Employment Opportunities

Looking to join the American Battlefield Trust team? Explore our open full-time positions and part-time internship opportunities below. Find out more about the benefits and highlights of working at the Trust on our career page.

• Chief Financial Officer

• Development Manager for Major Giving Society

• Development Assistant
• Executive Assistant to the President
• Associate of Digital Content 
• Internships

Open Positions

Chief Financial Officer

The American Battlefield Trust, the nation’s premier historic land preservation nonprofit organization, seeks an experienced Chief Financial Officer. The Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters.

The Chief Financial Officer will direct and oversee the financial activities of the organization, prepare financial reports and summaries, and oversee the accounting, budget preparation, and audit functions, working with other department heads to monitor each department and make recommendations for improvement.

Location: Washington, DC
Reports To: President/CEO
Job Classification: Full-Time; Exempt

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• At least 10 years of direct professional experience, including managing the finance and accounting functions of a $20 million to $50 million organization
• Bachelor’s degree (MA/MBA highly preferred), ideally in Business, Management, or Finance
• CPA license strongly preferred
• Experience creating and driving the analytic framework for planning and managing organizational change in a small but highly entrepreneurial organization
• Extensive knowledge of MS Excel and Quickbooks or other accounting software

Ideal Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with experience collaborating in a multidisciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team
• Demonstrated experience in non-profit financial management and accounting 
• Experience should include legal, audit, compliance, budget, grant management, and resource development, with experience in complex real estate transactions being a plus
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities, and proposing new ways of creating efficiencies
• Proven effectiveness leading professionals in finance and business management
• Technologically savvy, with an ability to point to examples of having worked with staff to develop and implement new processes and systems that increased efficiency and visibility in a fast-moving environment
• Flexible and a self-starter; able to multitask while also being highly detail oriented
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, sense of humor, and a commitment to the preservation and education mission of the American Battlefield Trust.
• Preference given to non-profit experience

Duties and Responsibilities

• Business Development: 
  
  • Provides analytical support and financial recommendations for new business proposals
  • Works closely with the President and Executive Team to develop profit/loss forecasts and controls
• Leadership:
  
  • Responsible for all aspects of the organization’s financial management including: managing unrestricted and restricted cash, managing and reporting financial performance, and setting priorities
  • Works closely with the President, Executive Team and the Board to identify their financial information needs and provide clear, useful financial analysis and information to help them meet their responsibilities for financial oversight
  • Responsible for recruiting and retaining a highly competent staff or vendors to fulfill additional needs
  • Identifies tools to improve the efficiency and quality of the organization’s financial management, including new technology or workflows
  • Fosters a culture of transparency and ethical conduct
  • Other leadership duties as assigned by the President
• Budgeting:
  
  • Oversees the preparation of the annual cash budget and its incorporation into the Trust’s financial systems, working collaboratively with the President and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to engage other members of the Executive Team, with a focus on setting priorities, directing the allocation of resources based on those priorities, and bringing together the right teams of people to resolve issues
  • S/he and the CAO will work together to monitor the budget and engage the Executive Team to initiate whatever changes are necessary to keep the budget balanced
  • Responsible for the development of reports for management and Board review that are transparent, understandable, that raise any issues clearly and understandably, and that propose solutions to issues as they arise
• Finance/Accounting:
  
  • Immediately reports any financial concerns, along with specific recommendations to address the concerns, to the President and Executive Team (and the Board, when appropriate)
  • Provides timely, accurate, and transparent financial reports to management and the Board
  • Participates in long-range planning efforts, providing financial analysis and forecasts to support this work
  • Oversees tax return planning and preparation for the Trust and works with external tax preparer to complete the annual tax returns on time
  • Manages the Trust’s relationship with all financial institutions including banks, custodians, depository accounts, and investment accounts
  • Obtains Board approval for and negotiates/secures capital financing, including bond financing and lines or letters of credit, as needed. Oversees debt obligations and fulfills all covenant requirements imposed by lenders
  • Works to ensure that the Trust has appropriate insurance coverage
  • Staffs the Finance Committee and the Audit Committee of the Board including preparation of agenda, minutes, reports, and other materials requested by the Committees
• Audit:
  
  • Works with the Audit Committee, President, and others in the development and completion of internal audits including reporting results to the Audit Committee and implementing recommendations
  • Maintains systems of internal controls to safeguard the financial assets of the Trust
  • Works with the President and others to periodically report to the Audit Committee on the Trust’s potential financial, operational, and reputational risks
  • Assists the Audit Committee in hiring external financial auditors and coordinates the annual financial audits, including Uniform Guidance audits and employee benefit plan audits
  • Ensures that the Trust is in compliance with all 501c(3) 401(a) and 403(b) requirements, that the Trust’s financial statements are GAAP compliant, and the Trust is complying with all applicable federal, state, and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting

At the American Battlefield Trust, we build parks and tell stories — the narrative threads that make up the rich tapestry of our nation. Our culture calls for hardworking, entrepreneurial individuals that take calculated, intelligent risks and are always looking for opportunities to learn and improve. Our staff is united by a commitment to excellence and a passion for keeping American history alive. 

