Museum Maintainer—Carpentry

Brooklyn Museum; New York (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Generous paid time off

Discount for staff in Museum shops

Free admission to NYC museums

Job summary

The Brooklyn Museum seeks a Museum Maintainer for its Carpentry shop. This skilled trade role involves maintaining, repairing, and fabricating components for the Museum's operations.

Responsibilities include performing carpentry, supporting exhibitions, and ensuring a safe working environment. Qualified candidates have at least three years of full-time experience in carpentry or cabinet making, and must demonstrate knowledge of woodworking, blueprints, and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Three years of full-time experience as a carpenter or cabinet maker.
• Knowledge of woodworking and building maintenance.
• Ability to work from drawings and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Perform skilled carpentry under supervision.
• Assist with maintenance, repair, and installation tasks.
• Maintain high workmanship standards and protect Museum property.

Skills

Carpentry

Cabinetmaking

Woodworking

Blueprint reading

Hand tools

Power tools

Safety practices

Tools

Pneumatic nailers

Scaffolds

Job description

The Brooklyn Museum is a world-renowned cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing art, history, and heritage. Our mission is to bring people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act. Our vision is to serve as an institution where art is a powerful force for personal transformation and social change. Celebrating our differences and learning about our diverse communities through our collections, exhibitions, and programming is the core of who we are and what we do.

We are committed to creating and cultivating a community of talented, passionate people who are inspired to make the Museum an important hub of community activity and a great global destination. Our staff have the opportunity to grow their professional skills and work collaboratively with colleagues they admire and respect. Read more about our story here .

About the role

The Museum Maintainer for Carpentry shop is a skilled trade position responsible for maintaining, repairing, fabricating, and installing building, gallery, exhibition, office, and furniture components that support the Museum’s operations and presentation standards. Working under the supervision of the Carpentry Supervisor or assigned supervisor, the role uses drawings, specifications, measurements, and field judgment to complete high-quality carpentry and cabinetmaking work safely and accurately. This position directly supports exhibition readiness, facility reliability, visitor and staff safety, and the protection of Museum buildings, collections, finishes, and public spaces. Core responsibilities include skilled carpentry, exhibition and gallery support, building repairs, safe tool and equipment use, work-area protection, housekeeping, and emergency support when assigned. The role requires the ability to meet operational needs through overtime, weekend, or adjusted schedules when required.

Responsibilities:

• Perform skilled carpentry, cabinetmaking, and general building maintenance work under the supervision of the Carpentry Supervisor or assigned supervisor.
• Assist with the maintenance, repair, fabrication, installation, and removal of Museum building elements, exhibit structures, gallery components, office fixtures, furniture, and related woodwork.
• Construct, repair, and install frames, pedestals, cases, vitrines, platforms, partitions, walls, ceilings, doors, floors, locks, windows, office furniture, exhibition furnishings, and other items required for galleries, exhibitions, grounds, offices, and support spaces.
• Work from drawings, specifications, measurements, and supervisor direction to complete assigned carpentry and fabrication tasks accurately and safely.
• Assist with general maintenance and repair work, including support to other facilities staff or handyman functions, when the work is consistent with the carpentry title and operational needs.
• Maintain high standards of workmanship, finish quality, alignment, fit, and appearance in all assigned work.
• Perform work in a manner that protects Museum buildings, collections, finishes, equipment, staff, visitors, and public areas.
• Use appropriate work-area protection, dust control, housekeeping, and safe material handling practices during installation, repair, and fabrication work.
• Maintain equipment rooms, shop areas, and related support spaces in a clean, orderly, and safe condition, ensuring required access is preserved, unauthorized storage is prevented, and all areas remain compliant with applicable safety, fire-life-safety, and operational requirements.
• Operate hand tools, power tools, and related carpentry equipment safely and in accordance with established procedures.
• Wear required safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE)appropriate tothe task being performed
• Respond when required to support emergency conditions, protect Museum property, and assist with temporary repairs or protective measures as directed when the work is consistent with the carpentry title.
• Work overtime, weekends, or adjusted schedules as needed to support exhibitions, emergencies, operational deadlines, and Museum needs.

Requirements:

• Three (3) years full-time paid experience as a carpenter/cabinet maker.
• Knowledge of woodworking, construction and related building maintenance including use of hand and power tools or experienced with wood working machinery as well as hand tools, including pneumatic nailers and staplers, knowledge of blueprints reading and safe work practices.
• Ability to work from drawing and specs to build cases, pedestals, and other items required for Museum exhibits, galleries, buildings and ground.
• Knowledge of door hardware installation, repair and glazing.
• Must be able to work safely from high ladders and scaffolds and handle all kinds of construction tools and materials.
• Ability to lift and transport heavy parts or equipment, up to 100 pounds.
• Osha 30-hour training for construction industry.

Department: Museum Operations

Reports to: Director of Facilities

Union status: Union DC37 Local 1502

FLSA status: Non-Exempt

Position type: Full-time

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8 am–4:30 pm. This position is subject to occasional overtime and weekend hours.

The Museum provides competitive compensation along with generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees.Individualbenefit offerings may vary based on position type and union status.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan and Pension Plan
• Generous paid time off, including annual vacation leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) & Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for eligible pre-tax health care, dependent care, and commuter expenses
• Employee Assistant Program
• Free admission to various NYC museums and cultural institutions
• Early access to Museum exhibitions
• Invitations to staff-only programs, tours, and on-site engagement events
• Opportunities to participate in community initiatives and Museum programs
• 40% discount for staff in Museum shops
• All positions are based in Brooklyn, New York, with some eligible for a hybrid work schedule (three days on-site / two days remote)

Apply Today

We recognize that it’s unlikely that any candidate will meet 100% of the desired qualifications for a role. If much of this job description resonates with you, we strongly encourage you to apply today. We’re committed to welcoming candidates with a wide range of experiences and perspectives – especially those who see themselves contributing to our mission to bring people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act.