Job Listing: Historic Interpreter Bacon's Castle

Washington and Lee University - Surry, VA

Closes - Open until closed

Position Title –  Historic Interpreter

Salary - $11.50 ($12 after completing paid training)

Job Type - Part-time, hourly, ineligible for benefits

Apply:  please send a cover letter and resume with two references to Bacon’s Castle Interpretation Coordinator, bgeraghty@preservationvirginia.org

Position Description: Preservation Virginia’s Bacon’s Castle seeks an Historic Interpreter who will primarily be responsible for leading 45-60 minute guided tours of the historic Bacon’s Castle and serving 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 all necessary training in subject matter and related histories, best practices in public history, historic interpretation, and tour techniques, among other necessary information to perform the position.

Desired Qualifications:

● 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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

● Open and close Bacon’s Castle 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 Bacon’s Castle, 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 Bacon’s Castle via phone, email, and online reservation page.

● 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 and Bacon’s Castle social media accounts.

● Expand Bacon’s Castle research and knowledge of associated histories.

● Participate in lectures and webinars.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume with two references to Bacon’s Castle Interpretation Coordinator, bgeraghty@preservationvirginia.org. Preservation Virginia is an EOE and this position is open until filled