Job Listing: Brickyard Interpreter - Summer (The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)
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 18th-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 89 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
Works primarily at the Brickyard site producing handmade bricks used in Colonial Williamsburg’s ongoing reconstruction and conservation efforts. Performs traditional brickmaking processes — including digging clay, treading clay with water by foot (barefoot as part of the historical method), molding, and stacking bricks — while in period costume and in view of the public. Engages guests through interpretation of 18th-century brickmaking methods, tools, labor practices, and the broader context of the masonry trades during the 1607–1781 period.
This is a casual position, working full-time, 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week, for up to 12 weeks.
Main Duties:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Produces handmade bricks using traditional 18th-century tools and techniques, including digging clay, treading clay with water by foot to achieve proper consistency, molding bricks, and stacking for drying.
• Interprets the history, technology, labor practices, and cultural significance of brickmaking and related trades to diverse audiences in a variety of settings.
• Engages guests in a welcoming, educational manner while performing trade work in a public environment.
• Wears and maintains appropriate period clothing in accordance with Historic Clothing and Dress standards to support an authentic 18th-century atmosphere.
• Follows established safety and security procedures related to tools, materials, equipment, and site operations.
This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.
This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.
Required Education and Experience:
• High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred Qualifications:
• Four-year degree in American History or on subject matter relating to American history and/or the masonry trades.
• Previous living history museum experience.
Key Skills / Competencies:
• Ability to meet the physical requirements of the trade including…
• Ability to lift and carry 75 lbs.
• Ability to carry 150 lbs. on a wheelbarrow
• Ability to perform all of the steps required in the production of bricks, plaster, mortar, lime, etc.
• Ability to work in excavated trenches and on scaffolding or other uncomfortable work environments as work needs require.
• Ability to work in dusty environments while wearing proper safety gear, including respirators.
• Ability to safely handle and work with chemical materials such as lime, mineral spirits, linseed oil, etc.
• Ability to perform repetitive work safely with traditional 18th century tools.
• Ability to work under extreme weather conditions, including temperatures over 100 degrees, with heavy pollen and humidity.
• Ability to perform activities that require repeated or long-term standing, kneeling/squatting, lifting, and stooping.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Stand: Constantly
Walk: Frequently
Sit: Occasionally
Use hands/fingers: Constantly
Climb or balance: Rarely
Stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl: Frequently
Reach with hands/arms: Frequently
Talk or hear: Frequently
Lifting up to 10 lbs: Constantly
Lifting up to 25 lbs: Constantly
Lifting up to 50 lbs (with assistance): Occasionally
Lifting up to 100 lbs (with assistance): Rarely
More than 100 lbs (with assistance): Rarely
Wet/humid conditions: Frequently
Work near moving mechanical parts: Rarely
Fumes/airborne particles: Rarely
Extreme cold: Rarely
Extreme heat: Rarely
Risk of Electrical Shock: Rarely
Typical Work Schedule:
Casual FT- 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week, for up to 12 weeks. This position will require working on weekends.
Salary - $18.50/hour
To apply, click HERE.