Seasonal Job Opportunities at Mount Vernon

Position:

Curatorial Internship Fall 2013

Department:

Historic Preservation and Collections

Introduction:

Mount Vernon, the home of George and Martha Washington, originally extended over eight thousand acres and was divided into five farms. The property remained in the Washington family until 1858, when it was purchased by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, a non-profit organization founded by Ann Pamela Cunningham in 1853 to “perpetuate the sacred memory of ‘the Father of his Country’” and to “preserve the relics at Mount Vernon.” The current historic site encompasses George Washington’s original Mansion House Farm and consists of 500 acres; in addition to the Mansion and outbuildings, it also features an Orientation Center, Education Center, and Museum. The estate welcomes approximately 1 million visitors a year. Major responsibilities of the Collections Department include ensuring that the objects on view in the Mansion and outbuildings are historically accurate and preserved for these visitors and developing and maintaining permanent and changing exhibitions in the Museum galleries of the Donald W. Reynolds Education Center and Museum.

Internship description:

Under the immediate supervision of the Associate Curator, the intern’s primary responsibility will be to assist with research and development of a comprehensive furnishing plan for the nine bedchambers in the Mansion. The intern will also create “desiderata” sheets for any proposed objects needed to implement the furnishing plan. 

Other responsibilities may include:

Contributing information for object-based blog entries (www.georgewashingtonwired.com).
Other projects as assigned.

Compensation and hours:

The intern is expected to fulfill a 100-hour commitment during the Fall 2013 semester  (approx. 8-10 hrs/wk during the period Sept. 30, 2013 – Dec. 2013).  The exact schedule will be determined in consultation with the supervisor. Compensation in the amount of $3,000 is offered for this internship, payable on Mount Vernon’s bi-weekly pay schedule. Mount Vernon is happy to work with the intern’s academic program to provide credit for the internship period.  

Qualifications:

Applicants should be currently enrolled in or recent graduates of M.A. or Ph.D. programs in American material culture or decorative arts, Museum Studies, American Studies, or Public History. Preference will be given to applicants who possess a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of 18th-century fine or decorative arts or Chesapeake social history.  The ideal candidate will be able to work independently and possess strong research and writing skills.  

How to apply:

By May 24, 2013, Please send a résumé and letter of interest stating how you would benefit from an internship at Mount Vernon, plus contact information for three references, to Amanda Isaac, Associate Curator (aisaac@mountvernon.org )

Position:

Guest Services Staff  

Department:

Guest Services

Introduction:

The Guest Services Department at Mount Vernon is committed to providing excellence in service for more than a million visitors a year. We are the face of Mount Vernon, the first and last contact on our guests’ quest to discover Mount Vernon.

Description:

We assist our guests with all of their needs including: helping them find parking, selling them admission tickets, audio tours and boat rides and answering all their questions and concerns. We staff information desks, hand out materials, start movies and attend to queuing and crowd control at the Mansion.  We are looking for outgoing, friendly and cheerful people to join our team for this season.  We are a tourism based organization and take great pride in being open 365 days a year thus; weekends and holiday work are required. Seasonal position, but during high visitation periods 40 hours per week may be required.  

Responsibilities:

• Provide the first point of contact; warmly and actively greet visitors
• Computer based ticket sales and cash handling
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Estate, daily activities and resources to accommodate needs of guests
• Provide information and directional assistance
• Understand the roles of other departments and provide assistance as needed
• Assist in providing a safe and secure environment for guests and employees
• Oversee and protect Estate resources and maintain physical integrity of Estate 

Qualifications:

• Excellent customer service skills
• Outgoing and friendly demeanor required
• Must be able to communicate clearly and cheerfully in English
• Uniform attire will be provided and must be maintained and worn to present a professional image
• Walking and/or standing for long periods of time; bending and stooping
• Computer knowledge preferred including MS office suite

Please forward a resume, cover letter and salary history/requirement by email to hrmail@mountvernon.org, by fax to 703.780.8320 or by US Mail to POB 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.  MVLA applications may be downloaded from our website at www.MountVernon.org or picked up in person at the Ticket Window, Restaurant or Retail shops.

Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer