Launch the Legacy: Founding Staff Roles

Step into history as a founding staff member of the Obama Presidential Center’s (OPC) opening team. As a founding staff member, you will not only help launch a global destination but also have the unique opportunity to define the Obama Presidential Center's earliest culture and operational excellence. This is your chance to contribute to a lasting legacy, ensuring the OPC is a powerful tribute to what happens when communities unite to achieve greatness.

The early days of the OPC will be defined by rapid evolution and growth. While the mission is clear, many of the day-to-day procedures and workflows will need to be tested and adjusted. This demands that you embrace ambiguity and step up with a high degree of ownership and self-direction. For those energized by the chance to build and ultimately define best practices, this challenge is the greatest reward.

Purpose of the Role

The Custodian, Obama Presidential Center, will be responsible for executing both routine and specialized cleaning plans for the facility and surrounding campus to ensure the safety and well-being of all guests and staff. During each shift, the Custodian will wear a uniform provided by the Obama Presidential Center. This position will be assigned a designated coverage area, though assignments may change based on campus needs and shift requirements.

As a Custodian for the Obama Presidential Center, you will be reporting directly to a Custodial Team Lead, who will also provide day-to-day support.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Ensure Obama Presidential Center public spaces uphold cleanliness and sanitation standards as a direct representation of the Center’s mission.

• Actively protect upkeep of Obama Presidential Center grounds and surfaces within assigned campus area, including floors, counters, walls, and high-touch surfaces.

• Utilize the work order system to efficiently carry out cleaning schedules, receive real-time alerts for urgent cleaning tasks, manage inventory, and equipment status; ensuring complete transparency and accountability.

• Respond promptly to custodial emergencies (e.g., spills.), minimizing disruption to museum operations and visitor experiences.

• Uphold industry standards and operating procedures for safe work environments, including OSHA compliance while maintaining professional interaction with staff and visitors.

• Contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment for Obama Presidential Center guests.

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Sanitize all assigned public and staff spaces; including but not limited to museum exhibits, classrooms, programming rooms, performance spaces, and presidential rooms. Ensure that practices adhere to APPA Level 1 cleanliness standards and sanitation practices as well as the Center’s mission and sustainability practices.

• Clean and maintain restrooms and other facilities within the assigned campus area, ensuring restocking of supplies and timely waste disposal, while adhering to the museum's sustainability guidelines.

• Assist in the setup and breakdown of special events, ensuring custodial and sanitation duties are completed efficiently.

• Perform routine checks on custodial equipment, promptly reporting damages or malfunctions to supervisors for repair or replacement.

• Participate in ongoing training and certification programs to continuously improve cleaning techniques, safety protocols, and sustainability practices, ensuring alignment with the Center’s goals for health, safety, and environmental stewardship.

• Utilize digital work order and asset management systems to manage tasks, track inventory, and complete assignments efficiently and on time.

• Replace or replenish supplies across public spaces including restrooms and refuse receptacles.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to stand and walk on foot for extended periods of time.

• Able to work independently and as part of a team, addressing problems appropriately and elevating to team leads as needed.

• Experience or interest in facility maintenance, particularly at a cultural institution, university, or hotel.

• Commitment to the Obama Presidential Center mission and an inclusive environment.

• Flexibility of hours including but not limited to early morning, late night, weekends, and holidays across campus in both indoor and outdoor environments.

• Ability to work out of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park and/or other Obama Foundation locations in Chicago.

The pay rate for this role is $20.50/hour.

This is a full-time, in-person role based at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.

We are deeply committed to creating an actively anti-racist organization, leveraging our global reach to combat systemic racism and inequity wherever it exists. Read our full statement on anti-racism and equity here.