Heritage/Community Development Positions

Open Positions

Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area - Elkins, Randolph County, WV
Three full time, one year positions available

Join the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area team in their mission to conserve, interpret, and support cultural, community, and natural assets across our region. Help us tell the stories of the Appalachian Forest Highlands and communicate the significance of these vital places in our forest region. We have three positions serving out of our offices in Elkins, WV for the 25-26 program year.

Museum Associate
Jeffrey Pryor - Supervisor

Support the development of an annual exhibit and ongoing programming surrounding America’s 250th in the Appalachian Forest. Build content, plan events, work with visitors to the region, tell stories, conduct presentations to young and old. All of this is available supporting the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center!

Skills/Experience Sought:

• Museum studies or design

• Interpretation, writing, editing

• Graphic Design

• Outgoing public speaker

• Educator

Discovery Programs Associate
Jeffrey Pryor - Supervisor

Support the Discovery Programs from AFNHA.

• Discover AFNHA - Direct marketing and outreach to AFNHA sites and events across our region. Content creation for digital marketing, some travel, and exploration of our region.

• Appalachian Forest Discovery Sites - Support the growth and management of our region’s most significant sites that align with the AFNHA themes of Forests & Forestry, Lumber, and Appalachian Highland Culture. Build relationships across our region!

Skills/Experience Sought:

• Digital media management

• Content creator

• Outgoing and professional

• Public speaking

AFNHA Communications Associate
Carlie Dickens - Supervisor

Work with our Communications Manager to market and provide outreach for AFNHA and our programs/services generally. Explore our region and get the word out!

Skills/Experience Sought

• Digital media management

• Event presentations and public speaking

• Writing and editing

• Graphic design

All positions will also actively engage in volunteer recruitment and management for the organization and their respective programs, as well as take turn as Docent on duty at the AF Discovery Center throughout the year providing visitor services and education. Some weekends will be required for museum and even support. Travel may be extensive for some positions, reimbursement for expenses will be available.

Arthurdale Heritage - Arthurdale, Preston County, WV
AmeriCorps Heritage Coordinator - Full Time, One Year Position
Kenneth Kidd - Supervisor
Subsidized Housing Available on-site starting January 1, 2026

Do you love history and sharing it with others? Arthurdale Heritage may be the place for you! Arthurdale was the nation’s first New Deal community, established in 1934 through President Roosevelt’s groundbreaking depression-era plan. A passion project of Eleanor Roosevelt, the community is still strong 90 years later. Today, Arthurdale Heritage is a historic site and museum whose mission is to build a resilient community inspired by the history, legacy, and folk arts of the first New Deal Community and its people. Located just 30 minutes from Morgantown, we have thousands of year-round visitors who tour the museum, attend programs and classes, or participate in our large community events.

Our AmeriCorps Heritage Coordinator will interact with the public daily, giving guided tours of the site, organizing educational programming, and planning community events. Behind the scenes activities will be expected as well, including social media promotion, archival and exhibition planning, volunteer management, and more. We are looking for someone who is passionate about history, culture, and folk arts, has strong communication and collaborative skills, and wants to help build a resilient community in rural West Virginia.

Skills Sought:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, History, Appalachian Studies, or other relevant fields

• Strong writing and speaking skills, including serving as an articulate spokesperson

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, community members, donors and visitors

• Ability to work effectively as a part of a team and have a positive attitude and strong work ethic

• Working knowledge of programs such as WordPress, Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and social media applications

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Demonstrated critical thinking skills including analysis, problem solving, decision-making, and conceptualizing

Augusta Heritage Center - Elkins, Randolph County, WV
Collection Preservation Coordinator - 2 Full Time, One Year Positions
Seth Young - Supervisor

Looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the heart of Appalachia while gaining valuable experience in archival preservation? Look no further than Americorps at the Augusta Heritage Center!

As the Archival Preservation Coordinator, you will play a critical role in preserving the rich cultural history collected by the Augusta Heritage Center over the past 50 years. Your responsibilities will include organizing, preserving, and digitizing a variety of historical artifacts, including photographs, manuscripts, audio recordings, and more. In addition to preserving history, you will have the opportunity to work closely with the Augusta team to create educational programming and exhibits that showcase the unique cultural heritage of the area. Through these projects, you will develop leadership and project management skills, as well as a deeper understanding of the value of cultural preservation.

