Exhibits Technician

DHRM•Williamsburg, VA

About The Position

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is seeking a hands-on Exhibits Technician to construct and maintain outdoor period-style structures at its living-history sites. The role’s primary responsibility is building outdoor replicas—including houses, fences, workshops, outbuildings, Indigenous yehakins, and heavy timber-frame buildings—using traditional, non-power woodworking methods. The technician reads and interprets detailed plans based on curatorial guidance, research, and archaeological data, and uses historic techniques such as thatching, wattle and daub, riving, and treating lumber against pests. The Exhibits Technician also maintains outdoor exhibits at both sites. These include timber-frame and Indigenous structures, historical fencing, period fixtures and furniture, artillery carriages, benches, and signage. The technician responds proactively to safety, breakage, and public-appearance needs and keeps repairs on a progressive maintenance schedule. The position requires planning and organization, including submitting project plans and materials lists in advance, notifying site coordinators and security about scheduled work, maintaining an orderly and well-stocked shop, and following Foundation safety, timekeeping, and administrative policies. Some periodic work before and after normal business hours may be required.

Requirements

Knowledge of historic woodworking, historic masonry, metalworking, and thatching.
Skills in woodworking and using multiple materials for reproductions.
Ability to read, comprehend, and analyze new information from curators.
Ability to read and produce plans, plan maintenance schedules, and keep existing structures safe and functioning.
Ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively in a creative environment with other builders.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Knowledge of museum education techniques and resources.
Demonstrated ability to research, write, and organize resources effectively to achieve objectives.
Ability to collaborate and work as a team player.

Nice To Haves

Historic structure-building experience is essential; prior experience in thatching, wattle and daub, and log-house building is strongly preferred.
Knowledge of other historic crafts, Indigenous village-building skills, and farm life.
Experience mentoring a diverse staff is strongly preferred.
Teaching and historical research experience at a variety of levels.

Responsibilities

Construct outdoor replica structures, including houses, fences, workshops, outbuildings, Indigenous yehakins, and heavy timber-frame buildings, using traditional non-power woodworking methods.
Read and interpret detailed plans developed from curatorial guidance, research, and archaeological data.
Apply historic techniques such as thatching, wattle and daub, riving, and treating lumber against pests.
Maintain outdoor exhibits at both sites, including structures, fencing, period fixtures and furniture, artillery carriages, benches, and signage.
Respond to safety, breakage, and public-appearance needs and maintain a progressive repair schedule.
Submit project plans and materials lists in advance.
Notify site coordinators and security of scheduled work.
Maintain an orderly and well-stocked shop.
Comply with Foundation safety, timekeeping, and administrative policies.
Assist and provide support in training, coaching, and mentoring.