Job Listing: School Programs Educator

Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown historic site and the John Marshall House - Beaverdam & Richmond, VA (respectively)

Closes - open until filled

Position Title - School Programs Educator

Compensation - $60 per field trip and outreach program; $30 per virtual program

Job Type - part-time, hourly, ineligible for benefits. As-scheduled for school programs.

Apply - Please submit a cover letter and resume to mdowney@preservationvirginia.org.

Summary - Preservation Virginia seeks part-time School Programs Educators to present all student programming at Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown historic site and the John Marshall House. School programs take several forms, including in-person field trips to the museum, as well as virtual programs and outreach presentations in schools. The employee will also be expected to support other types of youth programs at or on behalf of Scotchtown including Boy and Girl Scout  programs or field trips, as well as summer camps. School Programs Educators will receive all required training sessions and materials. 

Responsibilities -

• Deliver tours, activities, and programs–in-person and virtually–to student audiences.
• Professionally represent Preservation Virginia at Scotchtown and the John Marshall House, in schools, virtually, and in the community.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Cultivate a learning environment with students that encourages conversation, questions, and comfort in discussing hard history. Promote a fun and flexible educational experience.
• Present historic content in the form of tours, hands-on activities, and content presentations that include social, political, and cultural history of colonial and Early America to include that of the complexities of gender, race, and slavery.  Employees will also present historic content with STEM themes.
• Speak and present confidently to groups ranging in size from 20 students in-person to as many as 100 virtually.
• Manage in-person group behavior to ensure safety for all participants as well as the historic site and collections; manage virtual group behavior to ensure an effective and respectful virtual experience.
• Greet and speak with teachers and parents as needed.
• Attend and arrive on time for all required meetings, training sessions, and all scheduled students programs.
• Maintain and care for program resources and supplies.

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 50 pounds.
• Able to think and act improvisationally in reaction to changing circumstances with students, environment, or site conditions. (Think on your feet!)
• Availability to work 1-3 hours per shift on weekdays, primarily in the mornings, but afternoons as well; occasional evening or weekend hours may be required.
• Able to present virtual programs from one’s home with a professional background setting.
• Experience working with children and adults in an educational setting, proven
  ability to work with others, and strong oral and written communication skills are a plus.
• Experience teaching in a museum or classroom setting is desirable, but not required.
• Prior knowledge of American history, including 18^th and 19^th century society, politics and law, war, gender, and race and slavery preferred.
• Possess access to reliable transportation and internet.

Physical Demands: This position requires individuals to stand and walk for extended periods of time, up to two (2) hours per program. Employees will also be required to assist with table, chair, tent, and program supply set-up which may include lifting up to 50-pounds; they may be required to sit for up to 60 minutes in facilitation of virtual student programs. 

Background Investigation: This position requires a background investigation to work with children and young adults.

Other Requirements: Reliable access to transportation to Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown, the John Marshall House, and other regional locations as needed.