Brian Beckley
Williamsburg,VA
Summary
Dynamic Site Coordinator and Historic Interpreter at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation with a proven track record in staff supervision and exceptional customer service. Skilled in training and mentorship, I successfully managed a diverse team while enhancing public engagement through historical programming. Adept at event logistics and maintaining site safety, I thrive in outdoor environments, ensuring memorable, engaging and safe visitor experiences.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Site Coordinator
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
02.2024 - 10.2025
- Responsible for both the physical Recreated James Fort Site at Jamestown Settlement and the staff and volunteers working the Site.
- Coordinated with both Grounds/Facilities and Exhibits Maintenance Departments to ensure maintenance and upkeep of the Site.
- Scheduled staff and volunteers on a day to day basis to ensure thorough Site coverage, and managed Site materials and resources to ensure maximum efficiency.
- Directly supervised a team of 15 paid staff (four full time and eleven part time). Supervisory duties included training and mentoring, performance observations, providing professional development and counseling, and year end evaluations.
- Directly supervised several dozen adult and youth volunteers; from core volunteers who donated their time weekly, to special event volunteers who donated time once or twice per year.
- Assisted in planning and coordinating museum wide special events.
- Manned frontline positions on site, providing customer service through public programming. This involved working outdoors in all seasons and weather, in historic clothing, while interacting with the public.
- Managed historic trade programs for the Site including the Fort Agriculture program, keeping the fields and gardens maintained and historically/seasonally appropriate.
- Served as Site Safety Officer, ensuring staff and volunteers were trained in, understood and adhered to safety procedures and policies.
- Regularly served as Museum Duty Officer, responsible for decision making regarding museum wide operations (managing inclement weather, medical emergencies, customer service issues and service recovery, etc).
Assistant Site Supervisor
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
09.2013 - 02.2024
- Assisted in direct supervision of varying numbers of both full time and part time staff (at times in excess of twenty total) for the Recreated James Fort Site at Jamestown Settlement. Responsibilities included training and mentoring, regular performance observations, and managing day to day operations on site.
- Assisted with monthly scheduling and payroll.
- Scheduled staff and volunteers on a day to day basis to ensure thorough site coverage, and assisted in managing materials and resources to maximize efficiency.
- Assisted in direct supervision of several dozen adult and youth volunteers, from core to special event volunteers.
- Managed and coordinated The Fort Site's roles in museum wide special events.
- Manned frontline positions providing customer service and public programming. This involved working outdoors in all seasons and weather, in historic clothes, interacting directly with the public.
- Served as Site Safety officer, ensuring staff and volunteers were trained in, understood and adhered to safety procedures and policies.
- Occasionally served as Museum Duty Officer, responsible for decision making regarding museum wide operations (managing inclement weather, medical emergencies, customer service issues and service recovery, etc).
Historical Interpreter
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
02.2007 - 09.2013
- Manned frontline positions in the Recreated Fort Site, Recreated Ships, and Recreated Paspahegh Town Site at Jamestown Settlement. This involved working outdoors in all seasons and weather, in historic clothes, interacting directly with the public.
- Worked special events and overtime as assigned.
- Trained and mentored part time staff and volunteers.
- Learned Trade skills and performed demonstrations including blacksmithing, woodworking and historic agriculture.
- Regularly served as Site Watch Officer, responsible for managing Site operations in the absence of supervisors. This included managing staff lunch rotations to ensure maximum Site coverage and serving as the Site's primary point of contact in the event of emergencies (medical, inclement weather, lost child etc).
Historical Interpreter (Part Time)
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
06.2002 - 02.2007
- Presented historical programming and demonstrations to the public, first as a seasonal wage employee, then as a core wage employee.
- Worked outdoors in all seasons and weather, in historic clothing, interacting directly with the public.
- Learned and demonstrated historical trades and chores, many of which were physically laborious. From hauling and splitting of fire wood, to hand tilling agricultural fields, to blacksmithing and woodworking.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Public History
Longwood University
Farmville, VASkills
- Exceptional Customer Service
- Staff supervision, scheduling, coordination
- Training and mentorship
- Working outdoors in inclement conditions
- Public speaking, presentation, demonstration
- Event logistics
Timeline
Site Coordinator
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
02.2024 - 10.2025
Assistant Site Supervisor
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
09.2013 - 02.2024
Historical Interpreter
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
02.2007 - 09.2013
Historical Interpreter (Part Time)
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
06.2002 - 02.2007
Bachelor of Arts - Public History
Longwood University