Title: Living History Interpreter- American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

State Role Title: Education, Training, and Library Wkrs, All Other

Hiring Range: $38,000

Pay Band:

Agency: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

Location: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

Agency Website: 

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Interpretative Service Overview

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is an educational agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia offering programs and resources about early American history through its museums – Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Our outdoor living history sites and programs are supported by living history interpreters, who create engaging and immersive educational experiences using material culture and historical content to foster curiosity, empathy and understanding regarding the perspectives, cultures and experiences of Indigenous, African and European peoples. Our five sites include the re-created Paspahegh Town, James Fort, and the three ships- Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery at Jamestown Settlement, as well as an 18th Century Revolution Era Farm and Continental Army Encampment at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Our approach to living history interpretation is as educators in a 3rd person role, using a range of teaching methodologies to present to a diverse public.

Job Duties

Living History Interpreters serve as front line education staff, working directly with the public in a non-traditional learning environment. Using a variety of established educational methods, material culture, approved content and effective communication skills; living history interpreters present costumed and non-costumed interpretation and educational programming in our outdoor living history sites to depict the culture, events and concerns of 17th and/or 18th century American Indian, African and European cultures as they converged here in Virginia, and the enduring legacies they bequeathed to the nation.

The historical interpreters working in our Revolution-era farm, draw from the well-documented life, family, and farm of Edward Moss (c.1757-1786), who lived in York County, Virginia. Using these records as a frame of reference, along with material culture, approved curatorial and primary source content, staff are able to talk about farm and domestic life, as well as enslaved African Americans during the American Revolution. In addition to and in support of educational and historic programs, staff provide care and maintenance of domestic animals, gardens, crops, and supporting material culture.

Minimum Qualifications

• Commitment to learning approved historical content and teaching methodologies for creating engaging guest interactions.
• Enthusiasm and skill for interacting with a wide range of audiences.
• Expressed ability to demonstrate and foster empathy amongst colleagues and guests.
• Strong speaking, presenting, and active listening skills.
• Ability to read, assimilate and utilize curatorial approved information.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with people of diverse cultures, perspectives, ages, and economic backgrounds.
• Exhibited positive approach to problem solving, taking on new tasks, and collaborating effectively with others.
• Familiarity with mentoring, coaching or training staff.
• Experience working in a customer service forward role or environment. 
• General historic content knowledge or educational skills attained through coursework or equivalent work experience. 

Additional Considerations

Experience working in an educational environment such as a museum, historic site, classroom or similar setting.

Relevant trades, agriculture or animal husbandry knowledge or experience not required but may be helpful in consideration for this role.

Learned knowledge of Colonial Settlement, The American Revolution and/or The New Nation time periods could be additionally beneficial.

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: Lee Shelhorse

Phone:757-253-4553

Email: leeann.shelhorse@jyf.virginia.gov

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.