
Jobs at the Village
Jobs at Old Sturbridge Village are diverse and exciting ways to connect with history. Current job openings will be posted below when available.
Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff and OSV community members. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.
Unless otherwise noted in the job posting, please send cover letter and resume to:
Human Resources Department
Old Sturbridge Village
1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd.
Sturbridge, MA 01566
or send via email
Old Sturbridge Village does not provide housing and is not able to assist candidates with interview or relocation costs.
Current Job Openings | Full Time
Interpreter - Horticulture - Vegetable Gardens
Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) is seeking a full-time interpreter to join our horticulture team, starting in spring 2023. As a living history site dedicated to 19th century rural New England, gardens and their produce provide an invaluable tool to engage and educate our guests. This position will manage the daily operation of the program, plants, and exhibits related to vegetable gardening at the museum. This role will contribute Old Sturbridge Village’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Reporting to the Coordinator of Horticulture, this position will serve as a frontline costumed educator and manager, mentoring staff, volunteers, interns, and fellows regarding the horticulture programs.
Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village. Old Sturbridge Village, a museum and learning resource of New England life, invites each visitor to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration through the exploration of history.
Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff and OSV community members. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.
Education and/or Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- One to two years horticultural related experience
- One year experience working with the public in a museum, educational institution or public garden
- Ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
- Provide support to Coordinator for the day-to-day operation of the vegetable gardens. Duties include a wide variety of gardening tasks such as planting, managing pests, watering gardens, removing weeds, harvesting, and maintaining the root cellar to preserve our living collection of plants. This position will also manage and assist with garden planning, seed saving, and other horticultural tasks in the museums gardens throughout the year.
- Mentor staff, volunteers, interns, and fellows by providing content training, hand-skills development, and guidance on costume historical appropriateness. Individual will also provide input to staff reviews.
- Be cross-trained to provide historical interpretation in one to two exhibits outside of horticulture based on need, skill, and interest. Work assignments vary upon season.
- Develop engaging interpretive/educational programs to suit a wide variety of visitors.
- Communicate garden needs to other gardens staff, volunteers, and interns.
- Act as a main point of contact for questions and issues pertaining to the vegetable gardens.
- In collaboration with the Educational Department, plan and deliver educational programing for Old Sturbridge Academy, Discovery Adventures, Home School and Scout groups.
- Build connections between the vegetable gardens and their respective households. Work closely with household staff to support this relationship, the use of plant material in household demonstrations, and interpretation of each space.
- Coordinate with household staff to maintain the root cellar and preserve harvest.
- Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
- Maintain safety, good order, and cleanliness of all workspace spaces, share responsibility with all staff for the clean and neat appearance of the entire museum.
- Understand, identify and appropriately respond to the multiple learning styles of a diverse audience that includes students, families, and other life-long learners. Actively engage these audiences using a range of interpretation techniques including hands-on, participation, tours, immersion, demonstration, recreation, orientation, role-playing, performance, lecture and other techniques.
- Work towards mastery of the information and skills necessary to teach specific aspects of the museum to visitors.
- Work with colleagues (staff, volunteer, interns, and fellows) in the development, training, implementation and review of programs and experiences that meet the diverse needs of OSV audiences.
- Preserve the artifacts, reproductions, and buildings in the Village by caring for them properly.
- The full-time benefited position requires five days per week unrestricted availability with weekend & holiday work.
- Working evening programs such as Christmas by Candlelight, Phantoms by Firelight (Halloween) or other evening shifts as needed.
- Participate in special event programs and other special activities; work with Communications to promote all museum activities. Where appropriate, take a major role in special programs requiring specialized skills in teaching, facilitation, interpretation, or performance.
- Participate in various projects or tasks assigned by directors, and coordinators.
- Safeguard visitors and staff by being alert to foreseeable health and safety hazards.
- Understand and observe all Village policies.
Skills & Abilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Individuals in this position are subject to a Criminal Conviction Record check upon hire and every other year thereafter.
- Excellent face-to-face communication skills, with the ability to communicate ideas and information clearly both verbally and in written format.
- Ability to independently develop own work plan and priorities, using established procedures to assure timely completion of assigned work in conformance with departmental policies and practices; problems lacking clear precedent are reviewed with supervisor prior to taking action.
- Be honest, reliable, and demonstrate a passionate commitment to the interpretation/education field.
- Attention to detail, organization, quality of guest experience and customer service.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions and working in front of a fire in a kitchen.
- The employee may frequently be required to lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or team lift up to 75 pounds.
- Strive to build and maintain productive and respectful relationships with all team members and guests.
- Must be a team player and flexible to assist in other divisions when the need arises.
- Effective problem solver – anticipating, preventing and managing issues as they arise.
- Must be an effective listener and be able to understand and clarify concerns and issues.
- Must be able to work varied shifts and hours including weekends, nights, early mornings and holidays.
Old Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or membership in the uniformed services.
Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at jobs@osv.org
Historic Preservation Carpenter
Under the supervision of the Building Trades Manager, the Historic Preservation Carpenter will perform carpentry and related maintenance tasks on all historical as well as non-historical structures at Old Sturbridge Village. This role will contribute to Old Sturbridge Village’s commitment to Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village. Old Sturbridge Village, a museum and learning resource of New England life, invites each visitor to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration through the exploration of history.
Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff and OSV community members. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.
Qualifications:
- Associate’s degree or years technical/vocational school training
- 7 to 10 years of historical preservation carpentry experience.
- Ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups.
- Ability to read and understand blueprints.
- Valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain a hoisting license.
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
- OSHA safety training and/or familiarity is a plus
Essential Duties:
- Ensure the safety and cleanliness of the work area and share responsibility with all staff for the clean and neat appearance of the entire museum.
- Perform historical and non-historical carpentry and masonry work consisting of restoration, conservation and preservation projects including: roof shingling, sidewall installation, structural framing repairs, interior and exterior trim fabrication and installation, fenestration, masonry, plaster repairs, etc.
- Perform exhibition carpentry work on exhibit installations including: exhibit case fabrication and setting construction.
- Assist in projects requiring a broad understanding of masonry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical works, etc.
- Provide general hand tools and maintain OSV power tools.
- Assist in snow removal and ice control as needed.
- Perform other non-carpentry type tasks as required.
- Provide the best experience possible for all visitors.
- Other duties may be assigned.
Old Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or membership in the uniformed services.
Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at jobs@osv.org
Carpenter/Trades Person
Under supervision of the Building Trades Manager, perform general maintenance tasks inside and outside the Village. Work should include general maintenance tasks such as, but not limited to, office moves, minor carpentry, paint, snow and ice control, basic plumbing and electrical knowledge. This role will contribute to Old Sturbridge Village’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village. Old Sturbridge Village, a museum and learning resource of New England life, invites each visitor to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration through the exploration of history.
Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff and OSV community members. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups.
- Valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain a hoisting license.
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Essential Duties:
- Provide the best experience possible for all visitors.
- Ensure the safety and cleanliness of the work area and share responsibility with all staff for the clean and neat appearance of the entire museum.
- Perform general building trade duties such as demolition, light carpentry, painting, masonry repairs, storm window install/removals, etc.
- Involved in moving and transportation projects, including seasonal changes.
- Provide general hand tools and maintain OSV power tools.
- Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
- Responsible for snow plowing and assisting in snow removal and ice control.
Old Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or membership in the uniformed services.
Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at jobs@osv.org
Museum Custodian
Old Sturbridge Village is currently seeking a custodian to perform year-round cleaning duties for the Museum’s public restrooms, buildings, offices, exhibit spaces and other large-scale cleaning and maintenance tasks as assigned. The primary responsibilities will be cleaning and maintaining the historical locations in the village, common areas and office areas to ensure the overall cleanliness and sanitation of Old Sturbridge Village facilities, buildings, and grounds. This role will contribute to Old Sturbridge Village’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village. Old Sturbridge Village, a museum and learning resource of New England life, invites each visitor to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration through the exploration of history.
Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff and OSV community members. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.
Must be able to work 5 days a week, 5:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with weekend and holiday availability, required.
Responsibilities
- Ability to plan and prioritize work, be self-motivated, and perform multiple tasks within a timely manner.
- Daily dusting, vacuuming, mopping, trash removal and restocking of bathrooms.
- Special projects as assigned, but not limited to washing walls and glass, and steam cleaning of carpets.
- Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
- Care for certain collection items in museum exhibit spaces as directed.
- Knowledge of the use of tools, techniques, equipment, and procedures required in the cleaning of buildings.
- All other duties as assigned.
Skills
Knowledge and ability to properly use chemicals, general equipment and tools of the custodial trade.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent, required.
- Ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups
- Position may require employee to stand for long periods of time.
- Related custodial or maintenance experience, preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment
- Ability to read, write and communicate, routine information.
- Must be able to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl for long periods of time
- Must be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs occasionally
Old Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or membership in the uniformed services.
Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at jobs@osv.org
Grounds Technician/Equipment Operator
Under the supervision of the Grounds Manager operate heavy equipment and perform year-round maintenance of the lawns, shrubs and grounds. This role will contribute Old Sturbridge Village’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village. Old Sturbridge Village, a museum and learning resource of New England life, invites each visitor to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration through the exploration of history.
Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff and OSV community members. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.
Essential Duties:
- Provide the best experience possible for all visitors.
- Ensure the safety and cleanliness of the work area and share responsibility with all staff for the clean and neat appearance of the entire museum.
- Operate all heavy and light equipment inclusive of dump trucks, sanders and tractors.
- Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
- Perform a variety of specialized groundskeeping duties, including lawn and plant care, clean up, fertilizing, landscaping, sod installation, weeding, etc.
- Perform a variety of hardscaping tasks inclusive of stone, brick, earthen and asphalt installations/repairs.
- Execute tree felling on occasion.
- Perform duties such as paper picking, trash removal, etc.
- Assist contractors and in house craft persons in projects as needed.
- Provide care and service for all ground equipment inclusive of tractors, chain saws, etc.
- Responsible for assisting in snow removal and ice control as required.
- Other duties may be assigned.