Since 1987, the Trust has saved more than 53,000 acres of hallowed battlefield land from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. We have reached millions of students and other life-long learners through our education programs.  As our nation heads toward the 250th anniversary of its birth, we are looking to grow even more and build upon our previous successes.  

How to apply

To apply for the position, please send resume, cover letter, salary requirements, and references to finance@battlefields.org.  No calls, please.

Development Manager for Major Giving Society

The American Battlefield Trust, the nation’s premier historic land preservation nonprofit organization, seeks a development team member to manage our major donor giving society, the Color Bearers. The Color Bearer society consists of over 1,300 members who contribute between $1,000 - $25,000 in annual membership dues. These generous individuals are passionate about our mission and organization. First and foremost, the Development Manager will work to build relationships and cultivate our Color Bearers, providing valuable stewardship to ensure that they continue their support. The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters.

Location: Washington, DC
Reports To: Director of Development
Job Classification: Full-Time; Exempt

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare a series of innovative, multi-channel, marketing campaigns designed to acquire new Color Bearers.
• Create and implement a plan to upgrade existing Color Bearers to higher membership levels.
• Increase retention of existing Color Bearers through stewardship, cultivation, customer service, acknowledgement letters, and renewals.
• Oversee administrative aspects of the program, with assistance from the Development Assistant.

Experience, Abilities & Skills

• Previous experience in membership fundraising (2-5+ years) highly preferred, but demonstrated success in other business or professional fields will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Comfortable in constant communication with donors and with a highly functioning and collegial Development team.
• Exceptional work ethic, attention to detail, initiative, polished professionalism, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.  
• Passion for preserving America’s history by saving endangered Civil War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812 battlefields. 
• Interest or experience in Event Planning is a plus. 

To apply for the position, please send resume, cover letter, salary requirements, and references to developmentresumes@battlefields.org.  No calls, please. Salary is commensurate with experience, and we offer excellent benefits. This position is based at our downtown Washington, D.C. Headquarters (and is currently largely remote due to Washington D.C. COVID-19 restrictions). Occasional overnight travel, evening and weekend work will be required.

Development Assistant

The American Battlefield Trust, the nation’s premier historic land preservation nonprofit organization, seeks a Development Assistant to serve as the administrative contact of the entire Development Department, interface with all other departments within the organization, and serve as a primary contact for donors and supporters. The Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters.

Location: Washington, DC
Reports To: Senior Development Manager
Job Classification: Full-Time; Exempt

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Support planned giving and major donor societies with accurate data entry, communications, event support, membership renewals, stewardship, etc.
• Manage the timely acknowledgment of gifts and produce donor letters on a weekly basis
• Process incoming and outgoing gifts and mail 
• Assist the Development Department in scheduling meetings, maintaining and updating calendars, and other administrative functions
• Collaborate with various departments in planning and execution of major donor events as well as member conferences and tours
• Assist with prospect research for Development Manager and major gifts team
• Create donor lists, regularly update, and achieve proficiency in EveryAction donor management software
• Interface with donors and supporters directly via phone, email, mail and in person to answer donation questions and steward relationships
• Manage yearly Combined Federal Campaign and state charitable campaign applications and marketing
• Supervise 100+ gift donor stewardship program and maintain marketing and communication schedule
• Assist with gathering of information for, and creation of, reports for Board of Trustees meetings
• Provide back up coverage for Office Manager/receptionist
• Proofread and edit donor correspondence for major gift officers and other members of department
• Supervise and train the Development Intern
• Other duties as assigned

Experience, Abilities & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 1-3 years of work or intern experience in administrative support, development, project management, or event planning
• Past nonprofit experience in both internship and full-time roles is a plus
• The ideal candidate is organized, has excellent time management and attention to detail, can handle multiple tasks at once, communicates effectively and freely and is a problem solver
• Exceptional customer service abilities
• Skills and experience in the following: Microsoft Office Suite; work with databases and internet research (knowledge of constituent/donor databases like EveryAction and Raiser’s Edge a plus); internet research
• Excellent reading, writing, and grammar, both written and verbal
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team but work independently as well
• Interest in fundraising
• A love of history, and an affinity for historic preservation, and history education

To apply for the position, please send resume, cover letter, salary requirements, and references to developmentresumes@battlefields.org.  No calls, please.

