Job Listing
🔗Project Preservationist

Website George Washington's Mount Vernon
Open 365 days of the year, Mount Vernon is the most popular historic estate in America. Over 96 million people have visited Mount Vernon since 1860, when the estate officially opened to the public. Today, Mount Vernon welcomes an average of one million guests each year. The estate, gardens, and farm of Mount Vernon totaled some 8,000 acres in the 18th century. Presently, an estimated 500 acres of this historic property have been painstakingly preserved along the banks of the Potomac River.
Project-Funded Project Preservationist
Full-Time
Position Overview:
The Temporary Project Preservationist is a project-funded full-time, non-exempt position, working within the Historic Preservation and Collections Department under the direct supervision of the Restoration Manager and with mentorship from the Architectural Research Manager. The Temporary Project Preservationist is charged with supporting the overall mission of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and the Historic Preservation and Collections department to conserve, maintain, record, and study the historic resources of Mount Vernon, with a particular focus on the cellar restoration: maintaining an on-site, collaborative presence in the cellar and executing research and documentation in support of the project. The preservationist will work closely with members of the architecture team and broader Mount Vernon team dedicated to the cellar restoration, including the Director of Preservation, Restoration Manager, Architectural Research Manager, Assistant Restoration Manager, Preservation Carpenters, Preservation Conservator, Preservation Technicians, Project Manager, and fellow Project Preservationist.
Compensation:
Starting at $20.00/hour
Expected Hours:
40 hours/week, Monday-Friday
Responsibilities:
- Executes the project-specific work plan under the direction of the Architectural Research Manager, acts as an on-site liaison, provides regular project updates, and participates in recurring meetings with project team members and team leadership to aid in leadership’s decision-making.
- Uses digital and written documentation methods to memorialize targeted project activities both independently and with the documentation team, produces archival work products in the form of drawings, framing schedules, annotated images, and written reports, and adopts new digital preservation technologies as necessary.
- Maintains a daily log of project activities and progress, including tracking of documents produced. Develops an in-depth understanding of the project schedule to inform daily responsibilities, to anticipate documentation needs, and to communicate documentation triggers to the Architectural Research Manager.
- Produces photographic documentation of work-in-process, areas of repair, and areas for documentation, including metadata entry, photo editing, and final processing. Also maintains a daily log of photographs taken and processing status and completes photo processing in a timely manner.
- Compiles a running list of HBIM parameter content updates for eventual import into the Mount Vernon HBIM model. This will require developing an understanding of HBIM naming conventions and the HBIM model parameters.
- Drafts weekly social media updates regarding project progress and posts updates and/or collaborates with Mount Vernon’s media team on posting.
- Assists the Restoration Manager and Assistant Restoration Manager with oversight of contractors working in and around the cellar and with hands-on or administrative tasks, as necessary, gathers copies of drawings executed by the carpentry team for inclusion in the project documentation, and maintains open lines of communication.
- Collaborates with the Preservation Curator in accessioning architectural objects into the Preservation Collection, including developing written documentation.
- Executes administrative tasks as assigned, e.g., monitoring and submitting supply needs as they relate to cellar research and documentation, coordinating with IT, Security, and Interpretation, etc.
- Undertakes other duties as assigned.
Benefits:
- 403(b) Retirement plan with employer matching
- Employee recognition at 5 years of service
- Monthly employee events
- Employee referral program
- Flexible work schedule
- On-site Library
- Discount on Public Event Tickets
- Discount in the Mount Vernon Shops
- Discount at the Mount Vernon Inn and Food Court Pavilion
- Free parking
Mount Vernon is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to building and retaining a team that represents a variety of skills, experiences and perspectives. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, performance, and qualifications without regard to race, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, gender/sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, veteran and military status, family or parental status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Mount Vernon will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.