Position:  Manager of Restoration 

Department:  Preservation

The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association seeks a highly motivated historic preservation professional to fill the position of Manager of Restoration.  This individual will oversee the preservation of the historic structures at Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, the National Landmark home of George Washington. 

Responsibilities include overseeing a comprehensive program of maintenance for more than 20 historic structures, directing conservation of historic building fabric, and maintaining an extensive architectural fragments collection.  The Manager of Restoration works under the
supervision of the Associate Director for Preservation. 

• Must hold a MA or MS degree in historic preservation, architectural history, architecture, or art history, with course work in architectural conservation
• At least three years experience working in the historic preservation field
• Demonstrated familiarity with 18th-century building methods and materials, and experience in their repair and replacement preferred  

This is a full-time, permanent position with health and retirement benefits.  Applicants should send a letter of interest and resume by September 15, 2008, to:

Dennis J. Pogue, PhD
Associate Director for Preservation
Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens
P.O. Box 110
Mount Vernon, VA  22121
dpogue@mountvernon.org

Or to Human Resources: hrmail@mountvernon.org, or via fax to 703.780.8320. 

Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position:  Reservations Coordinator

Department: Guest Services

General Description:  The Reservations Coordinator is responsible for coordinating requests from tour operators, group leaders, individuals and schools etc. for pre-purchased tickets, meals, guide service, cruises, etc.  Work schedule includes weekends, holidays and some evening hours for special events. 

Essential Functions:

Handles incoming calls from clients requesting pre-purchase admission tickets and other group programs; Processes online reservation request forms; Coordinates client requests with various other departments; Handles incoming client inquiries/emails; Provide proper group reservation information;  Up-sells programs; Helps clients plan daily itineraries; Ensure close communication w./other internal departments to ensure preparation and ensure positive visitor experience; Enters orders correctly into reservation system; Sends client proper information (invoices, menus, etc.) as needed for each order; Ensures proper payment is made on time; Works with Finance department as needed; Researches discrepancies with group payments;  Manages group ticket windows and accommodates arriving groups with tickets and guidelines; Answers professional group ticketing line, checks and returns voice mails, and processes ticket orders accordingly; Maintains supplies for group sales functions including ticket stock for Food Court vouchers and hotel vouchers; Coordinates fulfillment of tickets and programs sold through Education dept.; Books special event programs for groups and individuals; Meets and greets groups as necessary.
 

Qualifications:

•      A high school diploma.
•      Three years experience in a guest service environment
•      Excellent customer service, organizational and clerical skills required.
•      Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point)
•      Proven skills in verbal and written communication
•      Ability to maintain a positive attitude in a hectic environment
•      Experience in a call center environment preferred
•      Experience with ticketing processes and systems preferred
•      Must be able to perform normal physical activity for an office  environment
   

Please send a cover letter and resume with salary history to Human Resources: hrmail@mountvernon.org, by fax to 703.780.8320 or by US Mail to POB 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position:  Manager

Department: Guest Services

General Description:  The Guest Services Manager oversees all operations within the Guest Services department to include ticketing, transportation, wharf operations and facility operations. Responsibilities include but are not limited to staffing, coaching of staff, guest relations, budgeting and acting as a liaison to other departments.

Duties/Essential Functions:
Interview, hire, coach and terminate a staff of approximately 40 for the GS department; Directly supervise the GS Assistant Manager and work effectively with various other departmental managers;  Respond to and resolve effectively any guest issues, concerns or complaints and coach staff to do same;  Create an atmosphere of cooperation and ensure
staff’s commitment to offering exceptional customer service;  Create, implement and maintain effective incentive programs and staff development plans; Create and implement policy and procedure for a variety of guest services tasks and departmental guidelines;  Provide intra-staff  communications on current activities, special events, promotions
and other pertinent information;  Oversee the proper coordination for special events and fulfillment of all support requests;  Develop and maintain training programs including documentation and scheduled training time for each area of responsibility;  Ensure proper financial accountability for ticket sales, trouble shoot ticketing issues and adhere to checks and balances;  Provide and maintain a safe work environment and comply with ADA guidelines in all areas of responsibility;  Create and submit reports in timely fashion to include monthly updates and event analysis;  Analyze visitation patterns and implement and maintain metrics associated with visitation;  Evaluate office mechanics and
determine the most efficient processes;  Ensure maintenance of signage, buildings and equipment in GS areas to include the wharf and shuttle busses;  Provide ownership through completion of GS related projects;  Offer feedback on events and promotions;  Participate in promotional and strategic planning;  Create and adhere to departmental budget.

