Operations Associate

Department: Operations

Reports to: Director of Operations or Operations Manager

Compensation: $25/hour

Educational/Degree Requirement: None

Exempt or Nonexempt: Non-exempt

Hourly or Salaried: Hourly

Hours Per Week: 10-15 can vary with Event Schedule

Hybrid or On Site: Onsite

Language proficiency: English. Proficiency/familiarity with another language is a plus but not required.

Schedule: Varies. On-call position, work based on ASI event schedule. Hours primarily Friday and Saturday evenings 3:00 pm to 1:00 am.

Who We Are and What We Do

The American Swedish Institute is a gathering place for all people to share experiences around themes of culture, migration, the environment, and the arts, informed by enduring links to Sweden. The American Swedish Institute and the historic Turnblad Mansion have been mainstays for cultural education and engagement in Minneapolis since 1929.

Learn about ASI's Mission, Vision, and Values

Position Summary

The Operations Assistant is responsible for providing logistics coordination at events, specifically, they are responsible for assisting with the set-up, teardowns, and cleaning for activities taking place in the Nelson Cultural Center, Turnblad Mansion, Carriage House, and Outdoor Courtyard. The Operations Assistant will work closely with our in-house catering partner and be the primary liaison with guests to ensure a pleasant event. This position will supervise mansion and guest interactions and steward cleaning of the historic mansion and proper guest use. The Operations Assistant will work as part of the Operations Team and will collaborate across departments in order to provide amazing guest experiences at ASI.

• Responsible for chairs, tables, signs, stanchions, waste receptacles, A/V, and specialty furniture items to be placed pre-event and put away post event.
• Work with Operations Manager to ensure proper set-ups and tear downs of events
• Primary custodial presence at after-hours events. Responsible for cleaning guest spills, garbage, biohazard cleanup. and maintenance style cleaning duties as assigned.
• Provide ASI presence at event rentals and special events to respond to guest needs, vendor support, and general problem solving all while using a positive customer service attitude
• Monitor and supervise visitor interactions in the mansion ensuring that use policies are enforced
• Work closely with on-site catering partners to solve unforeseen problems and last-minute event needs.
• On-site liaison to commercial cleaners upholding ASI’s standard of cleanliness in both public and staff only spaces
• On-site liaison to on-site security contractors to help direct work priorities, answer questions, or find guest solutions
• Interface with guests after hours providing wayfinding, event support, and other customer service-oriented tasks
• Perform historic mansion specialty cleaning, including vacuuming, dusting, mopping, garbage removal, and spill removal in accordance with mansion use policy and Director of Collections
• Provide A/V set-up and ability to trouble shoot A/V issues with guests
• Close mansion at end of day or end of after hour events
• Responsible for closing and arming the building each night after work
• Follow emergency procedures and provide incident reports when appropriate for staff, guests, contractors, and partners
• Maintain a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters good relationships with co-workers, supervisors, members, volunteers, and guests of ASI

Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEIA) are core functions of all positions at ASI. While some roles may have more specific responsibilities, the items below are a part of everyone's role:

• Demonstrate a commitment to DEIA through continuous personal development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias to help cultivate and promote a culture of inclusivity and belonging for all staff.
• Proactively work on your own and collaboratively with other museum staff to ensure equitable and representative experiences for all museum visitors and program participants.

Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Availability to work on a flexible schedule including nights and weekends, primarily Friday and Saturday evenings from 3:00 pm to 1:00 am
• One-year experience customer and guest services
• One-year experience in commercial cleaning or historic property cleaning
• Proficient using Microsoft 365 on both laptop and mobile devices, using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams to manage documents, access calendars, analyze data, and collaborate remotely
• Ability to organize work, set priorities and manage multiple tasks on deadline
• Collaborative individual with ability to work effectively across departments and with key team members to ensure successful programs and events
• Ability to use reasonable judgment when working with the public
• Must be punctual, reliable, with a strong work ethic.
• Ability to move and set up tables, chairs, specialty furniture, A/V, and sound system equipment
• Ability to lift/move up to 40 pounds often. 50 pounds occasionally
• Ability to climb ladders occasionally for set up needs
• Ability to relate and work effectively with people of diverse cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds
• Bloodborne pathogen, PPE and Hazmat Communication certified, preferred or willing to become certified.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs and ladders; read, talk and hear. The employee must possess strength and agility to often move furniture and chairs up to 40 lbs. and lift or move supplies often, up to 20 pounds.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.

ASI provides equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, familial status, sex, gender identity and/or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.