Historic Housekeeper

American Swedish Institute; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A cultural institution in Minneapolis seeks a Historic Housekeeper for its historic mansion. The role involves daily cleaning and maintenance activities to ensure the mansion is ready for public use. Ideal candidates will have experience with historic preservation and a commitment to detail.

Qualifications

• Experience in cleaning/maintaining historic homes or art conservation.
• Ability to work onsite only.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Assist with cleaning historic Turnblad Mansion.
• Perform maintenance tasks including changing lightbulbs and touch-up painting.
• Monitor and report issues like damage or spills.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Experience cleaning and maintaining historic homes

Computer literacy (word processing and spreadsheets)

Job description

Division/Department: Experience Department, Collections Team
Reports to: Director of Collections
Compensation: $20/hour
Educational Requirement: None
Exempt or Nonexempt: Non-Exempt
Hourly or Salaried: Hourly
Hours Per Week: Varies. 8-16 hours per week.
Hybrid or On Site: On-site only
Language proficiency: English. Proficiency/familiarity with another language is a plus but not required.
Schedule: Monday 9am – 2pm are required, other days and times vary but will be Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO:

The American Swedish Institute (ASI) 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.

OUR VALUES:

Stewardship – We embrace the legacy of stewardship given to us in the Turnblad Mansion, Nelson Cultural Center, and our collections.

Hospitality – We invest in our role as a welcoming and joyful place for all people and foster authentic relationships with communities local, national, and international.

Learning – We offer transformational, varied learning experiences by providing platforms for reflection, participation, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas.

Difference – We honor variation and interconnections among cultures and histories, engaging with the complexities, creativity, and consequences of their interactions.

Innovation – We create innovative programs, collaborations, and experiences that embrace beautiful design and encourage new ways of thinking.

Sustainability – We embody our social and environmental responsibilities through programs, facilities, and operations that sustain the well-being of our organization, communities, and the natural world.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The American Swedish Institute 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.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Historic Housekeeper will work with the Collections Team to care for the historic Turnblad Mansion. Under the supervision of the Director of Collections, the Historic Housekeeper will undertake both generalized and detailed cleaning of historic surfaces as well as work with the Collections Team to ensure the Turnblad Mansion is ready for daily use by the public. All work performed will take place in person at the American Swedish Institute.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with the cleaning of the historic Turnblad Mansion, to ensure it is ready for public use. This includes but is not limited to dusting, vacuuming, and mopping floors.
• Assist in specialized cleaning and conservation of historic surfaces and furniture, including exhibition objects and components in the space, as needed.
• Responsible for upkeep and organization of mansion workspaces and storage rooms.
• Perform general maintenance tasks including but not limited to changing lightbulbs, touch up painting, and ironing curtains.
• Monitor the condition of the mansion, promptly identifying and reporting any issues such as damage, spills, or leaks.
• Along with the Collections Team, develop and maintain relationships with volunteers working on the historic properties and collections.

Other duties as needed or required

• Perform other duties as needed or required which are within the scope of the position.

Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion

Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) are core functions of all positions at the American Swedish Institute. While some roles may have more specific responsibilities, the items below are a part of everyone’s responsibilities:

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

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience cleaning and maintaining historic homes, art conservation, collections management, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Computer literacy, specifically in word processing and spreadsheets, is preferred.
• Ability to work onsite only.
• Good organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently after initial training
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, manipulate tools or controls; reach and lift cleaning equipment with hands and arms; climb stairs and ladders; bend and kneel, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move objects, furniture, and supplies, up to 20-30 pounds often, 40-50 pounds occasionally.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the staff member assigned to this position. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.