Qualifications:
• High School diploma required; bachelors degree in hospitality or related field preferred

• Minimum 4 years supervisory experience; w./one year full responsibility for a department

• Experience with ticketing or an attraction handling a large volume of guests preferred

• Two years experience working directly with systems and variety of software

• Proficient in MS Office suite particularly Word, Excel, Outlook

• Ability to perform routine office/administrative activities

• Experience with hiring and training front-line staff

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Proven customer service record with two years experience interacting with the public in a  guest services role

Please send a cover letter and resume with salary history to Human Resources: hrmail@mountvernon.org, by fax to 703.780.8320 or by US Mail to POB 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position:  Building Services Supervisor

Department: Operations and Maintenance

Assist with the maintenance of Estate facilities and peripherals.  Maintenance of all associated equipment, machines, and tools. Previous supervisory experience required.   Position will interview, hire and supervise two shifts of custodial staff.

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions
• Strong organizational skills

Swing Shift – Hours to be determined. All shifts require rotating weekend and holiday work.

Please send a cover letter and resume with salary history to Human Resources: hrmail@mountvernon.org, by fax to 703.780.8320 or by US Mail to POB 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position: Education Programs Associate 

Department: Education

Basic responsibilities: This position is responsible for assisting with the planning, creation and implementation of Mount Vernon's Education Programs.  Annually, the Education Department executes more than ten programs and workshops. The Education Programs Associate will prepare and track budgets, prepare promotional material, lesson plans and curriculum.  A moderate amount of administrative tasks will be assigned, therefore strong writing, editing, organization and prioritization skills are necessary.  Experience with MS Office Suite required.

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are needed for:

• Oversight of contracts and vendors
• Conducting Programs and estate tours
• Representing Mount Vernon at various events

This is a full time job (35 hpw) and will require availability for over time

Please send a cover letter and resume with salary history to Human Resources: hrmail@mountvernon.org, by fax to 703.780.8320 or by US Mail to POB 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position: Ticketing Lead  

Department: Guest Services  

George Washington’s Historic Mount Vernon has an excellent opportunity for a “Ticketing Lead” position.  The ticketing lead will serve as primary contact and support for ticketing staff, answering questions and concerns, assisting with transactions, encouraging sales and setting the standard for guest service.  Leadership responsibilities include, but are not limited to daily balance of cashier sales and estate attendance/activities reporting, employee scheduling, coaching and communications, as well as customer service and issue resolution.  Candidates should have previous ticketing experience, preferably in the museum or similar tourism community.  This position requires availability on weekends, holidays and other non-traditional work hours as Mount Vernon is open 365 days. 

Required qualifications:

• Proven leadership track record
• Supervisory experience (one year minimum)
• Positive attitude and excellent customer service skills
• Ability to perform routine office activities inclusive of proficiency in MS Office suite
• A high school diploma

Duties will include: Production and maintenance of daily and monthly sales and cashier reporting;  Creation of weekly staffing schedule inclusive of adjustments, breaks etc…; Maintenance and distribution of daily attendance/activity and sales reports;  Distribution of departmental communications to staff inclusive of memos, policy information, complimentary ticket requests, current activities, special events and promotions, and assist “Group Sales” with phone calls and messages.

Please send a cover letter and resume with salary history to Human Resources: hrmail@mountvernon.org, by fax to 703.780.8320 or by US Mail to POB 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121. Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position:  Retail Sales

Department: Retail  

Busy Museum Gift Shop now hiring salespeople to work FT year-round in the Shops at Historic Mount Vernon, at the Home of George Washington.  Applicants are required to work one weekend day per week, however schedules are flexible and there are no evening hrs, except for special events.  Candidates must be able to perform cash register transactions, provide good customer service and possess outgoing, friendly personalities. Good benefits.  

