Apprentice Historic Gardener

CW Talent; Rockville (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation seeks an apprentice gardener to learn 18th‑century garden practices in a public venue. You’ll study plants, tools, and techniques while engaging visitors with historical demonstrations and guided interpretation.

Progression is based on demonstrated plant knowledge, research projects, and public presentations, with opportunities to mentor others and contribute to our mission of presenting historic trades.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with knowledge of 18th-century colonial history.
• Preferred: four-year degree in American history or related certification in handwork.
• Experience in horticulture is a plus.
• Must possess a Virginia driver’s license and clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Trade Skills: tend vegetable, fruit, and ornamental gardens using 18th-century methods; maintain tools & workspace; assist with seminars and lectures.
• Research: study historical documents to deepen knowledge of period and people; complete curriculum-based projects.
• Interpretation: provide historical gardening information to visitors, identify plants, and engage families through interactive programs.

Skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Physical strength

Microsoft 365

Customer service

Research & teaching

Independence

Flexible schedule

Weekend work

Education

High school diploma/G.E.D.

Bachelor’s degree in American history (preferred)

Job description

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 88 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, 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 gardener learns the plants, tools, and cultural techniques required to manage a colonial-period garden. This work is accomplished in a public venue that recreates the trade of a professional gardener and demonstrates the knowledge and materials of the colonial period. Progression through the apprenticeship is based on demonstrated growth in three core competencies: Hand Skills, Research, and Interpretation. Apprentices advance by mastering increasingly complex techniques, conducting and applying historical research, and effectively communicating the history, significance, and practice of the trade through public interpretation, instruction, and leadership. Advancement is measured through the successful completion of progressively challenging object-based reproductions, scholarly research projects, interpretive presentations, and the demonstrated ability to mentor others while contributing to the mission of preserving, perpetuating, and presenting the historic trades of Colonial Williamsburg.

Responsibilities:

Trade Skills

• Learns and develops proficiency in the skills of tending vegetable, fruit, and ornamental gardens with eighteenth-century methods and materials under the direction of the master/journeyman.
• Acquires a basic knowledge of all plants at the interpretive site as well as conspicuous plants throughout Colonial Williamsburg properties.
• Demonstrates a familiarity with and anticipates seasonal changes in work responsibilities Maintains tools and workspace under direction of master/journeyman.
• Assists with seminars, workshops, and lectures related to 18th century horticulture.

Research

• Studies historical documents and information about the trade and its practitioners in North America and Europe to become proficient in the knowledge and understanding of the period and people.
• The progression of the apprenticeship is based on the successful demonstration of horticultural skills and knowledge represented by work in the garden and a research project as defined by the apprentice curriculum and overseen by the master/journeyman-supervisor.

Interpretation

• Provides historical information about gardening to include plant identification, exploration, introduction, and cultural techniques in Virginia and how the trade was influenced by European precedent.
• Provides biographical information about notable gardeners, nurserymen, and botanists of colonial America
• Recreates the work environment of an eighteenth-century professional gardener using the clothing, tools, and materials provided. Involves families and their children in interactive programs.
• Presents proactive interpretations of historical information to support historic area themes.

Required Education and Experience

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:

Four-year Degree in American History and/or successful completion or Certification from a Trade School with a concentration in handwork. Experience in Horticulture preferred.

Key Skills / Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written
• Ability to work in collaboration
• Ability to work under extreme weather conditions, including cold temperatures, well over 100 degrees, and heavy pollen
• Must perform physical activities such as repeated standing, kneeling/squatting, lifting, stooping, and moving up to 75 pounds with assistance.
• Strong knowledge of computer systems, including Microsoft 365 Provide Excellent Customer Service to internal and external clients Ability to do research, learn, and teach different skills, varied hand skills usually gained through progressive work experience.
• Able to provide logical and creative solutions within a fast-paced environment Ability to work independently and with minimal direction, meeting deadlines and shifting priorities
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends.

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.

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: $18.55-$21.50 per hour