Direct Report: Associate Director of Visitor Service
Dotted Line Report: Facility & IT Coordinator
Team: Visitor Experience/Facilities
Status: Exempt/Full-time/Benefits/37.5 hours per week
Core Schedule: Wednesday–Sunday, but must be flexible to work Mondays and Tuesdays if needed for special programs, events, or maintenance work orders.
Core Hours: 9 am–5 pm
Wage: Competitive wage and commensurate with experience.
Other: Benefits include health care plan, dental, 401k plan with employer contribution, free parking, vacation, holidays, and sick time.
Other benefits: Museum membership and other special discounts.
To Apply
Send cover letter, résumé, and three references by email to
tafthr@taftmuseum.org by July 13, 2018. Please use the words “Operations and Facility Assistant” in the subject line. No calls, please. Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted by the Taft Museum of Art.
The Taft Museum of Art, located in downtown Cincinnati, seeks an Operations and Facility Assistant who will be responsible for supporting the Visitor Services and Facility/IT teams. This position requires a positive, highly organized team player who communicates proactively, is attentive to detail, able to manage multiple priorities, works independently, and has the ability to work with multiple lines of supervision. Enjoy this rare opportunity to join the staff of one of the finest small art museums in the United States.
Position Overview
Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Visitor Experience, with a dotted line report to the Facility Operations/IT Coordinator, the Operations and Facility Assistant performs a variety of work orders on a weekly basis. These work orders are in non-gallery/exhibition areas of the museum to include the patio, tent area, grounds, bathrooms, office spaces, parking areas, event spaces, and other key visitor areas.
In addition, this position assists in delivering time-sensitive projects to ensure “Event Work Orders” and daily Visitor Experience initiatives are handled promptly. This work is critical to ensure that each day the Museum delivers on its goal of providing meaningful and exceptional experiences to all our visitors.
He/she communicates daily with the Associate Director of Visitor Experience and the Facility Operations/IT Coordinator on all maintenance and event support activities that could impact the visitor experience or work environment.
Core Responsibilities
Operations—60%
- Attend weekly operations meetings to be informed about upcoming events and meetings requiring facility support.
- Assist event vendors with operational needs (where to set up, where to plug in equipment, etc.). Work with members of visitor experience, admissions, café, shop, and facility rental staff or vendors to prepare for events, programs, and meetings. Example: seating and table setups and breakdowns.
- Maintain mailroom organization.
Facilities—40%
- Assist with both scheduled and unscheduled repairs.
- Routine inventory maintenance of furniture and similar items (e.g. correctly storing, cleaning, and maintaining tent furniture).
- Basic facilities maintenance as outlined on “Maintenance List” provided by Facilities Coordinator.
- Weekly facility supply inspection and inventory reporting (batteries, light bulbs, etc.).
- Weekly facility visual inspection to document and remedy facility maintenance needs.
- Ongoing management of general-use (non-art) and offsite storage spaces to ensure efficient use of space, safety of equipment, and safety of staff using spaces.
- Regular cleaning check of public areas: restrooms, dining spaces, trash removal, supply restock, etc. during open hours.
- Incidental facility maintenance and cleaning during opening hours or events (e.g. bathroom blockages, outdoor heaters and/or fan setup, and general labor). Daily outdoor maintenance (e.g. blowing leaves off patio, wiping down furniture, incidental assistance with cold weather treatments, cleaning in parking garage).
- Assist with receiving deliveries and escorting facility vendors, once it/they have been cleared by security.
- Assistance with office relocations or other administrative set-up needs.
- Coordination of off-site deliveries/pick-ups or off-site storage using a Taft-rented vehicle.
Required Education and Experience
- Minimum of 3+ years of experience in positions involving building maintenance, light maintenance, grounds work, and janitorial work.
- Experience in working as part of a team within a museum, cultural center, or other facility that requires a high degree of interaction with visitors is a plus.
- Experience in how to do a variety of building maintenance and repairs, such as drywall, paint, simple electrical, and carpentry.
- High school completion or equivalent certification. Vocational technical training a plus! Current, valid driver's license with clean driving record is required; must be eligible to work in the United States.
Required Competencies (Skills)
- Alignment with Organizational Mission, Goals and Core Values: Understands and embraces the Museum mission and goals. Role models, reflects, and reinforces core values of respect, integrity, excellence, creativity, and collaboration.
- Collaboration/Teamwork: Team player who is ready and willing to help wherever needed; must be a “hands on” employee who is willing to step in. When required, responds promptly and professionally to building emergencies in a manner that protects both the Museum and its visitors equally.
- Prioritization and Problem Solving: Ability to plan, organize, and meet project deadlines by prioritizing work is required. Ability to order parts and maintain required documents. Self-starting, identifies work that needs to be accomplished and teams with his or her peers to ensure that it is completed. Ability to work independently in the performance of a variety of maintenance tasks such as planned preventative maintenance, or other dispatched tasks that may occur at the Museum.
- Communication/Visitor Experience: Demonstrates a passion and aptitude for delivering exceptional customer service.
Other
- Ability to stoop, stand, climb, and occasionally lift up to 75 lbs. Occasionally required to crouch and reach to install/move equipment by bending forward at the waist or by bending legs and spine. Involves ascending and descending stairs to facilitate work.
- Ability to speak clearly and create written documents in English so others can understand you. Ability to read and understand information presented both orally and in writing.
- Highly capable with Microsoft-based applications and skills: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, et al.
- Must be able to read and comprehend computer screens, printed material, drawings, and schematics related to facility management.
- Position requires that the candidate can stand and walk throughout his or her shift and carry a tool pack weighing up to 15 pounds.
- Capability of working outdoors, and in tight or confined spaces.
- Must have access to reliable transportation.
About the Taft
The Taft Museum of Art, which opened in 1932, is one of the finest small art museums in the United States. A founder-based museum, the Taft presents the collections of Charles and Anna Taft, noted Gilded Age collectors. The holdings consist of European old master and 19th-century paintings; 19th-century American paintings and sculpture; European decorative arts, with strength in French Renaissance enamels, Italian maiolica, and watches; and American Federal-period furniture. Works from the small, exquisite collection are lent selectively to leading international museums. The facility comprises a historic house (built c. 1820) that is on the National Historic Register and a modern wing completed in 2004. Located in downtown Cincinnati, the Museum is part of a resurgent downtown culture.
Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Taft Museum of Art, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status or any other protected characteristic as established by law. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, placement, compensation, promotion, discipline, and termination. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.