At Augusta Heritage Center, we believe that everyone deserves access to their cultural history and practices. Join us as an Americorps member and help us make that vision a reality while gaining valuable skills and experiences along the way! As the Augusta Heritage Center Augusta Collection Preservation Coordinator, an individual will have the opportunity to learn and develop a range of specialized skills necessary for managing and preserving historical collections. While organization, attention to detail, and research skills are important foundational skills for this role, here are some additional skills that the individual will learn on the job:

Skills developed:

The Augusta Heritage Center Augusta Collection Preservation Coordinator will have the opportunity to develop a unique and specialized skill set, combining foundational skills with on-the-job training and experience. Through this role, the individual will become proficient in managing and preserving historical collections while also developing a deep appreciation for the culture of the region.

Collection Management: On-the-job training will provide the preservation coordinator with an in-depth understanding of collection management practices, including organization, cataloging, and maintenance of the Augusta Heritage Center's historical collections.
Archival Principles: The individual will learn about archival principles and practices, including the handling, storage, and preservation of physical and digital materials.
Technical Tools and Software: The preservation coordinator will become proficient in using a range of technical tools and software to manage and preserve digital collections.
Communication and Collaboration: Working closely with other members of the Augusta Heritage Center, the individual will develop strong communication and collaboration skills, learning to effectively convey information about the collection and collaborate with others.
Folk Art Knowledge: Through working with the collection, the preservation coordinator will develop an understanding of the historical context and cultural significance of the materials.
Problem-Solving: The individual will gain experience in anticipating and solving problems related to the preservation of the collection.

Barbour County Historical Museum - Philippi, Barbour County, WV
Museum Associate - Full Time, One Year Position
Karen Larry - Supervisor

Both Philippi Convention & Visitors Bureau and Barbour County Historical Museum are focused on bringing visitors to Philippi, site of first land battle of the Civil War, site of only dual barreled covered bridge still used as part of a federal highway system, and an area rich in Civil War history. The first goal of Philiippi CVB is to keep Historical Museum open year round. The AC member helps achieve this goal because while the Museum does have volunteers to open the Museum, these people have limited time; having an AmeriCorps member available at the Museum throughout the week with regular hours allows the Museum to stay open. At the Museum, in addition to participating in any Museum activates, the member will greet and introduce guests to the Museum while also generating visitors via regular posts to the Museum's Facebook , Instagram pages, web site, answer social media and web inquiries, and design and post reels about the Museum and events. Working with the Philippi CVB, the AC member will design and post regular Facebook, Instagram posts that will attract visitors to Philippi and events, respond to electronic inquiries, and keep the web page current. The member will continue the previous AC work of designing and posting reels about history, culture. The member will also work with the local schools , organizations to establish visits to classrooms, meetings that will build interest in visiting the Museum and will make presentations to local organizations about the Museum and Philippi's cultural offerings.

Skills Sought:

• Strong interpersonal skills to greet visitors and conduct tours for Museum visitors.

• Strong writing and speaking skills.

• Strong computer skills including the use of the CANVA program for social media posts.

• Knowledge of building and enhancing online presence in social media formats.

• Knowledge and skills in producing and posting brief videos.

• Ability to work on one's own with minimal oversight.

• Strong problem-solving skills.

• Strong research skills necessary for building posts and collections.

Beverly Heritage Center - Beverly, Randolph County, WV
Three Full Time, One Year Positions
Eleanor Renshaw - Supervisor

Beverly Heritage Center is a museum and visitor facility located in the small town of Beverly, the original county seat of Randolph County. The facility combines four historic buildings, and interprets regional, local, and Civil War heritage. Operating partner Historic Beverly Preservation works to preserve the history of Beverly, including heritage tourism development and adaptive reuse of historic buildings. HBP supports Beverly ON TRAC to help with community development, and assists Beverly Historic Landmarks Commission to support historic preservation in the community. Operating partner Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation manages the nearby Civil War battlefield site and interprets regional Civil War history. Beverly Heritage Center, and the small rural community it serves, need assistance with developing public education, interpretation, and awareness of community heritage, and community development through heritage tourism and historic preservation. Member direct service will result in increased awareness of community heritage, improved visitor experience, and increased tourism contributing to community development.

Preservation Member focusing on historic preservation and collections at the Heritage Center.

Museum Development Member supporting updates and additions to the museum, along with related heritage tourism development and promotion.

Rich Mountain Battlefield Member to support the activities at the Rich Mountain Battlefield, a historic Civil War Battlefield telling the story of the first days of the Civil War.

