Evening Programs Interpreter, Attendant/Cresset (Part Time)

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation • Williamsburg, VA

78d

About The Position

Building attendants and cresset attendants support Evening Program and Special Event operations by preparing buildings, setting up lighting, greeting guests, checking tickets, and providing exceptional guest service and hospitality. Building and cresset attendants provide illumination for Evening Programs and Special Events using lanterns, candles, and cresset baskets by chopping and splitting wood, ensuring that an adequate supply is on hand for each cresset, building bonfires and fires in the cresset baskets and feeding fires to ensure adequate supplies of light. They arrange historic buildings for evening programs prior to events, including arranging furnishings and artifacts, candles, lanterns, and other lighting devices, and then replacing everything to the correct position after the program. They maintain lanterns, globes, and cresset baskets, including moving burning cressets to new locations as needed and extinguishing cressets and candles at the end of the programming following fire safety protocols. Additionally, they monitor audiences and crowds to ensure compliance with fire safety protocols. Building and cresset attendants provide exceptional guest service by greeting and escorting ticketed guests into buildings, answering general questions, and providing general conservation comments. They orient visitors and respond to guest questions while maintaining a caring attitude guided by integrity, truthfulness, fairness, courtesy, and respect for the individual. Building and cresset attendants work collaboratively to achieve the mission of Colonial Williamsburg by modeling the organization's personal/professional expectations and participating as an active member of a team. They also perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Completion of 4 years of college or 2-4 years of experience in storytelling, historical interpretation, theater, or related field, or any combination of education and experience that fulfills the responsibilities of the job
• Ability to gain general knowledge of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation policies and procedures
• Familiarity with the physical layout of Historic Area and interior of exhibition buildings
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weeknights, holidays, and weekends
• Ability to provide annual availability that includes a minimum of 2 evenings per week and up to 4 evenings per week during peak demand
• Ability to navigate rough terrain and steep stairs in low light conditions
• Good overall attendance, work ethic, and attitude to work as part of a team
• Exceptional problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in all types of weather and come in contact with allergens
• Ability to move 50lbs unassisted and 100lbs assisted
• Willingness to wear provided 18th clothing according to guidelines

Responsibilities

• Prepare buildings for Evening Programs and Special Events
• Set up lighting using lanterns, candles, and cresset baskets
• Chop and split wood for cressets
• Build and maintain bonfires and fires in cresset baskets
• Arrange historic buildings for evening programs
• Maintain lanterns, globes, and cresset baskets
• Monitor audiences for fire safety compliance
• Provide exceptional guest service and hospitality
• Greet and escort ticketed guests
• Orient visitors and respond to guest questions
• Work collaboratively as part of a team
• Perform other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
• Education Level: No Education Listed