Körner’s Folly Foundation
Position Title: Preservation Specialist
The Körner’s Folly Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is seeking a practical, detail-driven team member to help carry out our mission to foster an appreciation for history, the arts, and enterprise through the preservation and interpretation of Körner’s Folly.
The Preservation Specialist is responsible for leading the day-to-day stewardship of Körner’s Folly’s historic buildings, collections, and preservation systems. This position leads routine monitoring, documentation, preventive care, and follow-through on facilities and collections needs; coordinates qualified contractors and specialists; and helps ensure that preservation concerns are identified early and addressed according to appropriate standards and practices.
Because preservation is inseparable from daily museum operations, the Preservation Specialist also works regular public-facing shifts in the historic house and/or Visitors Center. This position helps open and close the site, supports visitors and coworkers, and observes how the buildings and collections perform under real operating conditions. This role reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Operations Coordinator, Community Engagement Manager, Visitor Services staff, volunteers, contractors, and professional preservation consultants.
Primary Responsibilities
- Historic Preservation & Facilities Stewardship: Serve as the staff point person for routine preservation and facilities needs across the campus infrastructure; conduct and document regular building and grounds inspections; maintain prioritized maintenance, repair, and preservation logs and follow issues through resolution; coordinate approved contractors, service providers, and other vendors including scheduling, site access, documentation, and follow up; carry out or coordinate appropriate routine preventative maintenance and minor repairs within the position’s training and authority; monitor and help maintain security, fire/life-safety, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, lighting, pest-management, and environmental control systems as they affect the site and collections; help develop and implement emergency preparedness, disaster response, housekeeping, and collections care; support preservation and capital projects through condition documentation, research, progress tracking, and organized retention of plans, warranties, reports, and service records; ensure that work affecting the historic fabric follows approved plans, institutional policies, and recognized preservation practices.
- Collections & Archival Stewardship: Process, inventory, catalog, and maintain physical and digital collection and archival materials; monitor storage and display conditions and implement preventive collections care; identify collections risks and conservation needs and assist the Executive Director and outside specialists with care planning and treatment coordination; create archival housings and exhibit supports using appropriate materials; assist with object movement, exhibit preparation, installation, and de-installation; support the development and consistent application of collections-management policies and procedures, including access, loans, acquisitions, deaccessioning, and emergency response; train and supervise assigned volunteers, interns, or staff in safe object handling and approved collections-care tasks.
- Visitor Services & Museum Operation: Work regular Visitor Services shifts and act as the responsible on-site staff member when assigned, including opening and closing the Visitors Center and historic house museum; welcome visitors and introduce the history of Körner’s Folly, the Körner family, Kernersville, and the American Victorian period in an accurate and engaging manner; follow procedures for admissions, online, and in-person ticketing, gift shop sales, cash handling, daily reconciliation, and site security; assist with educational programs, tours, facility rentals, and special events; conduct historical and collections research and contribute to interpretive materials, exhibits, tours, and programs as assigned in collaboration with the Community Engagement Manager.
Desired Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience in historic preservation, museum studies, public history, history, collections management, archives, conservation, facilities stewardship, or a related field.
- Working knowledge of preventive conservation, collections care, historic-building maintenance, or preservation practice; direct experience in a museum or historic site setting strongly preferred.
- Ability to recognize building and collections risks, document conditions clearly, establish priorities, and carry projects through to completion.
- Experience coordinating vendors, contractors, volunteers, or multi-step projects while maintaining accurate records and deadlines.
- Strong organizational, research, problem-solving, written communication, and interpersonal skills, with excellent attention to detail.
- Comfort with Microsoft office and digital file management; familiarity with collections databases, metadata standards, environmental monitoring, or digitization workflows is a plus.
- Sound judgment and discretion when working around historic materials, sensitive records, visitors, staff, and active project sites.
- Commitment to collaborative work, public service, and the mission of the Körner’s Folly Foundation.
- Formal education and experience may vary but should be sufficient to provide the knowledge, judgment, technical aptitude, and organizational skills required for the scope of work.
Work Conditions & Requirements
- Work is performed in offices, collections, and storage areas, a modern Visitors Center, outdoors, and throughout a multilevel historic house with narrow passages, uneven surfaces, and numerous stairs and steps.
- The position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and stair climbing; careful handling of objects and equipment, and the ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds with or without a reasonable accommodation.
- Some work may occur in dusty, warm, cold, or confined areas and near active maintenance or preservation projects. Appropriate safety procedures and personal protective equipment must be used.
- Regular weekend work and occasional evening work are required based on the museum, program, and project calendar.
- Reliable transportation, a satisfactory criminal background check, and valid, up-to-date government identification are required.
This is a part-time position that reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Community Engagement Manager, Operations Coordinator, and Visitor Services Associates. The Körner’s Folly Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
Compensation:
Part-Time position: 25-30 hours per week
$18.00 per hour
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, and at least two professional references via email to Suzanna Ritz Malliett, Körner’s Folly Foundation Executive Director, at director@kornersfolly.org by October 9, 2026.