Museum Housekeeper

Applications Accepted on an Ongoing Basis

The Oberlin Heritage Center is a not-for-profit community organization whose mission is “to preserve and share Oberlin’s unique heritage and to make our community a better place to live, learn, work, and visit.” The organization offers tours of its museum complex and sponsors public programs throughout the year.

The organization seeks a part-time, six-hour per week Museum Housekeeper. A work schedule, to be set during the museum’s day-time open hours, will be determined by the employee in cooperation with the Executive Director and Collections Manager.

Position Summary
The Museum Housekeeper works with other staff members and volunteers in cleaning and caring for the artifacts and interiors of the historic buildings at the Oberlin Heritage Center in accordance with accepted museum practices and standards for historic house museums.

Duties may include but are not limited to:
Weekly Cleaning: As we have two complete houses to maintain, each house is cleaned every other week. Standard cleaning methods and, in general, products are used on the bathrooms, the offices and the basement. Furnishings, floors, walls and woodwork in the interpreted museum rooms of both houses are cleaned using best museum practices and products and according to the schedule laid out in the Housekeeping Record Book. Training in museum cleaning best practices is provided. Regular cleaning includes dusting floors, vacuuming carpets, dusting all furnishings and artifacts, washing the bathrooms and kitchen thoroughly and emptying the wastebaskets as needed. The Monroe House basement is vacuumed every other week and dusted once a month.

Periodic Cleaning: As per the prescribed schedule, upholstered furnishings are vacuumed once a year and hanging light fixtures are dusted twice a year. Walls are dusted or vacuumed once a year and windows washed once a year. The schoolhouse is thoroughly cleaned twice a year.

Recordkeeping: The Housekeeping Record Book for each house is filled out each time cleaning is done, and changes of condition or problems noted for intervention by the appropriate staff member.

Supplies and Equipment Care: Filters in the two Filter Queen HEPA vacuum cleaners are replaced monthly and the Collections Manager is informed when filters are running low in sufficient time for them to be replaced. Archival dust cloths are supplied by the Collections Manager and are washed by the Museum Housekeeper as needed. The Museum Housekeeper also keeps track of standard cleaning supplies and bathroom paper products and is responsible for replenishing them as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

The position requires the candidate to:
Work within stated mission boundaries.
Work independently under the direction of the Collections Manager and Executive Director.
Work well with other staff members, interns, and volunteers.
Be eager to contribute to a team effort and be careful, flexible, patient, positive, and tactful.
Be willing to learn and adhere to accepted museum practices and historic housekeeping techniques.
Climb stairs frequently due to layout of historic building.
Lift a 25 pound vacuum cleaner up and down stairs.
Pay attention to detail.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Training & Experience:
Previous cleaning experience, particularly in a museum setting, is helpful.
Interest in museums and history.
Organizational skills and ability to be productive despite interruptions.
Able to get along well with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Positive, upbeat attitude in representing the organization to our community and visitors.

Hours and Compensation:

6 hours a week, schedule to be determined by employee in cooperation with the Executive Director and Collections Manager.

Compensation: $13.50/hour.

To apply, submit an application to history@oberlinheritage.org with the subject line “OHC Housekeeper.” Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.