Facilitator, Learning & Development

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 71,635,000 - 83,097,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is seeking a Facilitator, Learning and Development to deliver engaging, consistent training for employees, volunteers, and third‑party staff, supporting CW Foundations and the weekly New Employee Orientation.

This casual, flexible position follows a weekday daytime schedule with no guaranteed hours. You will prepare materials, deliver content with PowerPoint and Teams, monitor sessions, and gather feedback to help improve learning programs across the enterprise.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience in adult education, employee training, learning and development, teaching or facilitation preferred.
• Able to facilitate or present effectively to adult groups and communicate information clearly and confidently.
• Experience with adult-learning principles and participatory methods preferred.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate instructor-led learning and development programs for employees, volunteers, and third-party staff across the enterprise.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate the weekly New Employee Orientation (CW Foundations).
• Prepare thoroughly for assigned programs and maintain knowledge of content and materials.

Skills

Adult education

Facilitation

Public speaking

Education

University degree in Education or related field

Tools

PowerPoint

Microsoft Teams

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 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 five million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About The Position The Facilitator, Learning and Development supports Colonial Williamsburg's enterprise-wide learning and development programs by providing engaging, consistent, and well-prepared facilitation for employees, colleagues (third-party vendor employees), and volunteers. Working under the direction of the Director, Learning and Development, the Facilitator delivers established learning programs, supports the weekly New Employee Orientation program (CW Foundations), and helps create a welcoming learning environment.

This is a casual position designed to provide flexible facilitation capacity based on the learning calendar and operational needs. Hours are not fixed or guaranteed and may vary from week to week. Work is scheduled during weekday daytime hours, with no regular evening, night, or weekend schedule. The position is intended for an individual who can maintain a highly flexible weekday schedule and accept assignments with reasonable advance notice.

The Facilitator is primarily responsible for program delivery rather than ownership of learning strategy or curriculum. The position uses established facilitator guides and learning materials, while exercising appropriate judgment to adjust pacing, discussion, and learning activities to the needs of each audience. The Facilitator may also assist with program preparation, participant materials, classroom logistics, feedback collection, and limited content updates as requested.

Key Responsibilities:

Learning Program Facilitation Facilitate instructor-led learning and development programs for employees, colleagues (third-party vendor employees), and volunteers across the Colonial Williamsburg enterprise. Deliver established content clearly and consistently while using discussion, activities, examples, reflection, and other adult-learning techniques to keep participants engaged and support practical application of the material.

Weekly New Employee Orientation Facilitate or co-facilitate the weekly New Employee Orientation program (CW Foundations). Help introduce new employees, colleagues (third-party vendor employees), and volunteers to Colonial Williamsburg's mission and history, organizational culture, service standards and behaviors, workplace expectations, employee resources, guest experience expectations, safety expectations, and other foundational information included in the orientation curriculum.

Preparation and Content Familiarity Prepare thoroughly for each assigned program by reviewing facilitator guides, presentations, participant materials, activities, and supporting resources. Maintain working knowledge of assigned content and seek clarification before delivery when information, policy, or learning materials are unclear or have changed.

Consistent and Accurate Delivery Deliver established learning content with accuracy and appropriate consistency across sessions. Follow approved facilitator guides, learning objectives, and key messages while adapting pacing, examples, questions, and discussion techniques to support different employee groups without changing the intended meaning or organizational expectations of the program.

Participant Engagement and Learning Environment Create a respectful, welcoming, and participatory learning environment for people from different roles, backgrounds, levels of responsibility, and areas of the Colonial Williamsburg enterprise. Encourage questions and discussion, manage group dynamics appropriately, and help program participants connect learning content to their work and to the Colonial Williamsburg working and guest experiences.

Classroom and Program Readiness Assist with room setup, presentation technology, participant materials, supplies, sign-in or attendance processes, and other practical needs required for successful program delivery. Arrive with sufficient time to confirm that the learning environment, materials, and technology are ready before participants arrive.

Learning Technology and Virtual Delivery Use presentation, classroom, and virtual-learning technology required for assigned programs, including PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, audiovisual equipment, polling or participation tools, and other approved learning technology. Support basic troubleshooting during sessions and promptly identify technology issues that require additional assistance.

Program Feedback and Continuous Improvement Gather and communicate participant questions, observations, and feedback that may improve learning programs. Share recurring areas of confusion, opportunities to strengthen examples or activities, and other useful observations with the Director, Learning and Development. Participate in facilitator debriefs, practice sessions, and program updates as requested.

Learning Records and Administrative Support Assist with accurate attendance records, participant rosters, evaluation forms, completion information, material distribution, and other limited administrative tasks connected to assigned learning programs. Protect employee information and follow established procedures for the handling of learning records and program materials.

Cross-Functional Partnership Work effectively with Human Resources, People Operations, Internal Communications, Legal, Safety and Security, operational leaders, subject-matter experts, guest presenters, and other partners involved in assigned learning programs. Help presenters understand session timing, audience needs, and facilitation expectations so programs feel coordinated and consistent to participants.

