The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum seeks a full-time Facilities Assistant. Reporting to the Manager of Building Operations, this position involves performing regular heavy cleaning, light maintenance, event and program setup, and other related duties for all public and non-public areas of the Museum and nearby warehouse space. The ideal candidate should be able to work carefully in a museum environment and have an ability to perform a variety of tasks in a timely and efficient manner. The position requires a person capable of working comfortably as part of a facilities/custodial team and in tandem with others at the Museum, as well as working responsibly on their own. They must be able to work conscientiously, be self-motivated, and be able to reliably complete numerous tasks with minimum oversight. This position requires an attention to detail, and proactive communication. The ideal candidate is energetic, focused, and responsive to the needs of the Museum’s activities and other employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on janitorial and basic maintenance tasks, including daily cleaning of both public and non-public, indoor and outdoor museum spaces, e.g., bathrooms, galleries, kitchen, shop, classroom, offices, meeting spaces, garden walks, sidewalks, and nearby warehouse space. The physical demands can be heavy at times, consisting of trash pickup, sweeping, dusting, mopping, vacuuming, glass cleaning, bathroom cleaning, changing light bulbs, testing emergency lights, moving furniture, etc.

• Perform garden maintenance, and use outdoor power equipment such as leaf blower, weed whacker, and snow blower.

• Proactively monitor and maintain cleanliness of the building throughout the day, routinely checking all areas for dust, debris, etc. Checking for and removing graffiti and litter from the building’s exterior. Shovel snow and spread salt on sidewalks in winter.

• Set up and clean classroom for education workshops and meetings.

• Organize and maintain tools and cleaning supplies in a small shop and maintenance room. Keep inventory of and notify supervisor of any items that need to be replenished or replaced.

• Respond promptly to emergency cleanups.

• Provide assistance with Museum events and programs.

• Work with the Facilities Department to identify, plan, and accomplish long-term building maintenance projects.

• Work independently and with other Facilities Department employees on a day-to-day basis performing regular museum upkeep.

• Other tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of janitorial/maintenance experience.

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

• Valid driver’s license and ability and comfort driving a commercial cargo van.

• Basic electrical, plumbing, carpentry, or painting skills, a plus.

• Ability to lift up to 100 pounds, and lift 40 pounds regularly and repeatedly.

• Ability to bend, stoop, stand, walk, reach, and climb for extended periods of time.

• Demonstrated understanding of the care, caution, and vigilance that must be exercised around delicate artworks and artifacts.

The Facilities Assistant position is full-time and located in The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens, and its nearby warehouses. Hours are five days per week, Sunday through Thursday, 9 am–5 pm, and includes a paid lunch hour. The annual salary is $50,000, and benefits include a generous health insurance program, including medical, dental, and vision, pre-tax commuter benefits, a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer contribution and match after a year of employment, and paid time off (starting with 30 PTO days, plus 11 holidays per year), as well as other benefits.  

Hours outside of the scheduled times are an occasional requirement of the position, and are paid at an overtime rate. Work is performed throughout the Museum building and properties and offsite warehouse with prolonged periods of standing and walking.

The health and safety of our community is our first priority. As such, The Noguchi Museum strongly encourages all staff members to be fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccine.

To Apply

Please send cover letter and résumé by email to:

jobs@noguchi.org with subject line “Facilities Assistant Position”

or by mail to:

Facilities Assistant Position
The Noguchi Museum
32-37 Vernon Boulevard
Long Island City, NY 11106

The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum is seeking a part-time Development Assistant. The Development Assistant plays a key role in supporting the Director of Individual Giving and Events and the membership department. Primary responsibilities include assisting with maintaining and growing the membership programs through implementation of membership acquisition and renewal campaigns; responding to membership inquiries via telephone, written, and email communication; maintaining Museum database, entering and acknowledging membership gifts, distributing digital membership cards; and assisting with in-person and virtual members’ events and exhibition openings, along with maintaining guest lists.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Drafts membership acquisition and renewal letters and emails for various campaigns, in addition to other correspondence, and assists with coordination of mailings

• Maintains constituent records and enters membership gifts into Museum’s database (Neon)

• Acknowledges membership gifts and handles membership fulfillment

• Assists with in-person and virtual members’ events and exhibition openings, and maintains guest lists

• Communicates with members and responds to membership inquiries

• Other tasks as assigned

Requirements

• Must have a bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience in museums or administration, preferably development

• Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills

• Interest in modern and contemporary art; a familiarity with New York arts community and its institutions

• Must be a strategic thinker and self-starter

• Possess the ability to work independently and collaboratively

• Possess accuracy, attention to detail, the ability to prioritize and follow-through

• Team player who is willing to pitch in as necessary

• Proficient in database management and Microsoft Office Suite

• Working knowledge of MailChimp

• An interest in the life, work, and vision of Isamu Noguchi

The Development Assistant position is part-time and located in The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens. This position is anticipated to work 16 hours per week, which can be divided over two to three days. The office hours are Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm. The hourly wage is $23. Part-time employees also receive pre-tax commuter benefits, as well as paid time off based on tenure, starting with three days per year. Employees also receive accrued paid sick days and employee discounts on merchandise for sale at the Museum, among other benefits.

Currently, the Museum is operating on a flexible work schedule between remote and in-person at the Museum as we continue to assess the risk and impact of COVID-19. The health and safety of our community is our first priority. As such, and in accordance with New York City requirements, The Noguchi Museum requires all staff members to be fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations for medical, religious, or other reasons will be considered in accordance with applicable law.

Hours outside of the scheduled times are an occasional requirement of the position. Work is often performed in an office environment; prolonged periods of sitting, use of computers and standard office equipment required to accomplish work objectives.

The Noguchi Museum is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, disability or any other criterion specified by federal, state or local laws, in the administration of its employment policy. The Museum considers the diversity of its workforce to be vital to our organization’s success in meeting its mission.

To Apply

Please send a résumé and cover letter as a single PDF to jobs@noguchi.org with “Development Assistant” in the subject line.