Shipboard Maintenance Technician

Shipboard Maintenance Technician

As a member of the Preservation and Maintenance Team within the Education Department, the Shipboard Maintenance Technician is responsible for helping ensure that the museum's two historic ships are clean, presentable, safe, and well-maintained for the visiting public.

Working under the direction of the Shipboard Preservation and Maintenance Manager, the Technician performs regular housekeeping, cleaning, and maintenance tasks aboard the historic ships. The Technician will also assist the Manager in completing routine maintenance and carrying out a regular cycle of planned and preventative maintenance tasks.

The Shipboard Maintenance Technician works collaboratively with other museum staff to maintain a high standard of stewardship and provide an excellent guest experience aboard USS Olympia and USS Becuna.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of formal education. Interest in or experience with naval and maritime history is a plus.
• Have at least one year of prior experience performing general maintenance tasks, including painting and routine facility upkeep.
• Ability to safely and accurately use a variety of hand and power tools used in facility and ship maintenance and repair.
• Ability to follow established safety procedures
• Comfortable working at heights, in confined spaces, and on or around the water.
• Comfortable working around potentially hazardous materials while using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team while demonstrating initiative and sound judgment.
• Ability to effectively organize, categorize, and store materials and supplies used for maintenance tasks
• Ability to follow procedures for reporting, documenting, and completing assigned tasks and scheduled maintenance.
• Ability to lift and move heavy objects, navigate small and confined spaces aboard the ships, and climb steep stairs and ladders.
• Strong communication skills.
• Willingness to learn historic preservation standards and procedures.
• Experience or familiarity with curatorial practices, artifact care, historic site maintenance, or interpretation is a plus.
• Ability to respond to major operational emergencies on days off when necessary, including flooding, line maintenance, contractor assistance, and other shipboard emergencies.
• Willingness to undertake additional shipboard duties and special projects as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the ability to:

• Lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Navigate steep stairs, ladders, narrow passageways, and tight compartments aboard historic ships.
• Work at heights and in confined spaces.
• Work on and around water, including moving between vessels and working aboard boats, barges, or floats.
• Perform physically active cleaning, and maintenance, tasks throughout the workday.

Responsibilities:

• Perform routine cleaning, housekeeping, maintenance tasks aboard the museum's historic ships.
• Conduct regular shipboard cleaning and care, including sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and other assigned housekeeping duties.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks, including painting, minor repairs, machine and equipment cleaning, damage control activities, and general ship upkeep.
• Assist with snow and ice removal, safety patrols, and other seasonal or operational maintenance needs.
• Safely handle artifacts and assist with artifact care and preservation activities in accordance with established Independence Seaport Museum procedures and preservation standards.
• Participate in planned, preventative, and routine maintenance programs while assisting with emergent repairs and operational needs as they arise.
• Safely lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds and safely handle ladders, staging, tools, equipment, and maintenance materials.
• Work safely at heights and in confined spaces while following established safety procedures and using required PPE.
• Assist with event setup, breakdown, and cleanup, including moving equipment and materials as needed.
• Assist with routine administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities, including documenting annual system checks, maintaining Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in coordination with the Manager, and completing maintenance work records.
• Follow all applicable Independence Seaport Museum safety procedures and properly use required PPE appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Assist the Manager with basic ship care activities, including line handling, working between the ships, and performing work aboard boats, barges, and floats.
• Interact professionally and effectively with outside contractors as needed.
• Provide information to the public consistent with the museum's mission and interpretation of the historic ships.
• Assist with emergency response and operational needs, including flooding, line maintenance, contractor access, and other shipboard emergencies.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

The Independence Seaport Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity, inclusion, and equity as matters of fairness and effectiveness. We are committed to hiring and retaining a staff that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, fostering an inclusive working environment where staff of all backgrounds feel welcomed and engaged in our mission. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.