All positions may assist with visitor services, interpretation development, outreach and communications, and special events. Members will assist with volunteer management, capacity building, and will participate as active members of the organization

Elkins Depot Welcome Center Convention and Visitor Bureau - Elkins, Randolph County, WV
Heritage Tourism Liaison - Full Time, One Year Position
Anne Beardslee - Supervisor

The Elkins Depot Welcome Center Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) promotes heritage tourism by educating visitors and community members in regard to cultural heritage and community events through use of heritage tourism, offering hospitality and promoting local businesses and attractions. Opened in 2006 and located in the restored historic Western Maryland Railway Depot, the Welcome Center serves over 45,000 visitors to the Elkins area each year by providing local and regional information. Position will improve heritage interpretation and tourism, build a stronger organization through recruitment and coordination of volunteers and enhance community development through tourism activities. Through social media, events and web presence the goal is to increase the number of people that learn about and visit the Welcome Center and Randolph County throughout the year and enhance the service visitors receive. Member will become an integral part of the Center, will make suggestions for changes and participate in all major Center activities and day-to-day operation of the facility.

Skills Sought:

The AmeriCorps member should have strong written and oral communication skills, extensive social media knowledge and enjoy working with the public. Self-motivation and the ability to work independently on projects and/or in conjunction with other staff members, are positive attributes for the position. The AmeriCorps must be able to easily transition from one task to another as the day progresses and needs for the site change. Must be eager and willing to learn new skills and to supervise volunteers. Willingness to work a variety of days and hours, including weekends, is important to the position.

Greenbrier County Historical Society - Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, WV
Museum Technician - Full Time, One Year Position
Dara Vance - Supervisor

The Greenbrier Historical Society, located at the North House Museum in Lewisburg, West Virginia is seeking a Museum Technician to assist with an on-going public history project: Hidden History - The History of West Greenbrier and Meadow River Valleys. This project has multiple facets including conducting digital video oral history interviews, transcribing the interviews to create a database available for future academic research, editing the interviews for public exhibition, researching, collecting, and cataloging items, ephemera, equipment, and photographs for permanent and temporary exhibits, creating Finding Aids for collections, assisting in the creation of public exhibits of interviews and collected items, identifying items for acquisition or loan, ensuring all archival and collection items are properly described and cataloged in accordance with current archival practices.

This is an opportunity to use your critical thinking skills, analytical skills, curiosity, and creativity to help preserve the cultural resources and daily lived experiences of the Western Greenbrier and Meadow River Valleys.

Skills Sought:

The ideal candidate will have experience in conducting research, analyzing information and data, differentiating between sources for accuracy, and writing for a general audience. This experience can be from any field and does not need to pertain directly to history or museum studies. Candidates with experience in digital media, social media, marketing, editing, graphic design, and writing are strongly encouraged to apply. Critical thinking, the ability to ask why and dig below the surface is required.

Hardy County Convention and Visitor Bureau - Moorefield, Hardy County, WV
Civil War History Project - Full Time One Year Position
Michele Moure-Reeves - Supervisor

Are you passionate about uncovering overlooked stories from the past and bringing history to life in new, meaningful ways? As the Civil War History Project Coordinator, you’ll have the rare opportunity to reshape how one of the most defining periods in American history is remembered across the mountains of West Virginia. You’ll be rediscovering forgotten voices, connecting with local experts and communities, and helping tell a fuller, richer story of the Civil War that goes beyond the battlefield. From small towns to sweeping landscapes, you’ll trace the hidden impact of the war in places few people have explored, and bring those stories to light through compelling local, public history. This role is perfect for someone who loves diving into research, writing with purpose, and coordinating big-picture projects. You’ll work with historians, tourism boards, marketing, and creatives to develop updated and possibly new trail markers, educational materials, and a digital app experience that invites visitors to engage with the past in dynamic ways. You’ll also help shape how future generations understand West Virginia’s role in the war beyond the battlefield. If you’re ready to combine your research skills with boots-on-the-ground collaboration and storytelling, this is your chance to gain professional skills in heritage tourism, community engagement, and cross-agency collaboration while making a lasting impact by helping to tell a richer, more inclusive Civil War story in rural West Virginia.

Skills Sought:

● Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Google Drive, data collection, website content development
● Strong writing and research skills, with attention to historical accuracy, resource documentation and inclusive storytelling.
● Proven interpersonal and communication skills for coordinating across organizations and engaging the public.
● Experience in genealogical, archive, and library research and interpretation is required.
● Background in public history, knowledge of ArcGIS Storymaps, and development of community heritage assets would be beneficial.

Randolph County Historical Society - Beverly, Randolph County, WV
Bosworth Museum Associate - Full time, One year position
Phyllis Baxter - Supervisor

Do you love museums? Sharing people’s stories? Digging deep into local history? The Museum Associate position with Randolph County Museum provides an outstanding opportunity to learn and experience all aspects of a small museum. Service in this position will include managing collections, caring for an historic building, upgrading and creating new exhibits, sharing programs, welcoming visitors, and supporting a dedicated all-volunteer organization. During this final year commemorating the Randolph County Historical Society Centennial, and the celebration of 250 years of America, help plan and carry out special projects and programs to preserve and share our history.

