What are the responsibilities and job description for the Education and Visitor Programs Intern position at Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.?
About the Thomas Jefferson Foundation
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has a twofold mission of preservation and education, and was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Today, the Foundation seeks to bring history forward into national and global dialogues by engaging audiences with Jefferson's world and ideas, and sharing the history of everyone, enslaved and free, who lived and labored at Monticello. Monticello is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a United Nations World Heritage Site and a Site of Conscience.
Education and Visitor Programs Intern
Purpose:
Your role as an intern will be to serve as a guide within the Department of Education and Visitor Programs (EVP). You will be interpreting the history of Jefferson, Monticello, and those who lived and worked at Monticello to each of our visitors and serve as an informed, friendly ambassador for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
The on-site internship available to undergraduate and graduate students, or recent graduates is 12 weeks in length, beginning on May 12, 2025 and concluding on August 1, 2025. You will be scheduled for 40 hours every week including Saturdays and Sundays, with two consecutive days off during the week
As an Intern for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc., we will look to you to:
- Develop and conduct tours for visitors within established parameters and staff an outdoor family learning center. Tours of the site focus on the fundamental themes of innovation, freedom, self-governance, and slavery and its legacies.
- Engage diverse audiences with the history of the founding of the United States, responding to different groups of guests (school children, families, adults, first-time guests, etc.) by varying tour content and technique.
- On designated project days, collaborate with EVP program managers on special projects related to the field of museum education.
- Provide a high level of customer service to ensure a seamless guest experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D). required; currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in public history or related field preferred.
- Broad and thorough knowledge of American history; specific knowledge of the age of Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson, and Monticello (house and plantation) is essential.
- Ability to model TJF’s customer service standards and expectations.
- Knowledge of the techniques of historic interpretation.
- Excellent speaking skills, especially the ability of succinct expression.
- Excellent interpersonal skills – must be able to make each visitor feel welcome.
- Friendly attitude toward visitors and staff; strong team player.
- Sustained intellectual curiosity in Jefferson, Monticello, and relevant history and culture
Physical Demands and Work Considerations
- Monticello is located on a mountaintop; walking on inclines and uneven ground may be required.
- Must be able to stand for periods of up to 120 minutes during tours and for up to one hour in Visitor Center assignments.
- Must be able to work inside and outside in all weather conditions
- Must be able to climb stairs several times a day
- Must be able to speak at an acceptable volume for 7 half-hour tours per day.
We provide the following benefits for our interns!
- 401(k) retirement savings plan.
- Discount in the Monticello Café, gift shop, and Monticello online catalog.
- Supervision by a professional in the museum field.
- Mentorship and networking opportunities with colleagues and interns in all departments.
If you believe this opportunity is the right fit for you, we encourage you to apply! Please include a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for two professional references.
