential Functions: 

1. Models excellent guest service. This includes orienting guests to the town and preparing them for a variety of experiences; checking admission tickets; arranging orderly entry to sites; assisting with the use digital resources; and recommending opportunities that excite and inspire guests.
2. Utilizes 18th century resources and skills along with modern interpretive techniques to bring our community to life for our guests through formal interpretation, tours, and informal dialogue.
3. Demonstrates an understanding of operational procedures, tour mechanics, security of buildings, and the preservation of collections, artifacts, buildings, and objects.
4. Participates in content training and professional development to cultivate a deeper understanding of the past to share with our audience.
5. Utilize credible research and resources to develop interpretations that represent the diverse historical narrative of 18^th century Virginia.
6. Employ digital resources to maintain personal time sheets, track schedule changes, and stay informed with work related email and policy/procedure updates.
7. Fosters a positive workplace culture through good stewardship of resources, observing safety procedures, and meeting standards of professional behavior for the Department of Historic Interpretation and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
8. Performs other duties as assigned by members of the DHI leadership team.
9. All casual staff members are expected to work a flexible schedule including weeknights, holidays, and weekends.  Must be able to provide annual availability that includes a minimum of 2 days per week and one Saturday and one Sunday a month on a regular basis and up to 4 days per week during periods of peak demand, when required.
10. Maintain all safety and security procedures to ensure the safety of colleagues and guests.
11. Meet all standards of the Department of Historic Interpretation.

Required and Preferred Education and Experience: 

Required:  High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Preferred:  Bachelor's Degree in History, Communication, Education, or area of relevant study; or 12 months of work experience in areas of museums/living history, interpretation, education, customer service, or other areas of related work employing comparable skills.

Qualifications:  

• Demonstrate aptitude for learning and sharing the history of the 18^th century world relevant to Williamsburg, Colonial Virginia, British-American colonies, Eastern Woodlands Indigenous cultures, West African cultures, and the Trans-Atlantic world, with the ability to distill information for our audience.
• Absorb and incorporate information, organize and present meaningful and relevant interpretations to diverse groups of all ages, backgrounds, and genders that cater to multiple learning styles.
• Model exceptional guest service and demonstrate the ability to initiate conversations and maintain a welcoming and enthusiastic demeanor with guests and colleagues.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, contractors, and other stakeholders to foster a professional and positive work environment.
• Wear 18^th century reproduction clothing as instructed and provided by Colonial Williamsburg’s Department of Historical Clothing and Dress.
• Demonstrates reliability, punctuality, and flexibility.
• Ability to work flexible schedules including weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Demonstrate ability to work in all job-related environments, including inclement and varying weather conditions, extreme heat and cold; and to potentially come in contact with allergens and insects.
• Able to meet physical requirements of the position including standing, walking, or talking for up to seven hours in a day.
• Able to perform effectively and professionally under atypical conditions.
• Must demonstrate ability to use digital resources, computers, and other electronic devices.
• Embraces an inclusive environment. Able and willing to collaborate with individuals of diverse backgrounds.