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Description
~ The Accokeek Foundation, is a nonprofit educational organization involved in land stewardship, historical preservation and sustainable agriculture. ~
Position Overview
The Manager of the National Colonial Farm cares for the historical and agricultural resources of the National Colonial Farm and provides guidance and leadership in how those resources are interpreted to the public through public events, daily interpretation, and school programs. Another important part of the role is to provide historic expertise and knowledge of environmental sustainability as a backbone for interpretive programs.
The person in this position will be an integral player in transitioning the interpretation on the National Colonial Farm to model where the historic narrative is combined with an examination of environmental sustainability.
Responsibilities
Specific Duties:
- Cultivate fields at the colonial farm, making hills, planting and tending crops, harvesting crops and saving seed using a combination or modern and historic techniques
- Curates household artifacts and farming implements present on the National Colonial Farm
- Involve visitors in learning activities on the farm
- Act as Site Supervisor, overseeing interpreters or volunteers, when needed
- Oversee design and care of Kitchen Garden, including researching, planting, weeding and saving seeds
- Oversee care of the Museum Garden and assist the Agriculture Education Manager in curating botanical exhibits in this area
- Oversee care and maintenance of historical buildings
- Assist Livestock Manager with management of all heritage breed livestock on farm
- Provide expertise on colonial history and environmental sustainability to ensure that all information relayed to the public is well researched and accurate
- Work with Director of Programs and Visitor Engagement in development and delivery of programs related to the Foundation's Strategic Plan
- College degree in history, sustainable agriculture, education, environmental science or related field
- Small-scale, historic farming experience
- Knowledge of historic preservation
- Knowledge of current-day environmentally sustainable agricultural practice
- Previous living history museum experience, including demonstration of historic farming techniques
- Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, and diplomacy necessary to facilitate discussion around sensitive topics
- Comfort around large and small animals
- Willing and able to work outside in various weather conditions
- Able to lift 50 pounds
- Willing to work in costume when needed
Highly Desired Qualities:
- Personal commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship
- Strong interest in education, including designing interactive learning experiences
- Experience in drama, including both third-person and first-person living history interpretation
- Experience working with children
Additional Information about Accokeek
The Accokeek Foundation has a mission to connect people to history, agriculture, and nature through innovative educational programs and engaging visitor experiences.
Founded over fifty years ago to "preserve the view" from George Washington's Mount Vernon, the Foundation was one of the first land trusts, blazing new trails in preservation through a public/private partnership that led to the creation of Piscataway Park, a nearly 5000-acre national park.
Through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service, the Foundation cares for two hundred acres of the park, while fulfilling its mission.
This working landscape includes the National Colonial Farm (demonstrates life of a tobacco planter on the eve of the American Revolution) the Ecosystem Farm (demonstrates sustainable agriculture on an 8-acre organic vegetable farm), heritage breed livestock, nature trails, gardens, a fishing pier, and boat dock (with kayak launch). In addition, this is the sacred homeland of the Piscataway people, and its significance as an indigenous cultural landscape makes it a key site on several national trails.
To Apply
- Please use the email adress below to email a cover letter and resume.
- Type "Manager of National Colonial Farm" into the subject line.
- Deadline to apply is September 12, 2014.