Facilities Manager

Overview

The USS Constitution Museum is seeking a Facilities Manager to manage and maintain the facility. This is a full-time exempt, 5 day per week position typically including one weekend day.

The Facilities Manager is responsible for the daily maintenance, safe operation, and ongoing care of the Museum’s facility, supporting staff, visitors, exhibitions, and collections. This is a highly hands-on role requiring strong collaboration with a variety of Museum teams, mechanical aptitude, problem-solving skills, and comfort working across a wide range of building systems and tools.

The Facilities Manager oversees building systems and contractors, assists with exhibit maintenance and installation, supports a museum-quality environment, and plays a key role in keeping the Museum functional, safe, and welcoming. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing outsourced services.

The position balances independent daily work with collaboration across departments and with external vendors.

About the Museum

At the USS Constitution Museum, we embrace our mission to engage all ages in the story of “Old Ironsides” to spark excitement about maritime heritage, naval service, and the American experience.

We provide a hands-on, minds-on environment where inter-generational groups seeking an enjoyable, educational experience can have fun and learn as they explore history together. This approach ensures that the stories of USS Constitution and those who shaped her history are never forgotten, always remain relevant, and inspire as many people as possible.

Core Responsibilities

Facility Maintenance & Building Operations:

• Maintain and monitor all major building systems, including HVAC, humidification, sump pumps, plumbing, electrical systems, water filtration systems, and public restrooms.
• Conduct daily walkthroughs of the facility to identify maintenance needs and proactively address issues.
• Perform hands-on maintenance and minor repairs, including light carpentry, exhibit repair, painting, and basic mechanical or electrical work.
• Maintain a museum-quality environment, including monitoring temperature and humidity levels to support collections and exhibitions.
• Change HVAC filters and complete routine preventative maintenance tasks on a regular schedule.

Contractor & Vendor Oversight:

• Supervise and coordinate external contractors and service providers, including HVAC, cleaning, and specialty trades.
• Assist in supervising cleaning staff and ensuring consistent quality standards.
• Manage service contracts and communicate with vendors regarding scheduling, scope of work, and follow-up.
• Maintain organized, non-financial building records related to systems, warranties, inspections, and maintenance history.

Exhibits & Museum Operations Support:

• Assist with exhibit installation, maintenance, and repair, including light carpentry and fabrication work as needed.
• Use a variety of tools and equipment (e.g., table saw, soldering iron, hand tools, power tools, computer systems) safely and effectively.
• Support event and program needs related to facilities, including occasional setup and breakdown.

Safety, Organization & Systems:

• Follow and support safe shop practices and general workplace safety standards.
• Learn and adapt to new tools, technologies, and building systems as they are introduced.
• Attend facilities-related meetings and communicate clearly with staff, contractors, and supervisors regarding building needs and priorities.
• Maintain organized records and documentation related to facilities operations.

Qualifications

Required:

• Demonstrated experience in facilities maintenance, building operations, or a related hands-on technical field.
• Ability to collaborate with various Museum teams.
• Ability to manage budgets and contracts.
• Strong carpentry skills and comfort using shop tools and hand/power tools.
• Working knowledge of HVAC systems and other mechanical building systems.
• Familiarity with technology, electronics, and basic troubleshooting.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently, identify priorities, and take initiative.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Willingness and ability to learn new systems and tools.

Preferred:

• Experience working in a museum, cultural institution, school, or nonprofit environment.
• Familiarity with maintaining museum-quality environmental conditions.
• Mechanical curiosity and interest in how systems work.
• Experience supervising cleaning staff or contractors.

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to lift and move equipment and materials associated with facilities and exhibit work.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb ladders, and use tools throughout the facility.
• Combination of active, physical work and administrative recordkeeping.
• Ability to work fully onsite.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Museum is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.