Job Listing: Historic Interpreter, Preservation Virginia

Name of Organization – Preservation Virginia, Surry, VA

Closes – Until filled

Job Title – Historic Interpreter

Compensation – $15/hour  (Part-time, hourly, ineligible for benefits)

Type – Part-time

Apply –  https://preservationvirginia.org/about/jobs-internships/

Summary –  Preservation Virginia seeks Historic Interpreters who will primarily be responsible for leading 45-60 minute guided tours of Smith’s Fort or Bacon's Castle, and serve as front-line staff in the museum. Historic Interpreters will engage diverse audiences in topics to include but is not limited to: the 17th-19th century Tidewater, Virginia history, culture, society, economics, politics, and the complexities of gender, race, and slavery; conflict, war, and revolution in colonial Virginia, as well as architectural and plantation history of the property.

Historic Interpreters will provide guided tours to diverse audiences including adults and students/youth organizations, and will assist with special events. Historic Interpreters will receive necessary training in site and related histories, best practices in public history, historic interpretation, and tour techniques, among other necessary information to perform the position. 

Hours: As-scheduled; Potential to work 7.5–80 hours a month.

Responsibilities – Open and close museum through performance of routine duties.  
Lead 45-60 minute guided tours to diverse audiences including student field trips and adult group tours.
Serve as front-line museum staff.
Greet guests to museum, sell admission, facilitate museum shop purchases, promote Preservation Virginia memberships, and provide excellent customer service.
Be an ambassador for Preservation Virginia’s mission, work, and other historic sites.
Answer museum phone and monitor museum email account and online tour booking reservations.
Perform regular cleaning of public and staff spaces including museum shop floors, counters, bathrooms, staff kitchen, house porches, and emptying trash cans.
Assist with student field trips and group tours by (including but not limited to) greeting teachers, parents, and group representatives; providing group instruction; leading tours and programs.
Reserve public tours of Preservation via phone and email.
Help monitor physical maintenance of house, property, and historic collection and follow established protocols when issues arise.
Engage with the public by answering questions and pursuing conversations.
Assist with special events on-site and virtually as needed, usually on evenings and weekends, such as focus tours, lectures, etc.

Other Opportunities:
Assist in content development and research for educational programs and activities.
Contribute written content to Preservation Virginia blog.
Expand research and knowledge of associated histories.

Additional Info – 

Must be over 18 years old.
Obtained or in-progress: Bachelor’s degree in history, education, public history, political science, or related field; or equivalent experience.
Ability to lift 30 pounds.
Ability to climb up and down stairs repeatedly and to stand on feet for several hours at a time.
Must enjoy engaging and speaking with diverse public audiences, both youth and adults.
Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Dedication to providing excellent customer service.
Prior knowledge of American history, including 17th-19th century society, politics and law, war, gender, and race and slavery preferred.
Experience giving public tours and/or public speaking, and experience operating a cash register/point-of-sale system preferred.