Title: Living History Interpreter- James Fort

State Role Title: Education Support Spec II

Hiring Range: $38,000

Pay Band:

Agency: Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

Location: Jamestown General

Agency Website: jyfmuseums.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Agency 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.

Interpretative Services Overview

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by living history interpreters, who create engaging and immersive educational experiences using material culture and historical content to foster curiosity, empathy and understanding regarding the perspectives, cultures and experiences of Indigenous, African and European peoples.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

We are seeking qualified, enthusiastic individuals to present engaging educational experiences through living history interpretation and to guests of varying ages at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Duties include hands-on teaching, using the site structures and artifacts while incorporating historical information and encouraging critical thinking and dialogue relating to the diverse perspectives, experiences and enduring legacies of 17th- and/or 18th-century American Indian, European, and African cultures as they converged here in Virginia.

This position will be in the re-created James Fort, where staff will engage guests through the exploration of site structures such as thatched roof buildings, historic trades demonstrations, agriculture and using additional material culture to help guests make relevant connections between the past and present through the diverse perspectives of those who experienced it. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of and ability to learn approved historical content and teaching methodologies.
• 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 and taking on new tasks.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a contributing member of a team
• 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 is not required but may be helpful in consideration for this role.

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 Ann 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.