Museum Installation Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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

The Journeyman Millworker provides skilled millwork services to support Foundation operations in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner. They perform the fabrication, assembly, installation, and repair of cabinets, furniture, and wood components of building structures, supporting facilities, preservation, museum, and departmental needs across the Foundation. Work is performed in accordance with established trade, safety, and historical standards.

Main Duties:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Produce high-quality millwork consistent with established trade, craftsmanship, and organizational standards.
• Operate and utilize millwork machinery and equipment, including but not limited to joiners, tilting arbor saws, thickness planers, thickness sanders, mortise and tenon machines, lathes, shapers, band saws, scroll saws, routers, and other portable and stationary woodworking equipment used within the Millwork Shop.
• Manufacture, fabricate, assemble, repair, and install millwork components, including posts, rails, garden benches, window sashes, doors, door sills and jambs, cabinetry, reproduction antique furniture, and repairs to carts and carriages.
• Provide millwork support to Facilities Maintenance, museums, and other departments throughout the Foundation as assigned.
• Use non-electric hand tools, as needed, to produce mortise and tenon joints and other traditional woodworking joints in accordance with Colonial Williamsburg’s quality and historical standards.
• Perform routine maintenance of shop machinery and lumber storage areas as assigned; maintain shop organization and general housekeeping standards.
• Identify and address safety hazards within the shop and other work areas in accordance with safety guidelines and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• 5 years of relevant millwork experience.
• Within three months after start date must possess and keep current certifications in Renovation, Repair and Painting (Lead Safety), Asbestos Class 3 Training, and Supported Scaffold Competent Person.

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based on The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s criteria.

o Must be able to provide a 5-year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment
o Must be at least 21 years of age
o May not have more than 1 moving violation or at fault accident within 12 months
o May not have more than 2 moving violations or at fault accidents within 36 months
o May not have any serious motor vehicle violations including but not limited to excessive speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, suspended or revoked license, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:
• 8 or more years’ experience gained on restoration carpentry/millwork at museums, historic sites, colleges, or universities, National Park Service or similar organization engaged in building preservation and maintenance.

Key Skills / Competencies:

• Knowledge of journeyman-level millwork practices, woodworking methods, materials, and tools used in the fabrication, assembly, installation, and repair of wood products and architectural components.
• Skilled in operating and safely using a wide range of stationary and portable woodworking machinery and non-electric hand tools in a shop environment.
• Ability to fabricate, assemble, and repair millwork components such as cabinetry, doors, window sashes, furniture, and structural wood elements in accordance with established quality and craftsmanship standards.
• Knowledge of traditional woodworking techniques, including mortise and tenon joinery and other hand-crafted methods, and the ability to apply these techniques as needed.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, measurements, specifications, and work orders related to millwork projects.
• Knowledge of workplace safety practices and the ability to identify and address safety hazards associated with millwork equipment, materials, and work environments.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively as part of a team to meet project timelines and operational needs.
• Ability to maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in an organized and safe condition.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues regarding work progress, priorities, and project needs.
Physical and Environmental Demands:

• This position requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• The role involves frequent talking and hearing, as well as constant use of hands and fingers for handling tools, materials, and equipment, including frequent reaching with hands and arms.
• Sitting and climbing or balancing may occur occasionally.
• The position regularly requires lifting and exerting force, including lifting up to 10 pounds on a constant basis; lifting up to 25 pounds and up to 50 pounds with assistance on a frequent basis; and lifting up to 100 pounds with assistance on an occasional basis.
• This position involves regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and airborne particles associated with millwork and shop operations.
• The role may require occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and cleaners, as well as occasional work in extreme cold or extreme heat, depending on project assignments and work location.
• Work is performed in a shop and field environment where appropriate safety procedures and protective equipment are required.
  

Typical Work Schedule:

This position has been designated essential and has been determined to be critical to the support of the company. Must be able to work additional hours in and around set schedule as needed during inclement weather conditions, emergencies and/or liberal leave situations. Must be available for routine work scheduled on weekends, nights, holidays, and respond positively at emergency recall to work.

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.

Compensation Disclaimer: The compensation listed below for this position represents the anticipated hiring range and is provided in accordance with Virginia pay transparency requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the selected candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and the specific requirements of the role.

Range: $28.30 to $38.10