Careers

As a leader in heritage tourism, Historic Columbia provides house museum tours, walking tours and guided bus tours of Columbia's cultural and historical assets. Additionally, the organization hosts annual programs and events such as the Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture and Palladium Tour. As an advocate for the preservation of Columbia and Richland County's built history, Historic Columbia works closely with city and county officials to ensure proper protection is provided to structures with cultural and historical importance.

Our mission is to share the complex history of Columbia and Richland County through historic preservation advocacy, innovative educational programs, and strategic partnerships.

Historic Columbia is an equal opportunity employer committed to advancement opportunities for all individuals based on merit, qualifications and abilities. Historic Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

Current Openings

Landscape Technician | Full Time

Historic Columbia seeks a landscape technician who will be responsible for all aspects of turfgrass and pathway maintenance across six properties spanning 14 acres. This position also assists with garden projects and renovations.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Perform all aspects of turfgrass maintenance, including but not limited to mowing, edging, blowing, and weed eating, on lawn and grass areas.
  • Perform basic repairs and audits on irrigation systems.
  • Carry out all aspects of pathway maintenance, including but not limited to blowing, weed eating, and applying herbicide, on walkways and hardscapes.
  • Remove leaves, debris, and trash from grounds, pathways, sidewalks, and parking lots.
  • Assist with various landscape duties, such as pruning, mulching, watering, and applying herbicides and pesticides.
  • Operate heavy equipment and standard garden power tools, such as lawnmowers, edgers, blowers, tillers, and chainsaws.
  • Maintain inventory and audit equipment to ensure all tools are in good working condition.
  • Work with Historic Columbia staff, including the Director of Preservation, the Horticulture Manager, and the Rental Coordinator, to ensure that the use of the grounds for public programs, special events, and rentals complements the weekly maintenance and long-term care of the grounds.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Adheres to Historic Columbia Ethics and Human Resources policies.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • High school diploma and a minimum of 2 years of paid experience performing lawn, garden, or grounds maintenance tasks.
  • Ability to confidently perform irrigation maintenance and repair.
  • Knowledge of turfgrass and lawn care.
  • Comfortable operating heavy equipment and standard garden power tools.
  • Ability to perform strenuous outdoor activities while exposed to a variety of weather conditions, ranging from hot and humid to cold and wet.
  • Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
  • Preference will be given to those candidates with experience working in a public garden or historic site.

ORGANIZATIONAL BENEFITS AND PERKS

Historic Columbia offers a variety of growth and professional development opportunities, a welcoming environment, and family-friendly benefits for our team members.

  • Medical insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Retirement planning
  • Competitive compensation
  • Parental leave
  • Support for community involvement
  • Paid holidays   

JOB DETAILS: 

$40,000 annual salary | full-time | on-site in Columbia, SC

Historic Columbia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains compliance with all federal, state, and local laws. 

Please send a cover letter and resume with three references, at least one of which should be a past supervisor, to jobs@historiccolumbia.org. The title of the email should be the position for which you are applying. The position will remain open until filled.

Collections Assistant | Part Time

Historic Columbia (HC) is looking for a well-organized, detail-oriented person to serve as the Collections Assistant. The person in this position will work under the supervision of Historic Columbia’s Collections Manager to assist with implementing strategic goals and day-to-day artifact care. The person in this position will also receive hands-on training in record keeping, object handling and care, and best museum practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Support the care of HC’s collection of more than 4,000 historic artifacts (e.g., textile folding, silver polishing, pest management).
  • Conduct regular cleaning of exhibit spaces within HC’s five house museums.
  • Support Abandoned Cultural Property efforts by performing tasks, including but not limited to photographing and documenting objects found in collections, labeling artifacts, and uploading data to HC’s collections management system.
  • Assist with collections rehousing and relocation, as needed.
  • Perform research on objects identified by the Collections Manager and Curator of History for acquisitions and deaccessions.
  • Collaborate with the Collections Manager on annual inventories.
  • Assist the Collections Manager and Curator of History with installation and de-installation of exhibits.
  • Conduct specialized collections projects.
  • Update, digitize, and transcribe records according to American Association of Museum standards, including but not limited to provenance, object history, donor or lender information, and condition.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Adheres to Historic Columbia Ethics and Human Resources policies.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Enrollment in or completion of an undergraduate program in history, art history, anthropology, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated ability to be thorough, accurate, and consistent in completing assigned tasks.
  • Self-motivated; ability to work independently and within a team.
  • Ability to lift 50 lbs. as well as to climb stairs and a ladder.
  • Experience with collections management systems, preferably CatalogIt. Experience with photographing and digitizing collections a plus.
  • Object handling experience preferred.

ORGANIZATIONAL BENEFITS AND PERKS

We work hard to embrace diversity and inclusion and encourage everyone at Historic Columbia to bring their authentic selves to work every day. We offer a variety of growth and professional development opportunities, a welcoming environment, and family-friendly benefits for our team members.

JOB DETAILS: 

$15 an hour | approximately 20 hours per week | on-site in Columbia, SC

Historic Columbia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains compliance with all federal, state, and local laws. 

Research demonstrates that individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often hesitate to apply for jobs if they do not meet all the qualifications. As we recognize that applicants bring a wide range of skillsets, we encourage you to apply if you demonstrate many of the desired qualifications.

Please send a cover letter and resume with three references, at least one of which should be a past supervisor, to jobs@historiccolumbia.org. The title of the email should be the position for which you are applying. We will begin reviewing applications on May 18, 2026.