At the American Battlefield Trust, we build parks and tell stories — the narrative threads that make up the rich tapestry of our nation. Our culture calls for hardworking, entrepreneurial individuals that take calculated, intelligent risks and are always looking for opportunities to learn and improve. Our staff is united by a commitment to excellence and a passion for keeping American history alive. 

Since 1987, the Trust has saved more than 53,000 acres of hallowed battlefield land from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. We have reached millions of students and other life-long learners through our education programs.  As our nation heads toward the 250th anniversary of its birth, we are looking to grow even more and build upon our previous successes.  

Executive Assistant to the President

Location: Washington, DC
Reports To: President/CEO
Job Classification: Full-Time; Exempt

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Conserves president’s time by reading, researching, and routing correspondence; drafting letters and documents; collecting and analyzing information; and initiating communications
• Maintains president’s appointment schedule by planning and scheduling meetings, teleconferences, and travel
• Plays a key role in communication and coordination with the Board of Trustees, partner organizations, public officials, members, and donors
• Supports Board & donor events, including taking meeting minutes and providing logistical support for Board of Trustees meetings
• Provides on-call administrative support to the American Battlefield Trust’s operating departments to further our mission of battlefield land preservation and education

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• At least three years of experience in an administrative, managerial, or other relevant capacity
• Outstanding organizational, time management, interpersonal, and verbal & written communication skills  
• Flexible and a self-starter; able to multitask while also being highly detail oriented
• Excellent MS Office knowledge
• High School degree (Bachelor’s degree preferred)
• Personal qualities of integrity, discretion/confidentiality, sense of humor, and a commitment to the preservation and education mission of the American Battlefield Trust

At the American Battlefield Trust, we seek to be “the best in the world” at what we do. Our culture calls for hardworking, entrepreneurial individuals that take calculated, intelligent risks and are always looking for opportunities to learn and improve. Our staff is united by a commitment to excellence and a passion for keeping American history alive. 

Since 1987, the Trust has saved more than 53,000 acres of hallowed battlefield land from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War from destruction due to inappropriate development.  We have reached millions of students and other life-long learners through our education programs.  As our nation heads toward the 250th anniversary of its birth, we are looking to grow even more and build upon our previous successes.  

How to apply

To apply for the position, please send a resume and cover letter to: executiveassistant@battlefields.org.  No calls, please.

Associate of Digital Content 

Location: Washington, DC
Reports To: Manager of Audience Development
Job Classification: Full-Time; Exempt

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide support for the Digital Media team focusing on creating, managing, and editing written content. This includes tailoring the tone and subject matter so that it is appropriate for all audiences targeted through the Trust’s properties, with an emphasis on the young adult (12-29) audience, and while always maintaining historical accuracy and authority. 
• The Content Associate should be an excellent writer and researcher who is comfortable cultivating and maintaining relationships with colleagues, partners, content producers, and the public. The Content Associate should be self-motivated and comfortable juggling a variety of tasks with limited supervision.
• The primary duty of the Content Associate will be to prepare engaging, accurate, and error-free communications to represent the Trust brand(s). 
• Additional duties will include: research projects about a variety of topics relating to American history, with an emphasis on the American Revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War, and its many individual stories, making an effort to be as inclusive as possible with that story-telling; working with staff to create content calendars; and preparing content for sharing on social media channels and external websites for the purpose of raising awareness to the Trust and American history.
• This position involves working on a daily basis with the Digital, Education, and Communication teams (e.g., developers, designers, content producers, writers, historians) to ensure that new content is being added in a timely manner; that the site is functioning properly; and that copy, design, and functionality stay faithful to the Trust’s voice, tone, and design principles. In addition, the Associate will work with the Manager for Audience Development to assure growth and engagement for the complete spectrum of our many constituents across social channels, and to ensure that the funnel for donations is healthy.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience
The Content Associate must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in history, or related field, along with two years of experience, or study, in journalism, communications, creative writing, interactive media, marketing, or another relevant field. [Experience through internships or fellowships during college may qualify.] The Content Associate should have:

