Museum Facilities Assistant

The Princeton University Art Museum seeks a highly effective Museum Facilities Assistant to join a team that supports the Museum's facilities and staff. They will work closely with the Associate Director for Finance and Operations, the Museum Facilities Manager, the Facilities Team, the Security Operations Manager, the Head of Art Museum Security Supervisor, and the Museum Event Team. The Museum Facilities Assistant will assist with all aspects of maintaining the Museum's facilities, including maintenance of Museum spaces (multiple locations) such as light carpentry and electrical work, and light custodial work; set-up for special events; ordering and picking up supplies; painting building spaces; taking and maintaining inventory of non-art items and publications at the Museum and offsite storage facilities; driving and moving non-art items to and from storage; painting galleries and pedestals; changing light bulbs and fixtures in non-public areas; scheduling usage and maintenance of Museum vehicles; and other duties as assigned.

About the Museum: 

With a collecting history that extends back to 1755, the Princeton University Art Museum is one of the leading university art museums in the country, with collections that have grown to include more than 117,000 works of art ranging from ancient to contemporary art and spanning the globe. Committed to advancing Princeton’s teaching and research missions, the Art Museum also serves as a gateway to the University for visitors worldwide. As the Museum prepares for a dramatically reconceived new building scheduled to open in Fall 2025, the Art Museum presents three exhibitions in its downtown venue Art@Bainbridge. When the new building opens, the Art Museum will open with 32 galleries and initiate its new exhibitions program with seven annual exhibitions onsite and on tour.  

To learn more about the Princeton University Art Museum, visit artmuseum.princeton.edu. 

• Assist the Facilities Manager with any duties within the Museum and maintenance of off-site Museum spaces
• Receive Museum publications, distribute, deliver, and pick up from off-site storage sites
• Maintain inventory of non-art storage
• Painting of building spaces, including offices, galleries between exhibitions, and rotations
• Coordinate with the reception event team contact regarding the setup, including caterers and bartenders, etc. 
• Scheduling the usage and maintenance of Museum vehicles 
• Manage and maintain coffee and bottled water supplies
• Receive all incoming mail, UPS, and FedEx packages, and distribute them to the staff. 
• Maintain all lockers for the public and students in the lobby areas
• Maintain outdoor patio furniture and hard-scape areas, light grounds work, including light power washing and leaf blowing
• Event setups, including moving furniture, tables, and chairs

Essential Requirements

• High school diploma or GED, and 4-6 years of work experience
• Move carefully and confidently within confined spaces and among the Museum's valuable objects on display
• Properly analyze the physical environment and assess the inherent risk associated with working around and, as needed, above works of art
• Knowledge and ability to paint large areas of varied wall surfaces to a high-level finish
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license
• Required to work overtime as needed during evenings and weekends for event coverage for over 200 events a year
• A successful finalist will be required to complete a background check and pass a rigorous pre-employment physical
• Moderate physical fitness — as a Museum Facilities Assistant, you must possess the following:
  • stand or walk up to 2 hours at one time for 4 hours per day
  • sit for up to 2 hours at one time for up to 4 hours per day
  • operates motor vehicles or heavy equipment (e.g., forklift) occasionally (less than 33% of the workday)
  • lift or carry up to 100 pounds occasionally (less than 33% of the workday)
  • lift up to 100 pounds to waist height and up to 30 pounds in a range of motions from floor to overhead
  • frequently use hands for simple grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, or pulling (34 – 66% of the workday)
  • occasionally squat, reach overhead, lift overhead, push or pull with forces up to 100 pounds (less than 33% of the work day)
  • frequently bend, kneel, climb stairs or ladders (34 – 66% of the work day)
  • work on loading docks in a variety of temperatures and environmental conditions
  • possess ability to work at heights, full range of body motions, physical agility, and ability to maintain balance.

Preferred Requirements

• Ability to work collaboratively and follow instructions
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and with a keen sense of mission
• Understanding of the physical nature of facilities work and its nontraditional work schedule;
• Knowledge in working with PCs exhibiting the ability to create Excel spreadsheets and inventory controls
• Proficiency in building maintenance skills; comfortable climbing ladders and scaffolding, and operating aerial lifts

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.