Museum Facility Coordinator

Newsweb LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Newsweb LLC is seeking a Museum Facility Coordinator to oversee the operational environment of a 30,000 sq ft museum space and collaborate on adjacent properties. The role reports to the Operations Director and coordinates hands-on building operations.

You'll manage building systems, supervise contractors, and support installation strategies with the exhibition team, ensuring safety, conservation, and visitor-focused environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a field related to building operations or construction.
• Minimum 5+ years in building and construction.
• Understanding of mechanical systems, BAS programming, and building regulations.

Responsibilities

• Assist in documenting, coordinating, and operating building maintenance and projects.
• Observe and supervise updates to HVAC, plumbing, lighting, and ventilation.
• Maintain as-built plans and digital documentation for accuracy.
• Direct contractors to ensure compliance with codes and safety rules.
• Coordinate project scopes, cost estimates, and construction budgets.
• Procure trades and materials for in-house construction projects.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and energy performance guidelines.
• Oversee installation of HVAC, electrical, and fire protection systems.
• Schedule preventative maintenance and inspections of safety systems.
• Collaborate with exhibition team and housekeeping to maintain spaces.

Skills

Communication skills

Project coordination

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field

Engineering certification or building construction experience

Tools

Metasys

Tridium

Alerton

Microsoft Office

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

SketchUp

Job description

Seeking a Museum Facility Coordinator to join the committed team. The position reports to the Operations Director and is collaboratively responsible for the operational environment of the 30,000 square foot world class, museum exhibition space and future collaboration on contiguous properties.

The pivotal coordinating role will include facility and operational responsibilities including hands‑on observations, management, and maintenance. The role is critical in also supporting improvements to vital building systems including mechanical, plumbing, electrical, lighting and audio‑visual component upgrades as part of general museum support operations.

The MFC role closely collaborates with the exhibition team in the development and implementation of exhibition installation strategies and follow‑up building system integration. Visual acuity and critical observation are required for integration of exhibition experience and building conservation.

The position is jointly responsible for on‑going stewardship of a building environment which provides a contemplative and supportive experience for the visiting public and guests. Daily collaboration with the OD and the exhibition team is to be anticipated through multiple means of communication, documentation, and full‑time in‑person engagement.

General Description

• Assist in documentation, coordination and hands‑on operations to support building maintenance, inspections, internal projects, exhibition related projects, and overall building conservation efforts.
• Observe, calibrate and supervise specified updates for the heating, plumbing, lighting and ventilation systems to be effective and safe.
• Maintain and coordinate as‑built building plans, digital documentation and prints for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
• Direct contractors to ensure compliance with building standards and specifications, and conformance with federal, state and local health and life safety rules and regulations.
• Facilitate the organizational requirements, service implementation and efficient operations of coordinated building systems.
• Assist in solicitation and evaluation of project scope, cost estimates and construction budgets.
• Research and procurement of trades, resources, materials, components and support services for in‑house construction projects.
• Ensure building operations comply with governmental regulations, building codes, facility loan agreements and energy performance guidelines.
• Assist in installation oversight of HVAC, electrical, structural and fire protection systems.
• Schedule and follow‑up preventative maintenance contracts, inspections of fire alert systems, lightning protection and life safety elements to maintain operational performance specifications.
• Clarify and update building documentation as‑builts, systems components and performance features as required in preventative maintenance agreements.
• Compile and organize project material documentation and verification of building code standards for all material assemblies and finishes.
• Work with housekeeping staff to ensure daily building conditions are in order and maintained according to house and museum standards.

Requirements

Professional development and preparation

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education and/or professional trade certification, engineer’s certification and building construction experience.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in the building and construction industry.
• Clear understanding of building principles, mechanical systems and BAS programming.
• Current knowledge of building industry regulations, technology, codes and regulations.

Leadership and Communication skills

• Excellent skills for communicating on multiple professional levels including building trades, exhibition teams and management.
• Maintain a professional demeanor in professional and community situations.
• Provide collaborative exhibition support through building services and trade coordination.

Strategic Project Development

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to support the building mechanics and environment.
• Understanding of physical properties of materials and basic engineering concepts.
• Working knowledge of building principles, systems and materials.
• Collaborative sense of project development and a refined sense of workmanship.

Maintenance

• Skills commensurate with the conservation of a museum‑level building environment.
• Hands‑on ability to creatively expedite operational solutions to building and exhibit requirements.
• Provide critical coordination and support for exhibiting curators, artists and architects.
• Operate indoor and outdoor maintenance equipment and hand and power tools.
• Sustain daily on‑foot work related activities, temporary work in unheated and/or uncooled environments, and physical ability to lift and carry at least forty pounds of materials.

Computer

• Possess digital navigation skills capable of utilizing browser‑based applications (ie. zoom, dropbox, basecamp, etc.) and familiarity with building management software applications (ie. Metasys, Tridium, Alerton, etc.).
• Utilize word processing and spreadsheet composition programs (i.e. Microsoft Office Suite).
• Drawing documentation and illustration software knowledge required for building project development and communication (i.e. Adobe Suite, Sketch‑Up, Bluebeam, Autocad, etc.).

Highly competitive pay $70k-$85k commensurate with the level of experience and responsibilities accepted. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, retirement savings plan and paid time off (vacation days and sick days). The position does not include remote working opportunities.

We are an equal opportunity employer with a progressive, LGBTQ‑friendly environment looking for someone who is inspired to join a fiercely dedicated and highly committed team.