Caretaker

The Buffalo History Museum; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 22,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

The Buffalo History Museum is seeking a part-time Caretaker to help keep the venue safe, welcoming, and ready for visitors, programs, and events. This hands-on role emphasizes reliability, initiative, and the ability to work independently.

Responsibilities include opening/closing, monitoring the facilities, cleaning, and assisting with event setup while maintaining communication with the team. Prior related experience is helpful, but training is available.

Qualifications

• Trustworthy and dependable – follow through on tasks.
• A self-starter – takes initiative and acts without prompting.
• A strong communicator – informs teammates and speaks up when needed.
• Hardworking and adaptable – can juggle priorities in a changing schedule.
• A team player – collaborates well with others.
• Welcoming to guests – friendly and helpful in a visitor-facing role.

Responsibilities

• Open and close the Museum and monitor the building and grounds.
• Keep the Museum clean and ready for events and visitors.
• Respond to unexpected situations and communicate needs to the team.
• Assist with maintenance tasks and event setup as needed.
• Maintain a safe, welcoming environment for guests and staff.

Skills

Trustworthy

Self-starter

Strong communicator

Hardworking

Team player

Welcoming to guests

Job description

About The Role

As a Caretaker, you'll play an important role in keeping The Buffalo History Museum safe, welcoming, and ready for visitors, programs, and events. This is a hands-on position for someone who is dependable, takes pride in their work, and can be trusted to work independently.

Caretakers have an important level of responsibility, including opening and closing the Museum, monitoring the buildings and grounds, keeping the Museum clean and ready for events, responding to unexpected situations, and communicating with the team about anything that needs attention. No specialized maintenance experience is required-we're looking for someone with a great work ethic, good judgment, and a willingness to learn.

What We're Looking For

• Trustworthy and dependable – others can count on you to follow through.
• A self-starter – you notice what needs to be done and take initiative.
• A strong communicator – you keep coworkers informed and speak up when something needs attention.
• Hardworking and adaptable – you can juggle priorities and adjust when plans change.
• A team player – you contribute positively and work well with others.
• Welcoming to guests – you can be friendly and helpful while going about your work.

Prior experience in cleaning, maintenance, or event set-up is helpful, but we're willing to train the right person.

A Typical Shift

No two shifts are exactly alike. You might start by walking the Museum and making sure everything is ready before visitors arrive, then move on to cleaning and restocking, preparing a room for an event, helping with a maintenance project, or responding to an unexpected issue. Throughout your shift, you'll be trusted to keep an eye on the Museum, identify what needs attention, and communicate with the team. Whether you're preparing a space for 100 guests, greeting a visitor while cleaning, or making sure the building is secure at the end of the night, your work helps keep the Museum running smoothly.

Schedule

Part-time (25-30 hours per week); schedule may include days, evenings, weekends, and occasional nights based on the Museum's program and rental schedule.

Compensation

If you're dependable, hardworking, resourceful, and take pride in a job well done, we'd love to hear from you. Salary: $16.00 - $17.00 per hour