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or general education degree (GED); one to three years equipment operation experience and groundskeeping experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Valid driver’s license and Hoisting License within 6 months of employment.
- Incumbent functions independently within broad scope of department policies and goals; daily activities are monitored and scheduled through Grounds Manager.
- Ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups.
- Generally refers specific problems to manager only where clarification of departmental policies and procedures may be required.
- Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- Regularly lift and/ or move up to 25 lbs. and frequently life and/or move up to 50 lbs.
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places.
Old Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or membership in the uniformed services.
Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at jobs@osv.org
Senior Development Officer, Grants and Foundation Relations
Old Sturbridge Village seeks a Senior Development Officer, Grants and Foundation Relations to support the organization’s fundraising priorities by writing grant applications and reports, cultivating relationships with funders, and identifying new grant opportunities. The Senior Development Officer will work closely with all departments to support programs and activities across Old Sturbridge Village, Coggeshall Farm Museum, and Old Sturbridge Academy. This role will contribute Old Sturbridge Village’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village. Old Sturbridge Village, a museum and learning resource of New England life, invites each visitor to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration through the exploration of history.
Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff and OSV community members. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.
Essential Duties:
- Identifying new grant opportunities and working with staff across departments to pair museum needs with relevant funding opportunities.
- With the help of the Development Officer, Grants and Donor Communications, cultivate and write all proposals, acknowledgements, and follow-up reports for grants.
- Maintaining the current grants calendar of upcoming deadlines, targets, and projected revenue.
- Cultivating relationships with new, potential, and existing grand funders, and working with museum staff and board members to steward those relationships.
- Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
- Scheduling and overseeing all site visits with foundation contacts
- Working closely with the Finance Department to prepare and report on grant budgets.
- Maintaining accurate and complete records of grant applications, awards, and related communications.
- Generating reports as required
This position is located in Sturbridge, MA with potential of a Hybrid schedule. Occasionally working evenings and weekends to attend stewardship and fundraising events are required.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- A proven track record of significant successful grant writing and research for a nonprofit organization. Experience with museums or arts & culture organizations is preferred but not required.
- Strong skills in Microsoft Office (especially Word and Excel)
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
- Ability to work proactively and independently under tight deadlines with minimal supervision
- Ability to collaborate and work within a team, including close coordination with colleagues to achieve desired outcomes within a set timeframe
- Ability to delegate to, mentor, and work collaboratively with the Development Officer, Grants and Donor Communications
- Ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups.
- Project management experience, including managing complex projects with multiple deadlines, several stakeholders and collaborators, and competing priorities
- Experience with a CRM donor database is helpful, but not required. (The Village uses Blackbaud’s Altru system)
Along with your resume and cover letter, please submit two recent grant samples and a sample of a research profile. In both cases, the original narrative is preferred. Redacted or altered versions to preserve the anonymity of the requesting organization are acceptable. Please include your salary requirements in your cover letter.
Old Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or membership in the uniformed services.
Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at jobs@osv.org.
Current Job Openings | Part-Time and/or Seasonal
21st Century Community Learning Center- Part-time Educator & Assistant Educator
Do you love working with children? Looking for a part-time job in an energy-filled, social work environment? Come join the education staff of Old Sturbridge Village – New England’s largest living history museum.
OSV is looking to add new and experienced educators for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers After School Program. This program is for students who attend Old Sturbridge Academy, a public charter school located on the Old Sturbridge Village campus. The 21st Century Community Learning Center at Old Sturbridge Village serves students in the Elementary grades Kindergarten-5th Grade.
The 21st Century Learning Centers Program (21st CCLC) is a Massachusetts Department of Education-funded afterschool enrichment program. The program runs Monday from 2:15-5:30 and Tuesday-Friday from 2:30-5:30pm. There is additional time built into the schedule for planning, preparation and meetings. This is a project-based learning program where educators work with a group of 10 or less students during the school year adapting and teaching a curriculum developed by Old Sturbridge Village.
The schedule for this position is: Monday 1:30 pm-5:30 pm and Tuesday-Thursday 2:30 pm-5:30 pm
Note: Applicants need to be available for all four afternoons.
Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village. Old Sturbridge Village, a museum and learning resource of New England life, invites each visitor to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration through the exploration of history.
Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff and OSV community members. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.
Qualifications:
- You enjoy working with children, especially in an educational environment
- You are interested in history and science, and sharing it in tangible ways
- You thrive working with people, and children specifically
- You are adaptable, and able to pivot quickly when needed
- Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Essential Duties:
- Working with 1-2 other educators to team-teach with groups ranging from 10-20 students
- Supporting a diverse range with students so they are successful with the program
- Prepping supplies & physical space
- Attending training and professional development sessions as required
- Assistant Educators assist in all aspects of the program.
Old Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or membership in the uniformed services.
Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at jobs@osv.org.
You may also be interested in…
Old Sturbridge Village has a long tradition of offering hands-on learning experiences through its College Internships and yearlong Fellowships. Both programs aim to provide candidates with practical knowledge and job experience in the Museum field throughout the many departments at Old Sturbridge Village.
Learn more about summer college internships here.
Learn more about yearlong fellowships here.