Call M-F (703) 799-5233.  Applications may  be picked up in the Gift Shop 9-5pm, 7 days a week or downloaded off the website: www.MountVernon.org.  Applications and/or resumes may be sent via email to HRMail@MountVernon.org, or faxed to (703) 799-5237.

Department: Collections

George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens seeks a full-time data-entry assistant to aid in a three-year collections online initiative.  Working with the Collections Manager and curatorial staff, the assistants will be responsible for inputting and editing electronic records in the collections management database and managing the physical files. Positions will use collections files to edit, update and create electronic collections records; this will involve inputting curatorial and collections management information including interpretive text, accession history, locations and conservation treatment records. Assistants will also aid in developing data entry protocol, authorized vocabulary lists and in creating database reports.

B.A. in relevant field, attention to detail, and proficiency with computers and databases required; museum experience preferred.  Experience with Re:Discovery/FoxPro and/or TMS as well experience and/or interest in American material culture a plus.  Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume and three references to: Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, Human Resources Department, P.O. Box 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.  Applications may also be sent via fax to 703.780.8320 or by e-mail to hrmail@mountvernon.org.  Positions open until filled. EOE.

Title: Wait Staff

Department: Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant

F/T - The high volume Mount Vernon Inn, serving the visitors to the Mount Vernon Estate and all of the Washington Metropolitan area, is seeking to fill server vacancies. No prior experience is necessary for lunch shift employment. Free meals, uniforms, parking, flexible scheduling and a pension plan are provided. Major medical coverage is available. Weekend availability is a plus.  Call 703.780.0011 or email: eswanson@mountvernon.org    

Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Title: Groundskeeper  (predominantly lawn and turf management and gardening)

Department: Horticulture

This Full-time position requires a minimum of five years experience. The Groundskeeper performs routine grounds maintenance to Estate grounds, gardens, roads, woods, walks, paths, and property lines. Candidates must be able to perform routine lawn maintenance according to turf management program, perform tree and shrub planting, and assist gardeners with weeding, harvesting, and seed collection. Operation of farm and turf equipment is also required. This position is classified as essential and must participate in all emergencies, ice and snow removal, and special events. Occasional work on weekends and holidays is required.

Please send a cover letter and resume with salary history to Mount Vernon’s Human Resources Department by email to hrmail@mountvernon.org, by fax to 703.780.8320 or by US Mail to POB 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.

Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Title: Security staff

Department: Security

Part-time unarmed position(s) and parking attendant(s) (40 hr/wk possible)
Responsibilities include responding to alarms and emergencies, assuring the safety and security of visitors and staff, crowd management and customer service skills.  Previous security experience a plus. Employment will be contingent upon successful drug test and background investigation.  Candidates must have clean police record.

Please send a cover letter and resume with salary history to Mount Vernon’s Human Resources Department by email to hrmail@mountvernon.org, by fax to 703.780.8320 or by US Mail to POB 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Title: Flower Gardener

Department: Horticulture

The flower gardener will be responsible for all aspects of garden maintenance in Mount Vernon’s Flower Garden. Responsible for garden maintenance through the proper planting, pruning, fertilizing, seed collecting and pest control, of Mount Vernon’s exhibition gardens. Performs routine maintenance including raking, weeding and cultivating. Will work outside in all types of weather and requires use of hand and small gas powered equipment. May  work both independently and with other members of the Horticulture team as needed to maintain the high standards of Mount Vernon’s Gardens and Grounds. Participation in all emergencies, including ice and snow removal, is required. Some holiday and weekend work.

Degree in Horticulture or related field or Master Gardener certificate plus 2-4 years of hands on experience with pruning of trees and shrubs. Knowledge and experience with propagation, planting, pruning, fertilization and IPM. Must have a Virginia Registered Technician pesticide license or obtain one within 6 months of hire.

Please send a cover letter and resume with salary history to Mount Vernon’s Human Resources Department by email to hrmail@mountvernon.org, by fax to 703.780.8320 or by US Mail to POB 110, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.Mount Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.