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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
An apprentice supports the Education and Preservation Mission of Historic Trades and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation by learning and demonstrating the hand skills required to manufacture traditional work of the colonial period. The Apprentice will research primary and secondary 18th-century sources and object-based study. The Apprentice will work with artisans of various trades, historians, curators, and conservators to better understand a specific trade. The Apprentice will preserve and perpetuate the trade skills by providing a pro-active interpretation of the work, the state of technology, and the diverse people who populated and produced such work in the 18th century.
Main Duties:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Learns and develops proficiency in working with appropriate materials, tools, and 18th c. methods as outlined through a five-level curriculum under the direction of the master or journeyman supervisor.
• Research available information and may conduct ongoing supplemental research to the existing body of knowledge.
• Applies learned hand skills and research through demonstration while employing the National Association of Interpretation techniques to provide in-depth thematic interpretations of the trade, history, and products and services in the community, region, and world.
• Assists with in-depth seminars, workshops, and forums as required using Colonial Williamsburg assigned technological platforms.
• Adheres to safety and security procedures for work, workshops, tools, and people
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
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:
Required: High school degree/G.E.D. with a general knowledge of 18th c. colonial history.
Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license and have an acceptable driving record based on The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation's criteria.
Must be able to provide a 5-year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment
Must be at least 21 years of age
May not have more than 1 moving violation or at fault accident within 12 months
May not have more than 2 moving violations or at fault accidents within 36 months
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:
Preferred: Four-year Degree in American History, History of Medicine, Social Sciences or Health Sciences.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Stand: Frequently
Walk: Occasionally
Sit: Frequently
Use hands/fingers: Frequently
Climb or balance: Rarely
Stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl: Occasionally
Reach with hands/arms: Occasionally
Talk or hear: Constantly Lifting up to 10 lbs: Constantly
Lifting up to 25 lbs: Frequently
Lifting up to 50 lbs (with assistance): Occasionally
Lifting up to 100 lbs (with assistance): Rarely
More than 100 lbs (with assistance): Rarely/never Wet/humid conditions: Frequently
Work near moving mechanical parts: Rarely/Never
Fumes/airborne particles: Occasionally
Extreme cold: Occasionally
Extreme heat: Occasionally
Typical Work Schedule:
8:45 - 5:15, 40 hours full time, weekend & holiday work required.
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: $20.65 to $24.45
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.