Exhibits Technician

DHRM; Rockville (VA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation seeks an Exhibits Technician to construct and maintain outdoor period-style structures at living-history sites. You will build houses, fences, workshops using traditional methods and read detailed plans developed from curatorial guidance.

Ideal candidates have experience in thatching, wattle and daub, timber-frame building, maintain exhibits, ensure safety and keep a well-stocked shop, with strong planning, scheduling, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Experience with historic building techniques and materials.
• Ability to read plans and develop maintenance schedules.
• Strong communication and teamwork in a creative environment.

Responsibilities

• Construct outdoor replica structures using traditional methods and materials.
• Read and interpret detailed plans from curatorial guidance for construction.
• Maintain outdoor exhibits, ensuring safety and orderly maintenance.

Skills

Historic woodworking

Thatching

Reading plans

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Historical research

Job description

Title: Exhibits Technician

State Role Title: Media Specialist II

Hiring Range: $46,000.00

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

Location: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

Agency Website: jyfmuseums.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is seeking a skilled Exhibits Technician to construct and maintain the outdoor period-style structures that bring 17th- and 18th-century Virginia to life at our living-history sites. The primary responsibility of this hands-on role is building outdoor replica structures including houses, fences, workshops, outbuildings, Indigenous yehakins, and heavy timber-frame buildings using traditional, non-power woodworking methods. The technician reads and interprets detailed plans developed from curatorial guidance, research, and archaeological data, and applies specialized historic techniques such as thatching, wattle and daub, riving, and treating lumber against pests. Historic structure-building experience is essential, with prior experience in thatching, wattle and daub, and log-house building strongly preferred.
Beyond new construction, the Exhibits Technician maintains all outdoor exhibits at both sites including timber-frame and Indigenous structures, historical fencing, period fixtures and furniture, artillery carriages, benches, and signage, responding with initiative to safety, breakage, and public-appearance needs while keeping repairs on a progressive maintenance schedule. The role also calls for strong planning and organization: submitting project plans and materials lists in advance, notifying site coordinators and security of scheduled work, maintaining an orderly and well-stocked shop, and complying with all Foundation safety, timekeeping, and administrative policies. Some periodic work before and after normal business hours may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities and/or Competencies required to successfully perform the work:

• Knowledge of historic woodworking, historic masonry, metalworking, and thatching.
• Knowledge of other historic crafts, Indian village building skills, and farm life preferred.
• Skills in woodworking and multiple materials utilization for reproductions.
• Able to read, comprehend and analyze new information from curators.
• Able to read and produce plans, plan maintenance schedules and has the discipline to keep existing structures safe and functioning.
• Able to communicate effectively and work cooperatively in a creative environment with other builders
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of museum education techniques and resources.
• Demonstrated ability to research, write and organize resources effectively to achieve objectives.
• Effective collaborator and team player.
• Ability to assist and provide support in areas of training, coaching and mentoring, experience mentoring a diverse staff is strongly preferred.
• Teaching and historical research experience at a variety of levels is preferred.

Additional Considerations

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: Coy Mozingo

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 03 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: