Hillwood's mission is to delight and engage visitors with an experience inspired by the life of our founder, Marjorie Merriweather Post, and her passion for excellence, gracious hospitality, art, history, and gardens. 

As a female business trailblazer, Marjorie Merriweather Post had extremely high standards for the work she did and a signature style for making people feel welcome in her home. Hillwood's staff and volunteers pride themselves on being an extension of Post's story by creating an oasis in Washington, D.C., where everyone is welcome to learn, explore, and be inspired. From our 13 acres of landscaped gardens to our magnificent collections of fine and decorative arts to exploring the captivating life of Marjorie Merriweather Post, Hillwood offers opportunities to be a part of something fabulous.

Careers

Hillwood employs full- and part-time staff in a variety of roles across our unique campus. Opportunities for careers can be found in horticulture, development, marketing, visitor services, collections, curatorial, library and archives, interpretation, administration, finance, human resources, facilities, and information technology. 

Learn about Hillwood's interview process here.

To join Hillwood's Talent Community click here. 

Current Staff Openings

Volunteer Programs Coordinator 

Museum Security Associate 

Museum Assistant

Seasonal Gardener

Paid Internships

Hillwood offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in engaging real-world experiences. Hillwood is committed to the exploration of careers in horticulture and museum settings, through the sharing of knowledge and the mentorship of students.  

Current Volunteer Openings

Student Volunteers

Fellowships

Elevate your research or artistic aspirations with the prestigious 2025 Liana Paredes Fellowship Program at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. We invite passionate PhD candidates, accomplished scholars, and visionary visual artists to embark on an enriching journey into the heart of our unique institution

Liana Paredes Fellowship Program

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are an integral part of the Hillwood community and serve in a variety of roles. An overview of volunteer positions is available below.  Sign up for Hillwood’s email list to stay up-to-date on the latest volunteer opportunities. Any questions regarding Hillwood’s volunteer program, please email volunteers@hillwoodmuseum.org.

All incoming volunteers require an active Hillwood membership, serve on a floating schedule, honor an annual service commitment, and participate in continuing education. A benefits program, such as volunteer-only events, admission privileges for family/guests, and discounts at the museum shop and Merriweather café, further deepen engagement with Hillwood.

Visitor Services Volunteer (VSV)

During a 3-hour training session followed by on-the-job training shifts, Visitor Services Volunteers learn how to provide exemplary customer service and light interpretation to museum visitors in the visitor center and mansion. Recruitment and training of a new VSV class typically occurs about once a year depending on staffing needs. We are not currently recruiting VSVs.

Outdoor Garden Support Volunteer

Outdoor garden support volunteer are a key part of keeping our gardens a welcoming and vibrant part of the visitor experience.  Outdoor Garden Support Volunteers work across Hillwood’s campus in various outdoor garden settings. They perform routine gardening maintenance, soil preparation and planting in the gardens on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am-10am. Outdoor Garden Support Volunteers typically serve one to two regularly scheduled two-hour shifts per month. At this time, we are not recruiting for outdoor garden support volunteers. 

Mansion Docent Training

In this six-month course, docents-in-training learn how to lead guided tours of the mansion that provide the best possible visitor experience by weaving together stories of the estate, collection, and founder Marjorie Merriweather Post. Docent training is not offered every year, but when the need to train new docents occurs.

Garden Docent Training

In this five-month course, docents-in-training learn how to lead guided tours of Hillwood's thirteen acres of formal gardens that provide the best possible visitor experience by weaving together stories of the estate, garden, and founder Marjorie Merriweather Post. Docent training is not offered every year, but when the need to train new docents occurs.

Hillwood Culture

Our founder, Marjorie Merriweather Post, had a singular style for welcoming people, a style that we call "gracious hospitality." Our mission to engage and inspire visitors through the captivating life, collection, and gardens of Post starts with our staff. Our focus is on listening and cultivating an environment where staff can be their true selves and have their voices heard, and where collaboration starts with graciousness. 

Staff Wellbeing

At Hillwood, we recognize that supporting our staff means supporting their career and personal goals. We provide tools for continual learning, including training, career development, and coaching. Hillwood also offers tools to support staff's physical and mental health through comprehensive benefits. We support the energy and spirit of our staff with robust time off programs, the opportunity to connect with their communities through work arrangements, and volunteerism. 

Hillwood is thrilled to have received the prestigious Bell Seal certification for our outstanding commitment to supporting staff mental health. Bell Seal certification isn't just about meeting standards - it's about leading the charge in prioritizing staff well-being. By investing time, intention, and collaboration across all levels of Hillwood, we are setting an example for the workplace mental health movement. 

Respect for All

It's absolutely critical that our staff feel respected at Hillwood, both in performing their jobs and in sharing their ideas. Our workplace is built on the principle of graciousness. There's no place for harassment of any kind at Hillwood. 

Hillwood values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply. 

Hillwood is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or other applicable characteristics protected by law.

Sustainability

Join Our Mission for a Sustainable Future!

At  Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, our commitment to sustainability drives everything we do. Our dedicated staff are at the forefront of pioneering initiatives in horticulture, energy consumption, and recycling. From eco-friendly exhibition displays to innovative energy-saving practices, our team is leading the way in creating a greener, more sustainable future.

🔋 Energy Consumption: Our experts are implementing cutting-edge technologies to reduce our carbon footprint and optimize energy use throughout the museum.

🌱 Sustainable Horticulture:** Our horticulture team is transforming our gardens with sustainable practices, creating beautiful spaces that support biodiversity and ecological health.

♻️ Recycling and Exhibition Displays: We're proud of our creative staff who design and build exhibitions using recycled and upcycled materials, setting a new standard for sustainable practices in the museum world.

Join us in celebrating the incredible work of our team and be part of a movement that makes a real difference. Together, we're building a brighter, more sustainable future for everyone. 🌍

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