What are the responsibilities and job description for the Museum Interpreter position at NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN THE US?
Company Description
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and sharing America’s historic places. At Oatlands, a National Trust historic site in Leesburg, Virginia, we steward 400 acres of cultural landscape, gardens, and historic buildings dating back to 1798.
Situated on the ancestral lands of the Manahoac and Piscataway peoples, Oatlands is a former plantation and site of enslavement. Today, it serves as a living learning landscape, where we engage the public in honest, inclusive storytelling that connects history, nature, and community. Our work centers on fostering understanding, promoting sustainability, and contributing to community repair.
Role Description
Oatlands is seeking part-time Museum Interpreters to join our team and help bring the site’s powerful history to life. This role is ideal for individuals with a passion for local history, public engagement, and storytelling, and who are excited to work part-time hours, including weekends.
Museum Interpreters serve as the primary point of contact for visitors, leading engaging, dialogue-based tours and facilitating meaningful conversations about the site’s layered history. Interpreters also support school programs, public events, and daily site operations.
Key Details:
- Part-time (20–25 hours/week)
- 2–3 days per week, including at least one Sunday per month
- Seasonal: Mid-April through December 2026
- On-site in Leesburg, VA
- $20/hour
What you'll be doing
- Lead interactive, discussion-based tours for diverse audiences, sharing the full and complex history of Oatlands
- Facilitate thoughtful conversations about topics including enslavement, race, and community history
- Support school field trips and education programs (on-site and occasional in-school programs)
- Assist with special events, visitor services, and daily site operations
- Learn and deliver specialty tours (such as garden or thematic tours)
- Conduct independent research and ongoing learning to deepen historical knowledge
- Help maintain a welcoming, safe, and engaging visitor experience across the site
Qualifications
- Strong public speaking and storytelling skills; comfort engaging with visitors of all ages
- Interest in or knowledge of Loudoun County history, African American history, or public history (highly valued)
- Ability to facilitate respectful, inclusive conversations about complex historical topics
- Experience in education, museums, customer service, or public-facing roles preferred
- Collaborative, reliable, and adaptable in a dynamic environment
- Ability to work outdoors and on your feet for extended periods
- Availability for weekends and holidays
Salary : $20