Journeyman Mason

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is "that the future may learn from the past" through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.


Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today's evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

The Journeyman Mason provides support to all Foundation operations for high level masonry skills in the alteration, construction, and/or repair of 18th century and modern buildings and reconstructed buildings, support buildings and building and landscape components; such as steps, brick walks, walls, chimney's, fireplaces, plaster, ceramic tile, etc.

Main Duties:

• Provides high level masonry skills using 18th century techniques and hand tools to repair, alter, or construct buildings, walls, walks, chimneys and steps.
• Ensures proper use of power tools where permitted.
• Completes tasks related to work layout, site preparation, selective removal of existing material, flashing, stairs, walls, chimneys, walks, preservation of original and reproduction work; integrate installation of plumbing, wiring, heating, and air conditioning.
• Ensures safe operation of grinders, saw, chisels, scaffolding, and vibrating compactors acquired by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for use in the masonry trade operation.
• Supports Facilities Maintenance, Museums, and various other departments throughout the Foundation.• Uses non-electric hand tools when necessary to perform work to meet Colonial Williamsburg's quality and historical standards.
• Provides maintenance of all shop machinery and masonry storage areas (as assigned by the foreman), general housekeeping, and other related tasks.
• Identifies and acts on safety hazards within the shop and other areas throughout the Foundation.
• Interacts with customers to ensure satisfaction with costs, timeliness and quality of the job.• Provides on-the-job training, education, and teaching to trainees or interns assigned and assumes a mentor role when requested.
• This position requires availability to be on call/callback and to work nights, weekends or shift work as required by Foreman. On call duties require responding to after hours, weekend, and holiday work needs.

This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as directed and approved by the supervisor.

Required Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Must have 5 years of masonry experience or related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masonry experience specific to restoration repairs at museums, historic sites, colleges and/or universities, with the National Park Service, or a similar organization engaged in building preservation and/or maintenance.
• Associates of Applied Science degree in masonry or building preservation from an accredited technical or trade school.

Key Skills / Competencies:

• Must be detail orientated, able to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, written communication, and customer service skills.
• Must work well in a team environment and be able to interact with employees, customers, and guests.
• Must be proficient in the use of hand and power tools used in the masonry trade.
• In-depth knowledge of masonry skills and abilities in working with block, brick and stone.
• Ability to read architectural drawings, shop drawings and specifications and explain content to others.
• Knowledge of OSHA and trade related safety regulations and practices.• Must be able to pass a post-offer PFT to ensure ability to wear a respirator on the job.
• Must be 21 years of age and possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license. Driving record shall be clear of infractions.
• Within three months after hire-in date individual must possess and keep current certifications in Renovation, Repair and Painting (Lead Safety), Asbestos Class 3 Training, and Supported Scaffold Competent Person.
• This position has been designated Essential and has been determined to be critical to the support of the company. Must be able to work additional hours in and around set schedule as needed during inclement weather conditions, emergencies and/or liberal leave situations.
• Must be available for routine work scheduled on weekends, nights, holidays, and respond positively at emergency recall to work

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Must be able to wear N100 respirators as required on the job.
• Must be physically qualified to lift and carry 75 pounds.
• Must be physically qualified to perform tasks that require lifting, bending, stooping, and kneeling.
• Must be physically able to work at heights above 30 feet.

Typical Work Schedule: 7:00 AM - 3:30PM, schedule may be shifted to 6:00 AM-2:30 PM for weather conditions

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.