Culture, Service, and Mission Reinforcement Model the professional behavior expected of Colonial Williamsburg employees and reinforce Colonial Williamsburg’s desired culture: Common Purpose, service standards and behaviors, and commitment to learning. Use facilitation as an opportunity to help participants understand how organizational expectations connect to their daily work, colleagues, and guests.

Facilitator Development and Flexibility Participate in required training, observation, practice, and feedback necessary to remain qualified to facilitate assigned programs. Maintain the flexibility to support different weekday programs, audiences, and locations as needs change, and be prepared to learn new programs as the Colonial Williamsburg Learning and Development curriculum expands.

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 & Preferred Qualifications:

• University degree in Education, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Leadership, Communication, Hospitality Management, Museum Studies, History, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 2 years of experience in adult education, employee training, learning and development, teaching, facilitation, orientation or onboarding, museum education, hospitality training, or a related role preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate or present effectively to adult groups and to communicate information clearly, confidently, and conversationally.
• Working knowledge of adult-learning principles and experience using discussion, questions, activities, scenarios, reflection, or other participatory learning methods preferred.
• Ability to deliver established curriculum consistently while appropriately adjusting pacing, examples, and engagement techniques for different audiences.
• Ability to work effectively with people across different roles, work environments, professional backgrounds, and levels of responsibility.
• Strong preparation, organization, time-management, and reliability skills, including punctual arrival and readiness for scheduled programs.
• Comfort using PowerPoint, Microsoft Teams, standard audiovisual equipment, and other common presentation or learning technologies.
• Ability to learn Colonial Williamsburg's Common Purpose, history, organizational culture, service standards and behaviors, employee resources, and assigned program content and communicate that information accurately.
• Experience in a museum, cultural institution, nonprofit, education, hospitality, service, or other mission-driven organization preferred.
• Experience facilitating new employee orientation, onboarding, professional development, leadership development, customer or guest service, or workplace skills programs preferred.
• Strong judgment, professionalism, and discretion when working with employee information, workplace questions, and sensitive discussion that may arise during learning programs.
• Ability to receive coaching and feedback, incorporate program changes, and maintain consistent facilitation standards across repeated sessions.
• Availability for flexible, variable daytime assignments, primarily Monday through Friday. Hours are based on program needs and are not fixed or guaranteed.

Core Competencies:

• Adult learning and facilitation.
• Platform presence and public speaking.
• New employee orientation and onboarding support.
• Participant engagement and group discussion.
• Clear and accurate communication.
• Curriculum fidelity and message consistency.
• Service excellence and hospitality mindset.
• Culture and mission reinforcement.
• Inclusive and respectful learning practices.
• Preparation, reliability, and time management.
• Adaptability and learning agility.
• Learning technology and classroom readiness.
• Cross-functional collaboration.
• Feedback and continuous improvement.
• Judgment, credibility, and discretion.

Performance Indicators:

• Consistent, accurate, and engaging delivery of assigned learning and development programs.
• Reliable facilitation or co-facilitation of weekly New Employee Orientation (CW Foundations) as scheduled.
• Positive participant feedback regarding facilitator clarity, engagement, professionalism, and usefulness of the learning experience.
• Evidence that participants understand the key learning objectives and can connect program content to their roles and responsibilities.
• Consistent use of approved facilitator guides, learning materials, key messages, and organizational terminology.
• Strong preparation for assigned sessions, including timely arrival, classroom readiness, materials, and presentation technology.
• Effective management of participant questions, discussion, group dynamics, and differing levels of prior knowledge or experience.
• Accurate and timely completion of attendance, evaluation, and other required learning records for assigned programs.
• Useful feedback to the Director, Learning and Development regarding recurring participant questions, content clarity, program effectiveness, and opportunities for improvement.
• Effective working relationships with Vice President of Organizational Culture, Director of Learning and Development, co-workers, subject-matter experts, guest presenters, Human Resources partners, and operational leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate coaching, program updates, and new learning content into future facilitation.
• Depndable availability for agreed-upon weekday daytime assignments within the flexible, variable schedule of a casual position.
• Professional conduct that models Colonial Williamsburg's desired culture: Common Purpose, service standards and behaviors, and workplace expectations.

Physical and Environmental Demands
Physical Activity
Frequency
Stand
Occasionally
Walk
Occasionally
Sit
Constantly
Use hands/fingers
Constantly
Climb or balance
Rarely
Stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl
Rarely
Reach with hands/arms
Occasionally
Talk or hear
Constantly
Lifting up to 10 lbs.
Occasionally
Lifting up to 25 lbs.
Rarely
Lifting up to 50 lbs. (with assistance)
N/A
Lifting up to 100 lbs. (with assistance)
N/A
More than 100 lbs. (with assistance)
N/A
Wet/humid conditions
N/A
Work near moving mechanical parts
N/A
Fumes/airborne particles
N/A
Extreme cold
N/A
Extreme heat
N/A
Risk of electrical shock
N/A
Driving requirement
N/A
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:$25.00 - $29.00/hour