Cleaner

National Geographic Society; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Wellness program

401(k) with matching contributions

Flexible paid time off (up to 22 days)

12 paid holidays

Parental leave and surrogacy expenseRe

Learning and development opportunities

Life insurance and disability benefits

Transportation benefits

Job summary

National Geographic Society is seeking a Custodian for Base Camp, supporting daily cleaning, event setup, and public-facing services at our Washington, DC campus. The role requires proactive, reliable team players capable of working a flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed for year-round operations.

Responsibilities include cleaning tasks, restroom restocking, safety-focused exterior upkeep, and collaboration with multiple departments to ensure a pristine

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of custodial, janitorial, or cleaning experience; museum setting preferred.
• Knowledge of standard cleaning methods, chemicals, materials, and janitorial equipment.
• Ability to lift, bend, and stand for extended periods; flexible schedule including evenings/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Performs cleaning tasks: sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, and washing floors and surfaces inside buildings.
• Operates floor care equipment: buffers and shampoo machines.
• Vacuum and spot clean carpets and dust furniture, exhibits, and public areas.
• Restocks restroom supplies daily and reports maintenance issues to supervisor.
• Maintains exterior areas, handles snow/ice removal for safety, and supports event setup/breakdown.

Skills

Cleaning methods

Cleaning equipment

Physical stamina

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Reliability

Flexibility

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Commercial vacuums

Floor buffers

Carpet shampooers

Job description

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (called Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. The public-facing portion of this renovation will be the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration. Components of the new museum will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard. The Campus and Experiences team is responsible for creating amazing brand experiences for live audiences and delivering excellent service and operations at NGS headquarters. The team is currently focused on the Base Camp renovation project, including all construction, content and design, revenue and operations planning, and overall budget and schedule management. They also produce and generate revenue through National Geographic Live and National Geographic’s Traveling Exhibitions programs. The Campus & Experiences Division is seeking a reliable, versatile, and proactive Custodian to provide support to the Custodial Manager and Custodial Supervisor(s) to perform a variety of duties for the National Geographic Society and various tenants. This role will ensure our facility operates smoothly, cleanly, and safely. This role is a critical component of our facilities team, combining expert janitorial services with essential operational support. Key responsibilities include daily and routine or project-based cleaning, seasonal duties, setup and teardown for facility events, assistance with office relocations, and daily porter services to maintain continuous facility function. Flexibility, a can-do attitude, and a proactive approach to facility upkeep are essential. We are seeking a team member who values interoperability and is ready to jump in and support colleagues across different projects when needed. At the Museum of Exploration, we believe that our greatest successes come from shared expertise and a willingness to step outside of a single role. This isn't just a part of the job; it's a core aspect of how we operate and collaborate, reflecting the spirit of partnership that defines National Geographic's culture. This position is considered essential. Essential employees are required to report to and remain at work during emergencies. This role requires flexibility to work various shifts, which may include weekends, holidays, early mornings, or late evenings to support our year-round operations and event schedules.

How You’ll Contribute

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

• Performs a wide range of cleaning tasks, including sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, and washing floors and other surfaces inside buildings.
• Operates light and heavy commercial-type floor care equipment, such as buffers and shampoo machines.
• Vacuum and spot cleans carpets and rugs in offices, exhibits, and public areas.
• Cleans and dusts furniture, exhibit cases, pictures, chairs, door trim, light fixtures, and all other horizontal surfaces.
• Washes windowsills and interior glass in doors and partitions to maintain a pristine appearance.

• Thoroughly cleans and sanitizes all restrooms, including tile walls, shelves, and stall partitions.
• Restocks all restroom supplies daily, including soap, paper towels, and toilet paper, ensuring dispensers are full and functional.
• Monitors restrooms and public spaces for maintenance issues, such as clogged drains or burned-out lights, and promptly reports them to the supervisor.

• Maintains cleanliness of immediate exterior areas, including entrances and walkways, by sweeping debris and removing trash from exterior receptacles.
• Performs seasonal duties such as snow and ice removal from sidewalks, steps, and entrances using hand tools and chemical de-icing agents to ensure safe passage for staff and visitors.

• Collects and removes building trash, recycling, and compost daily, placing materials in designated containers for removal in accordance with NGS sustainability protocols.
• Replaces liners in all waste baskets and trash containers.

• Provides logistical support for special events as needed, including setup and breakdown of furniture and equipment.
• Maintains a professional and helpful presence in public-facing areas, proactively assisting visitors who may need guidance or assistance.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues across departments to ensure seamless operations and a positive visitor experience.

What You’ll Bring

Minimum Education Required

High School diploma or equivalent preferred

Minimum Years And Type Of Experience

A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in custodial, janitorial, or commercial cleaning services is highly desirable. Proven working experience in a museum, cultural institution, or other high-traffic public-facing organization is highly desirable.

Knowledge And Skills Required

• Knowledge of standard cleaning methods, chemicals, materials, and janitorial equipment.
• Ability to safely and effectively operate cleaning equipment, including commercial vacuums (backpack style), floor buffers, and carpet shampooers.
• Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting, bending, and standing for extended periods, in various weather conditions.
• Able to take direction, work with minimal supervision, and function cooperatively as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail with a pride in delivering excellent service.
• Must be reliable, thorough, observant, organized, flexible, and courteous.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including any day of the week, holidays, and early morning or late evening shifts for special events.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Support various teams as needed, providing cross-trained coverage for breaks, absences, or high volume. Assist with general museum tasks such as maintaining public spaces, providing basic visitor assistance, and helping with event setup/breakdown.

Supervision

No direct reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The hourly rate for this position is $20.65. Employees in positions who are assigned to a shift that starts or ends between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. are entitled to shift differential pay of 10% of base pay for the hours worked between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Engaging and comprehensive wellness program
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment
• Flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year)
• 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.)
• Paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits
• Learning and development opportunities
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Pet adoption assistance and insurance
• Pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy
• Employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit
• A variety of National Geographic discounts and perks

Job Designation

On-Site - Staff members who spend 100% of work time on-site at Base Camp, supporting overall campus and museum operations. On-Site staff shifts (spread over seven days a week and 24 hours a day, including holidays) are scheduled by their supervisors and determined by team needs and may be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles and ebbs and flows of work throughout the year.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.