What are the responsibilities and job description for the Monticello Guides (Part-Time) position at Thomas Jefferson Foundation?
About The Thomas Jefferson Foundation
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has a twofold mission of preservation and education, and was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Today, the Foundation seeks to bring history forward into national and global dialogues by engaging audiences with Jefferson's world and ideas, and sharing the history of everyone, enslaved and free, who lived and labored at Monticello. Monticello is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a United Nations World Heritage Site, and a Site of Conscience.
Monticello Guide (Part-Time)
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation is seeking part-time guides eager to engage diverse audiences with the history of the founding of the United States. Tours of the site focus on the fundamental themes of innovation, freedom, self-governance, slavery, and its legacies. Monticello guides are committed to working as a part of a team to ensure an excellent guest experience.
Candidates should be eager to engage with a broad variety of perspectives about the past. Availability to work some weekends, evenings, and holidays is required. B.A. degree with a major in a relevant field preferred but equivalent work experience will be considered.
Monticello Guides engage visitors to Monticello through the interpretation of history. Crafting a unique tour narrative is a requirement for this position. While artificial intelligence (AI) can be a helpful and efficient tool, we ask that applicants for this position refrain from utilizing AI to create cover letters or other documents used in the application process. Please note that your submission may be reviewed using an AI detector and may be part of the evaluation process for this position.
Training: Applicants should attend all days of training. All training is paid time. Training will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from August 4th – September 1st. Most sessions will be approximately 9am - 5:30pm, but a couple days will be 10:30am - 7pm.
Hiring timeline:
We provide the following benefits for part-time employees:
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has a twofold mission of preservation and education, and was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Today, the Foundation seeks to bring history forward into national and global dialogues by engaging audiences with Jefferson's world and ideas, and sharing the history of everyone, enslaved and free, who lived and labored at Monticello. Monticello is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a United Nations World Heritage Site, and a Site of Conscience.
Monticello Guide (Part-Time)
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation is seeking part-time guides eager to engage diverse audiences with the history of the founding of the United States. Tours of the site focus on the fundamental themes of innovation, freedom, self-governance, slavery, and its legacies. Monticello guides are committed to working as a part of a team to ensure an excellent guest experience.
Candidates should be eager to engage with a broad variety of perspectives about the past. Availability to work some weekends, evenings, and holidays is required. B.A. degree with a major in a relevant field preferred but equivalent work experience will be considered.
Monticello Guides engage visitors to Monticello through the interpretation of history. Crafting a unique tour narrative is a requirement for this position. While artificial intelligence (AI) can be a helpful and efficient tool, we ask that applicants for this position refrain from utilizing AI to create cover letters or other documents used in the application process. Please note that your submission may be reviewed using an AI detector and may be part of the evaluation process for this position.
Training: Applicants should attend all days of training. All training is paid time. Training will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from August 4th – September 1st. Most sessions will be approximately 9am - 5:30pm, but a couple days will be 10:30am - 7pm.
Hiring timeline:
- Position closes: June 14th, 2026
- Phone and in-person interviews conducted: late May through early July
- Offers extended: by mid-July
We provide the following benefits for part-time employees:
- 401(k) retirement savings plan up to a 6% match.
- Fitness club membership discount.
- Discount in the Monticello Café, gift shop, and Monticello online catalog.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – free for employee and dependents.
- $500 employee referral bonus.
- Exciting quarterly social events for all employees.