Job Listing: Museum Educator (P/T) - Scotchtown (Preservation Virginia)

Scotchtown is the only original standing home of Patrick Henry, known as the “orator of the American Revolution,” open to the public. Henry lived here from 1771 to 1778 and conceived his most influential revolutionary ideas at this home, including his famous “Liberty or Death” speech.

Position Title: Museum Educator (Part-time, hourly, ineligible for benefits)

Hourly Rate: $15.00

Available Hours: As-scheduled; Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown is open to the public Friday-Sunday, ability to work at least one of those days each week is desired. Potential to work 22 – 80 hours a month, dependent on site requirements. Additional group visits may fall Monday-Thursday.

Reports To: Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown Site Coordinator

Position Description: The primary roles of Museum Educators will be to lead 45 minute - 1-hour tours of the manor house at Scotchtown and staffing the museum store. Museum Educators will engage diverse audiences in topics to include but not limited to: the history of Patrick Henry and his impact on the Early Republic and social, political, and cultural history of the Early Republic period to include that of the complexities of gender, race, and slavery. Patrick Henry's Scotchtown also provides all necessary training in the subject matter, best practices in historic interpretation and tour techniques, as well as opportunities for program development.

Desired Qualifications:

• Must be over 18 years old.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds.
• Ability to climb up and down stairs repeatedly and to stand for several hours at a time.
• Obtained or in-progress: Bachelor’s degree in history, education, public history, political science, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 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 18th and 19th century society, politics and law, war, gender, race, and slavery preferred.
• Experience in giving public tours and/or public speaking, and experience operating a cash register/point-of-sale system preferred.
• Availability to work Friday-Sunday and occasionally other days for student field trips and group tours.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Open and close the site through performance of routine duties.
• Lead 45-minute guided tours to diverse audiences including student field trips and adult group tours.
• Serve as front-line museum staff.
• Greet guests to Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown, sell admission, facilitate museum shop purchases, and provide excellent customer service.
• 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, and emptying trash cans.
• Assist with student field trips and group tours by providing group instruction and leading tours.
• Reserve public tours of Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown via phone, email, and online reservation page.
• Occasionally serve as appointed Manager on Duty when Site Coordinator is not present on-site.
• Help monitor physical maintenance of house, property, and historic collection and follow established protocols when issues arise.
• Perform light collection care under the direction of the curator.
• 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.

Job Opportunities:

• Facilitate field trip and group tour programs and presentations including virtual programming.
• Assist in content development and research for educational programs and activities.
• Contribute written content to Preservation Virginia blog and Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown social media accounts.
• Expand Scotchtown’s research and knowledge of associated histories.

Location:

This position is an in-person job opportunity with minimal opportunities of work from home.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to plaird@preservationvirginia.org