Historical Interpreter

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 48,081,000 - 72,036,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation seeks an interpretive staff member to engage guests with dynamic 18th-century history, delivering tours and dialogues that bring Williamsburg to life. You will use historical resources and modern techniques to educate visitors, while maintaining schedules and safety protocols.

The role requires a high school diploma (Bachelor’s degree preferred) and flexibility to work weekends/holidays, with overtime as needed.

Qualifications

• Required: High School Diploma or GED.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in History, Communication, Education, or related field; or 12 months of relevant museum/living history experience.

Responsibilities

• Orient guests to the town and experiences; check admission tickets and manage site entry.
• Use 18th-century resources with modern interpretation for tours and dialogues.
• Understand operational procedures, tour mechanics, and preservation of collections.
• Participate in training to deepen historical understanding for audiences.
• Develop interpretations reflecting diverse historical narratives of 18th-century Virginia.
• Maintain safety, schedules, and internal communications; adhere to policies.

Skills

18th-century history

Public speaking

Storytelling

Audience engagement

Interpreting history

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree or related field (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. 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

Responsibilities include but are not limited to

Essential Functions

• Models excellent guest service. This includes orienting guests to the town and preparing them for a variety of experiences; checking admission tickets; arranging orderly entry to sites; assisting with the use digital resources; and recommending opportunities that excite and inspire guests.
• Utilizes 18th century resources and skills along with modern interpretive techniques to bring our community to life for our guests through formal interpretation, tours, and informal dialogue.
• Demonstrates an understanding of operational procedures, tour mechanics, security of buildings, and the preservation of collections, artifacts, buildings, and objects.
• Participates in content training and professional development to cultivate a deeper understanding of the past to share with our audience.
• Utilize credible research and resources to develop interpretations that represent the diverse historical narrative of 18th century Virginia.
• Employ digital resources to maintain personal time sheets, track schedule changes, and stay informed with work related email and policy/procedure updates.
• Fosters a positive workplace culture through good stewardship of resources, observing safety procedures, and meeting standards of professional behavior for the Department of Historic Interpretation and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
• Performs other duties as assigned by members of the DHI leadership team.
• All interpretive staff members are expected to work a flexible schedule including holidays and weekends.
• Maintain all safety and security procedures to ensure the safety of colleagues and guests.
• Meet all standards of the Department of Historic Interpretation.

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.

Qualifications

Required and Education and Experience

• Required: High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in History, Communication, Education, or area of relevant study; or 12 months of work experience in areas of museums/living history, interpretation, education, customer service, or other areas of related work employing comparable skills.
• 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

• Demonstrate aptitude for learning and sharing the history of the 18th century world relevant to Williamsburg, Colonial Virginia, British-American colonies, Eastern Woodlands Indigenous cultures, West African cultures, and the Trans-Atlantic world, with the ability to distill information for our audience.
• Absorb and incorporate information, organize and present meaningful and relevant interpretations to diverse groups of all ages, backgrounds, and genders that cater to multiple learning styles.
• Model exceptional guest service and demonstrate the ability to initiate conversations and maintain a welcoming and enthusiastic demeanor with guests and colleagues.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, contractors, and other stakeholders to foster a professional and positive work environment.
• Wear 18th century reproduction clothing as instructed and provided by Colonial Williamsburg’s Department of Historical Clothing and Dress.
• Demonstrates reliability, punctuality, and flexibility.
• Ability to work flexible schedules including weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Demonstrate ability to work in all job-related environments, including inclement and varying weather conditions, extreme heat and cold; and to potentially come in contact with allergens and insects.
• Able to meet physical requirements of the position including standing, walking, or talking for up to seven hours in a day.
• Able to perform effectively and professionally under atypical conditions.
• Must demonstrate ability to use digital resources, computers, and other electronic devices
• Embraces an inclusive environment. Able and willing to collaborate with individuals of diverse backgrounds.

Key Skills / Competencies

• Knowledge of 18th-century American history, particularly Colonial Virginia and Williamsburg
• Ability to engage diverse audiences through dynamic historical interpretation and storytelling
• Strong public speaking and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to research, learn, retain, and accurately present historical content
• Commitment to providing exceptional guest service and educational experiences
• Ability to adapt interpretive approaches for varied audiences, learning styles, and group sizes
• Ability to discuss complex or sensitive historical topics with professionalism and inclusivity
• Strong teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced public environment, both indoors and outdoors
• Ability to wear historical clothing and perform duties in a living history setting
• Flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and special events as needed

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Stand: Frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Sit: Occasionally
• Use hands/fingers: Frequently
• Climb or balance: Occasionally
• Stoop / kneel / crouch / crawl: Occasionally
• Reach with hands/arms: Frequently
• Talk or hear: Constantly
• Lifting up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Lifting up to 25 lbs: Occasionally
• Lifting up to 50 lbs (with assistance): Rarely
• Lifting up to 100 lbs (with assistance): Rarely
• More than 100 lbs (with assistance): Rarely
• Wet/humid conditions: Frequently
• Work near moving mechanical parts: Rarely
• Fumes / airborne particles (dust, pollen, smoke): Occasionally
• Extreme cold: Occasionally
• Extreme heat: Occasionally

Typical Work Schedule

Full-Time, 40 hours per week. Standard shift schedule is 8:45-5:15, occasionally required to work later into the evening.

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: $16.78 to $25.14