Job Opportunities Currently Available at Monticello

The Charlottesville area's best tourist attraction is a great place to work! Monticello offers educational, unique work experiences with competitive pay and benefits.  Our full time positions offer a benefit package that includes health and dental insurance, 401(k) retirement savings program, paid vacation and holiday time, life insurance, and more.  All of our employees enjoy a generous discount at our Museum Shop and many lectures and educational opportunities throughout the year.

• How to apply
• Internships (summer 2013)
• Volunteer Opportunities—The Thomas Jefferson Foundation is looking to grow our dedicated team of volunteers.  We welcome volunteers in several areas including our Visitor Center, the Jefferson Library, the Center for Historic Plants, and at special events around the mountaintop.  Positions are varied and shifts are flexible. Contact volunteer@monticello.org or 434.984.9869 if you have questions or would like more details, and please complete our volunteer application so we can learn more about you and your interests. 

The Foundation is currently recruiting for the following positions:

Assistant/Associate Curator, Monticello. [Position #455] The Thomas Jefferson Foundation seeks an Assistant or Associate Curator (depending on experience) to assist the Senior Curator/VP for Museum Programs in the achievement of the Curatorial department’s research and exhibition objectives.  Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Foundation is the private nonprofit organization that owns and operates Monticello, the home and plantation of Thomas Jefferson, as well as a museum and visitor center, library and academic center, and conference/education center, all to advance its mission of preservation and education.  Monticello annually attracts nearly 450,000 visitors onsite and more than 2 million web visitors.  The successful candidate will conduct varied research related to Jefferson and Monticello resulting in exhibitions and publications, respond to public and scholarly inquiries, give talks to staff and others, speak with journalists, write related grant proposals, and work with a team of archaeologists, curators, historians, and educators.

Qualifications:  5-10 years relevant museum experience.  Serious potential candidates will have demonstrated knowledge of standard museum practice, especially exhibitions; superior writing skills at an academic level; and excellent communication and presentation skills.  Extensive understanding of art and decorative arts are essential as well as knowledge of American history, Thomas Jefferson, and Monticello. Graduate level education required, Ph.D preferred.  Please send cover letters, resumes, and other employment materials no later than May 1, 2013.  (Added April 1, 2013)

Director of Guest Relations (Full-time). [Position # 448] The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc. the non-profit that owns and operates Monticello, the historic estate of Thomas Jefferson, is looking for a dynamic professional to lead our guest relations areas.  Reporting to the Vice President for Visitor Services and Programs, the Director provides oversight to our ticketing, reservations, visitor services, and transportation departments.  Primary focus is developing and empowering frontline staff to deliver top-notch service for Monticello’s visitors of all ages and interests.
Qualifications:  Qualified candidates will possess a minimum five years’ management experience in a customer service related industry, have knowledge of tourism and customer service best practices, including service recovery and customer resource management practices.  The successful applicant will demonstrate effective leadership in his or her previous work and the ability to manage multiple levels of staff.  The Director of Guest Relations must have the proven ability to provide vision, set priorities, and communicate effectively to staff within the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and to our partners, stakeholders, and guests.  The successful applicant will demonstrate proficiency with retail, mid-size bus transportation, ticketing, and CRM databases and the ability to generate and analyze reports and data.  Bachelor’s degree required.  Open until filled. (Added March 19, 2013)

Fulfillment Associate (Temporary).  [Position # 454] Monticello has the perfect opportunity for you to work part-time at our busy Distribution Center located in Ivy.  Individual will stock, pack, ship, receive, and inspect merchandise for our museum shop and growing catalog operation. Candidates must have good math skills and neat handwriting. Some computer and warehouse experience helpful. Physical labor required. Position requires repetitive lifting of up to 25 lbs., as well as constant standing, twisting, reaching, and working on ladders.  Must be able to work up to 24 hours per week, potentially increasing to 32 hours per week from August - December, to include some weekends.  The part-time work hours will range between 8 AM and 5 PM. Deadline to apply is April 12. (Added April 1, 2013)

Marketing and Communications Officer.  [Position #453] The Thomas Jefferson Foundation seeks a dynamic marketing and communications professional to join our marketing team.  Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Foundation is the private, nonprofit organization that owns and operates Monticello, the home and plantation of Thomas Jefferson, as well as a museum and visitor center, library and academic center, and conference/education center, all to advance its mission of preservation and education. Monticello annually attracts nearly 450,000 on-site, and more than 2 million web visitors.  With a vision of global engagement, it operates programs and conferences nationally and internationally. The successful candidate will be responsible for cultivating productive relationships with the media, producing sophisticated and brand-centered marketing collateral, and serving as editor of Monticello print and e-newsletters and annual events calendar circular.

Qualifications:  Minimum 3 to 5 years’ experience in managing media relations, strategic communications, and social media.  Ability to manage an array of strategic and tactical marketing projects with multiple partners, both internal and external.  High energy and strong interpersonal skills ensuring the ability to work with multifaceted staff and Foundation partners; proven ability to influence others.  Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or marketing preferred.  Applicants for this position must submit a cover letter, resume with three references, and salary requirements to resumes@monticello.org no later than April 12, 2013.  The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  (Added March 12, 2013)

Retail Product Developer (Freelance). Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, is looking for a creative, contract basis, freelance retail product developer to research and develop related merchandise for its multi-channel business which includes shops on the grounds of Monticello, an online store and a mail order catalog.  The successful candidate will have retail gift product design experience, including packaging design. The ability to develop relationships with vendors to produce licensed and related merchandise is important.  Strong computer skills, including Creative Suite experience, along with effective communication skills, and the ability to work remotely are required. Free-hand drawing skills are helpful.

Responsibilities:

• Work on product design concepts from start to finish.  Come up with fresh ideas for products that relate to Monticello’s mission and work with manufacturers to get the product produced. Maintain quality control and product specifications on proprietary merchandise.
• Work with the Director of Retail to ensure the branding and product mix is in line with the overall retail strategy.
• Ensure all proprietary packaging is attractive and promotes the brand image.
• Be an ambassador for the Monticello business; form strong relationships with established and emerging wholesale resources at show time and year round.

Essential Skills & Requirements:

• College degree with an emphasis on design/graphic design
• Relevant experience in gift, fashion or gourmet food retailing
• Significant commercial experience in a product development/buying role
• Entrepreneurial spirit with creative flair
• Strong computer skills including Creative Suite experience.  Free hand drawing experience is a plus.

Those interested should submit a resume and letter of interest to resumes@monticello.org, ATTN:  Sharon McElroy. (Added February 19, 2013)

 Team Leader - Museum Shop.  [Position #458] The Thomas Jefferson Foundation seeks a Team Leader for our dynamic Museum Shop located at the Monticello Visitor Center.  This position is our merchandise expert and performs as a key holder helping to open and close the museum shop, and will reconcile cash for the bank deposit in the absence of the Office Assistant.  Primary focus for the team leader is to ensure Monticello guests are assisted promptly in our retail shop.  Other responsibilities include creating merchandise displays, filling the sales floor to capacity and shopability, communicating merchandise out-of stocks to shop leadership, and maintaining inventory integrity and organization of understock goods.  Qualified candidates will have superior customer service skills, experience with cash handling, and computer competency.  Team Leaders work flexible schedules that include weekends, holidays and special events.  This is a full-time, benefitted position.  Interested applicants should apply no later than April 19. (Added April 4, 2013)