MoMA PS1 Maintainer

About MoMA PS1

PS1 was born out of New York’s alternative space movement in the 1970s, transforming an abandoned nineteenth Century schoolhouse in Long Island City, Western Queens, into a space for artists and their collaborators to generate ideas and present work.

Located in what was once an industrial enclave, the institution has now become a creative landmark in the fastest growing residential neighborhood in the country. In 1976 PS1 was registered as an independent non-profit in a City-owned building, and in 1982 it became the first Cultural Institutions Group member (CIG) that focused on contemporary art as part of NYC’s Department of Cultural Affairs. Then, in 2000 PS1 also established an affiliation with the Museum of Modern Art and in 2010 it became known as MoMA PS1.

In 2023-24 we have a budget of approximately $13MM and are a team of around 50, led by an independent Board of Directors. Working with an evolving constellation of practitioners, neighbors, and partners, we are committed to the critical work of diversity, access, and inclusion. It is through these lenses that we examine and build our programs, relationships, and organizational culture. We champion how artists are at the intersection of the social, cultural, and political issues of their time. We center equity in how we work and what we do.

We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements listed on this job description, but may not meet 100% of the qualifications. If much of this job description describes you, we encourage you to apply for this role.

SummaryThe Maintainers at MoMA PS1 are responsible for all heavy cleaning, maintenance and event setup around the museum’s facilities, including all public and non-public areas.

SupervisionMaintainers report to the Manager of Operations.

ResponsibilitiesA. Maintain cleanliness of facilities

• Generally ensure that all interior and exterior areas of museum are clean, tidy, and safe for public, staff, and other occupants and users of building.
• Clean all interior public areas of museum before and after public hours, including but not limited to restrooms, galleries, hallways, and Visitor Kiosk.
• Tasks include but are not limited to cleaning and restocking all restrooms; sweeping, mopping, stripping, buffing, and waxing floors; vacuuming carpet; dusting; emptying garbage receptacles; and handling recycling
• Clean all exterior public areas of museum before and after public hours, including but not limited to Courtyard and sidewalks surrounding the building. Tasks include but are not limited to raking, weed removal, power washing and garbage removal.
• Proactively monitor and maintain cleanliness of building throughout shift, especially in public areas during public hours, including but not limited to performing all restroom checklist items in a timely manner and according to schedule.
• Clean non-public areas of museum before office hours, including but not limited to offices, carpentry workshop, loading dock. Tasks include but are not limited to sweeping, mopping, stripping, buffing, and waxing floors; vacuuming carpet, dusting, emptying garbage receptacles, handling recycling, removing scrap wood to dumpsters, and properly storing tools and equipment.
• Respond to emergency cleaning needs and requests as required, including from floods, leaks, and other causes.
• Move and assemble furniture, including but not limited to office Furniture, desks, filing cabinets, cushions, and other event furniture and supplies.
• Bring mail and other small packages and deliveries to designated areas.
• Proactively check for and remove all graffiti, stickers, and other vandalism and debris from interior and exterior of building.
• Perform other cleaning duties as needed and assigned.

B. General maintenance and repair

• Generally monitor all interior and exterior building areas for repairs ensure safe conditions, and report issues to the supervisor.
• Proactively check for burned-out and non-functioning lighting through interior and exterior of building, report any issues to the supervisor and change as required.
• Perform routine inspections of walls and floors throughout interior and exterior of building, and perform necessary repairs in a timely manner including but not limited to painting.
• Remove any snow, ice, and water from outdoor areas, including sidewalks, Courtyard, and loading dock, and install entryway mats as needed to limit interior moisture.
• Respond to emergency maintenance needs and requests as required, including from floods, leaks, and other causes.
• Assist Maintenance Technicians as needed and assigned.

C. Provide event assistance

• Maintain clean and tidy conditions throughout events, including but not limited to maintaining and restocking restrooms and emptying garbage receptacles.
• Setup and breakdown of event equipment including but not limited to staging, tables, chairs, heat lamps, garbage receptacles, event infrastructure, extension cords, kegerators and other event specific items.
• Respond to emergency event needs and requests as required.
• Provide other event assistance as needed and assigned.

D. Building protocol and procedure

• Ensure all doors and windows are returned to locked positions.
• Respond to Security directions as given to maintain the safety and security of patrons, staff and artwork.
• Respond to Fire Alarm and other incidents per discretion of Operations Management and Security Personnel.

QualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Minimum of one year of responsible experience in building maintenance and repair; or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to use hand and power tools, or ability to acquire such skill.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees of the organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to interpret miscellaneous drawings and schematics.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Please be advised that due to the high volume of applicants, we are only able to contact those candidates whose skills and background best fit the needs of the open positions. Thank you for your interest in employment opportunities at MoMA PS1.
• MoMA PS1 is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation.

Schedule, Compensation, and BenefitsThis role is overnight, Thursday–Monday, 11pm–7am. This position is permanent and full-time with a salary of $24.52 an hour and is flex shift Benefits include 20 days paid vacation leave; 10 days paid sick leave; 11 paid holidays; and 3 paid personal days; participation in a 401(k); life insurance; medical/health (including visual and dental); transit, health, and dependent care FSA; and pension plan. 

PS1 is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation.

For more information about MoMA PS1 please visit: www.MoMAPS1.org.

Please be advised that due to the high volume of applicants, we are only able to contact those candidates whose skills and background best fit the needs of the open positions. Thank you for your interest in employment opportunities at PS1.