A successful member for this position will have background in history, public history, or museum studies, with collection management (Past Perfect) and interpretation skills a plus. Member will need to be self-directed and take responsibility within supervision guidelines. This position will mean working alone in the museum much of the off-season, with occasional support from board volunteers, while also being outgoing to engage with visitors and partners. Join us to share the richness of Randolph County, and help our small museum grow!

Skills Sought:

● Background in history, public history, or museum studies, or similar (degree with at least some intern experience preferred)
● Collection management (Past Perfect), interpretation, design, social media skills a plus.
● Member will need to be self-directed and take responsibility within supervision guidelines. Will be working alone in museum much of the time.
● Will need to exercise initiative to carry out assigned projects, and to reach out to supervisor when help is needed.
● Member needs to be outgoing enough to engage with visitors, and to work together with community partners.

Tucker Community Foundation - Parsons, Tucker County, WV
Foundation Associate - Full time, One year position
David Cooper, Supervisor

The Tucker Community Foundation was established in 1989 to provide scholarships and grants to local students and charitable organizations respectively. Throughout the last 35 years, the Foundation has grown to service 10 counties and expanded its philanthropic reach to various fundraising and philanthropic initiatives. We pride ourselves in being a vital resource for the movers and shakers in the Potomac Highlands region. Join our team and help us continue to embody rural philanthropy every day!

The Tucker Community Foundation is seeking an AmeriCorps member to help expand our network across the counties we currently serve by organizing outreach and networking events in all 10 counties. Other duties will include coordinating long-time events alongside the development director and other key staff and board members. Expand social and digital marketing outreach and distribution of the Tucker Community Foundation and Run For It. We would like for this member to help with capacity building for the Foundation-- helping to create a wider network of impacting our communities. This member will be an essential part of the team on all levels.

Skills Sought:

• Effective written and verbal communication

• Self-starter and enthusiastic about spreading the Foundation's mission

• Microsoft, Canva, Adobe proficiency

• Social media and photography skills are a plus

Upshur County Historical Society - Buckhannon, Upshur County, WV
WV Collections and Research Assistant - Full time, One year position
Noel W. Tenney, Supervisor

The Upshur County Historical Society was organized in 1926 and has been very active since 1983 perpetuating local and county history. They have three facilities, the History Center Museum, Document Repository, and the historic French Creek Presbyterian Church Building and fulfill their mission through preserving, publishing, programming, and providing a county research center and museum. They care for an artifact collection of approximately fifty thousand [some catalogued and others waiting to be processed] documents, photographs, and three-dimensional artifacts, which are used continuously for research, exhibits, publications, and information sourcing for various projects, along with members and the general public research needs.

The major projects will be to work with established digital/electronic systems for collections management cataloging and processing artifacts into PastPerfect. Member will work with UCHS research files and original sources to compile content for the Upshur County Digital Encyclopedia project, and will assist with gathering other data to be included on the digital Upshur County Historic bibliography project. Member will be responsible for targeted posting of data and resources from the society’s projects onto social media avenues (UCHS Website, Facebook and others), public outreach, journal research and writing, assisting with exhibit research and development, and assisting researchers who wish to access the archive. The AmeriCorps member for this position will need outstanding computer skills (preferably PastPerfect, social media, and data processing skills), outstanding writing skills, a general history knowledge background, and good “people” skills for working with volunteers.

Skills Sought:

The AmeriCorps member working with the UCHS will receive any specialized training needed for all projects. We will expect the member to come prepared with strong research and writing skills, computer skills from medium to advanced [preferably with PastPerfect experience and social network knowledge] and be able to work on their own after they are comfortable with all project systems. Members must be able to get along with a wide variety of individuals: the public, the internal staff, and volunteers. There needs to be a sense of flexibility, commitment, and dedication on the part of the member during day to day activities as well as when certain deadlines or goals must be met.

Woodchopping and Timber Heritage Museum - Webster Springs, Webster County, WV
Museum Coordinator - Full time, One year position
Alex Fliegel, Supervisor

The Webster County Convention and Visitors Bureau is the home of the Woodchopping and Timber Heritage Museum. This museum and visitors center was an old Go-Mart and in 2024 was renovated into a hub of history and tourist information. A place for people to gather information, learn about local attractions, find out more about our woodchopping legacy and just have a place to rest. Our Mission is to represent Webster County in the best light and get to share it with everyone we can.

Skills Sought:

Museum Coordinator position would help with two projects. One is currently underway but will take over a year for completion. This is the Outdoor Welcome Area at the museum and visitors center: which includes a custom built play structure, seating area, landscape management. The second project will be to work on getting museum display signage for the current photos and displays already being exhibited.