•  Excellent written and oral and communication skills and attention to detail. Comprehensive knowledge of written English, and an ability to write clearly and concisely using proper grammar, sentence structure, and word definition. Ability to adhere to the organization’s established tone and voice.
• A desire to create memorable, compelling content and happy readers, users, or customers who will be motivated to take some form of action (visit a battlefield, learn about American history, park clean-up, donate, etc.)
• Excellent research and analytical skills in order to research and compile information from a variety of sources for the Web. Ability to identify authoritative sources of information. Extremely comfortable using and interpreting primary-source material.
• Strong ability to solve complex information challenges, translating the obtuse and intimidating into the straightforward and easy to navigate.
• Strong grasp of brand and voice and ability to reflect that understanding in all work from a language and visual perspective.
• Excellent editing skills and strong ability to prepare and/or review written communication in a range of formats (e.g., articles, video, social media posts, reports) for a range of audiences (e.g., young adults, history buffs, retirees). Ability to formulate these communications in a timely fashion. 
• Ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with developers, designers, historians, content creators, and staff – all the while bringing in the voice and needs of the visitor/constituent. 
• Strong project management skills and organizational ability.  Attention to detail, problem-solving, and follow-through.  Ability to work on numerous projects simultaneously.  Ability to work independently on long-term projects.  Ability to lead as well as work as part of a team.

Additional Skills
Ideally, the Content Associate will also have some combination of these additional areas of interest or expertise:

• Strong skills in computing, logic, and analysis. 
• Journalistic experience (identifying stories, identifying and reaching out to experts and interview subjects, conducting interviews, and finding compelling hooks and angles for presenting information).
• Basic knowledge of statistical methods and ability to understand and interpret academic research, particularly in the areas of history and social science. 
• Knowledge of topics related to military history. 
• Experience in history education.
• Design and/or video production skills.
• Interest in/knowledge of popular culture.
• Knowledge of the overall mission, policies, legislation, operations, goals, and objectives of the battlefield land preservation to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of user-centered design principles.
• Interest in/knowledge of world history.
• Professional and/or experience using social media sites including any or all of the following: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, Pinterest, Reddit, TikTok, and Instagram.
• Interest in/knowledge of behavior change theory, social marketing, and social psychology.
• Experience with social media metrics and/or web analytical tools.
• Knowledge and skill in the use of word processing, spreadsheets, and database software to prepare reports, maintain databases and track information, write up research, and other actions. 
• A working understanding of digital marketing strategies and tactics.

How to apply
To apply for the position, please send a resume and cover letter to: ctownsend@battlefields.org.  No calls, please.

Internship Opportunities

Please note: Though the American Battlefield Trust is accepting resumes at this time, our internship openings are subject to change as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop. Job seekers are welcome to submit their application and reach out to interns@battlefields.org to confirm openings.

The American Battlefield Trust provides students interested in history and conservation with outstanding opportunities to work on meaningful projects and gain perspective on the dynamics of an efficient, top-rated nonprofit organization.

The Trust offers paid part-time internships in our Washington, D.C. office, up to 30 hours per week, as needed throughout the year. Successful candidates may be able to arrange for varied tenures, depending on availability. While we strive to accommodate the schedules of qualified candidates, the selection process is competitive and organizational staffing needs are consideration criteria.

We are currently accepting applications for the following department(s). Please see the department descriptions below:

• Development​ (Fall)
• Digital Media (Fall)

Successful candidates will be contacted by a staff member directly. As part of the selection process, candidates may be asked to participate in an interview, either in person or over the phone. We regret that due to the volume of submissions, we may not be able to respond personally to all applicants. No calls, please.

Candidates must specify the department (first and second choices are welcome) for which they wish to be considered. Application packages containing a cover letter, resume and two writing samples (no more than five pages; excerpts welcome). Please submit applications specifically for the Development internship to developmentresumes@battlefields.org, and all other departments to interns@battlefields.org, or:

American Battlefield Trust
ATTN: Intern Coordinator
1156 15th Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20005

Internship applicants can expect the following per department:

Development:

Interns will learn the mechanics of the nonprofit industry, including event planning, prospect research and donor and member cultivation and management.

Education:

These internships entail a wide variety of Civil War and Revolutionary War research, writing, content creation and image or video editing in support of our education programs on our web site, at American Battlefield Trust events and in print. These are just some of the opportunities available to you as an intern for the American Battlefield Trust Education Department. For motivated History majors, who are looking to hone and develop their public history and program management skills, this internship is for you.

Government & Public Relations:

Interns assist with multimedia advocacy and outreach efforts; planning, preparing for and executing select special events; drafting and distributing news releases; and supporting a wide variety of government and public relations initiatives throughout the year.  

Land Preservation:

Interns will work on land acquisition projects that may include the review of land records, transaction documentation and grant tracking — a perfect fit for detail-oriented law students.

Digital Media:

Interns assist with social media, marketing, digital video editing, and web publishing to help 19th-century history meet 21st-century technology.

More opportunities

If you’re interested in bringing your experience and passion to the Trust, but we don’t have the right position available right now, please email our HR Manager at cgaluska@battlefields.org with your resume and contact information, and we’ll reach out if we ever have an opportunity that we think might be a good fit.  

The American Battlefield Trust is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.