Building Maintenance Technician

Reporting to the Building Operations Manager, the Building Maintenance Technician preserves and maintains The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum (“INFGM”) buildings, systems, and grounds (collectively, the “campus”) to an exceptional standard of care. The successful applicant will possess a broad range of skills and abilities in order to perform repair and maintenance activities related to buildings, warehouses, equipment, utilities, environmental requirements, energy management systems, HVAC equipment, humidity controls, fire protection equipment and safety programs.

Responsibilities

• Understand and maintain all systems pertinent to the campus including, but not limited to, HVAC units, cooling tower, pumps, portable generators, sprinklers, fire alarms, energy management, plumbing, and HVAC controls.

• Troubleshoot, repair, and perform preventative maintenance tasks on typical building systems and equipment.

• Supervise vendor work onsite: provide access, support, and monitor progress of vendors.

• Operate a variety of hand tools, platform lifts, forklifts, voltmeters and other electrical diagnostic equipment as required in compliance with all regulatory requirements.

• Execute repair and maintenance projects including, but not limited to, low-voltage wiring and device installation, rough carpentry, mechanical, plumbing fixture troubleshooting, and painting.

• Ensure that all work areas are clean and organized.

• Ensure exterior areas are clean and in good repair by directly performing repair work or directing others to do so.

• Ensure all exterior surfaces are free of ice and snow by performing snow and ice removal or directing others to do so, this work will require being available and on call during off hours.

• Receive, deliver, move, and organize a wide variety of parts, materials, and supplies.

• Ensure exterior landscaping and grounds are well maintained by directly performing grounds work or directing others to do so.

• Comply with all Museum safety and environmental regulations and protocols and work in a safe manner; implement required safety protocols and procedures.

• Respond quickly and appropriately in the event of an emergency.

• Inspect buildings, equipment and systems to identify and resolve issues; this work includes making recommendations to modify maintenance practices in order to prevent such issues from recurring.

• Assist with meeting compliance requirements for fire protection and building codes, including performing monthly fire extinguisher inspections.

• Assist with the exploration of current and new technologies in an effort to operate and maintain the building systems and equipment in a more efficient manner.

• Load and unload delivery trucks as needed.

• Assist with events and programs, including protection of artwork.

Requirements

• Available to respond to campus needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; must live within reasonable commuting distance (less than one hour) for on-call response.

• High school diploma or equivalent (such as TASC or GED) required.

• Post-secondary education and/or certification in a related field is a plus.

• Passing grade on the Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test.

• Possess or have the ability to obtain FDNY Certificates of Fitness F01, F03, S2, S95

• Excellent problem-solving skills.

• Read blueprints, architectural drawings, mechanical, plumbing and electrical drawings and schematics.

• Familiarity with Building Management Systems and the ability to learn new software platforms quickly.

• Work independently, as well as in a team, with a track record of successful collaboration.

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to respond to requests quickly; prioritize and manage multiple tasks.

• Effectively adapt to various workplace environments.

• Occasional travel, as needed.

• Respect and exemplify INFGM’s mission, vision, and values in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers and the public; represent the Museum in a professional manner at all times.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to move about, operate/use equipment, communicate, and detect/distinguish. The employee is occasionally required to remain in a stationary position, ascend/descend, position oneself, detect/distinguish, and reach. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to distinguish color and adjust focus.

• The employee must frequently move/transport individual loads up to 75 pounds.

• The work environment is frequently indoor climate controlled, near moving mechanical parts, and with risk of electrical shock. The work environment is occasionally indoor, not climate controlled, wet, humid, in high precarious places, with odors, fumes, airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The work environment is frequently outdoor, not climate controlled, subject to various weather conditions, extreme cold (non-weather), extreme heat (non-weather), and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

• The employee shall be fully acquainted with and comply with all INFGM safety policies and procedures.

• Maintain confidentiality of information related to INFGM and employees that may be encountered, either formally or informally, during the normal course of business.

The Building Maintenance Technician is a full-time, in-person position and is located in The Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens. The hours are 5 days a week, Friday through Tuesday, with hours and days adjusted seasonally. The position requires occasional work outside regular hours, including evenings, Wednesdays/Thursdays, holidays, or emergencies as needed. Work is performed throughout the Museum campus, including indoor and outdoor areas, mechanical spaces, galleries, offices, storage areas, and other facilities spaces. The role requires regular movement, use of tools and equipment, and hands-on maintenance work.

This position is represented by the Technical, Office & Professional Union, Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.

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. We strongly encourage applicants from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, life experiences, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply.

About the Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum

• Founded in 1985 by category-defying artist Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988), The Isamu Noguchi Garden Museum (now known as The Noguchi Museum), was the first museum in the United States to be established, designed, and installed by a living artist to show their own work. Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Long Island City, Queens, the Museum itself is widely viewed as among the artist’s greatest achievements. Holding the world’s largest collection of his works, the Museum features open air and indoor galleries in a repurposed 1920s industrial building and a serene outdoor sculpture garden. Since its founding, it has served as an international hub for Noguchi research and appreciation. In addition to managing the artist’s archives and catalogue raisonné, the Museum exhibits a comprehensive selection of Noguchi’s material culture, from sculpture, models, and drawings to his personal possessions. Provocative installations drawn from the permanent collection, together with diverse special exhibitions and collaborations with contemporary practitioners across disciplines, offer a multifaceted view of Noguchi’s art and illuminate his enduring influence as an innovator. Through its rich collection, exhibitions, and programming, the Museum facilitates scholarship and learning for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.