​​Apprentice Carpenter​

About the role

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution founded in 1926. It owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the U.S., including the restored colonial capital of Williamsburg, Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Engage guests with accurate 18th-century history and daily life.
• Provide site orientation and foundational historical content.
• Foster guest interactions and adapt presentations to diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with senior interpreters on complex topics.
• Continuously improve interpretive skills and meet departmental goals.
• Maintain performance standards essential for journeyman advancement.
• Synthesize historical scholarship and primary sources into engaging narratives.
• Conduct object-based research using original artifacts.
• Understand period techniques and styles to enhance interpretive work.
• Balance content across interpretation, technique, and aesthetics.
• Learn traditional carpentry using 18th-century methods.
• Assist in historically accurate building construction.
• Train under journeymen while progressing to independent tasks.
• Execute trade tasks to period standards and perform public demonstrations.
• Develop skills in timber framing and material fabrication.
• Follow the curriculum with annual evaluations and complete all apprenticeship components for promotion.
• Adhere to safety procedures for tools and worksites.
• Ensure crew and guest safety, demonstrating safe practices in all environments.

Requirements

• High school degree/G.E.D. with a general knowledge of 18th c. colonial history.
• Valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• At least 21 years of age.
• No more than 1 moving violation or at fault accident within 12 months.
• No more than 2 moving violations or at fault accidents within 36 months.
• No serious motor vehicle violations including excessive speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, suspended or revoked license, etc.

Qualifications

• Four-year Degree in American History and/or Successful Completion or Certification from a Trade School with a concentration in handwork.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Strong knowledge of computer systems, including Microsoft 365.
• Provide Excellent Customer Service to internal and external clients.
• Ability to do research, learn, and teach different skills, varied hand skills usually gained through progressive work experience.
• Able to provide logical and creative solutions within a fast-paced environment.
• Able to work independently and with minimal direction, meeting deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends.

Key Skills / Competencies

• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Strong knowledge of computer systems, including Microsoft 365.
• Provide Excellent Customer Service to internal and external clients.
• Ability to do research, learn, and teach different skills, varied hand skills usually gained through progressive work experience.
• Able to provide logical and creative solutions within a fast-paced environment.
• Able to work independently and with minimal direction, meeting deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Stand: Frequently
• Walk: Frequently
• Sit: Frequently
• Use hands/fingers: Occasionally
• Climb or balance: Frequently
• Stoop/kneel/crawl: Frequently
• Reach with hands/arms: Frequently
• Talk or hear: Constantly
• Lift up to 10 lbs: Constantly
• Lift up to 25 lbs: Frequently
• Lift up to 50 lbs (with assistance): Occasionally
• Lift up to 100 lbs (with assistance): Occasionally
• More than 100 lbs (with assistance): Occasionally
• Work near moving mechanical parts: Rarely/Never
• Fumes/airborne particles: Rarely/Never
• Extreme cold: Frequently
• Extreme heat: Frequently

Typical Work Schedule

5 days/week, 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week.

Compensation

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $20.30 to $22.10 per hour. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the selected candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and the specific requirements of the role.