About the Eames Institute

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to advancing the dynamic legacy of 20th-century designers Ray and Charles Eames. By sharing the things the Eameses made and loved, along with their joyful and rigorous approach to life and work, we seek to inspire creative problem-solving that positively shapes our world. 

With our vast collections, digital and print offerings, an extensive program of events, and the Eames Ranch, we aim to demonstrate the enduring value of the Eameses’ philosophy and invite people to explore their curiosity, ask questions, and implement creative solutions to the challenges of today.

About the Role

The Eames Institute is in search of a Facilities Technician to oversee the maintenance of our 15,000-square-foot (and growing) campus in Richmond, CA. Reporting to the Facilities Director, this role is responsible for ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for our staff, guests, and collections. The Facilities Technician will play a key role in maintaining the overall safety, security, cleanliness, and functionality of our campus, which currently operates out of two buildings and will soon expand into a third. The site includes workspaces for Eames Institute staff as well as warehouse spaces for the Eames Archives. The ideal candidate is self-driven and energized by the opportunity to maintain and support one of the world’s most significant Eames collections.

Key Responsibilities

Maintain Facilities, Grounds & Equipment

• Unlock and open the main building at the beginning of the daily shift.
• Serve as point person for all Richmond facilities-related contractors and vendors, coordinating with the Facilities Director on scheduling and overseeing services provided.
• Tend to overall maintenance of the property, which includes heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R), electrical, plumbing, carpentry, custodial, and grounds activities, adhering to maintenance schedules for equipment.
• Ensure excellent standard of cleanliness throughout the buildings, executing on routine janitorial cleaning duties and other cleaning tasks as they arise.
• Complete inventory and supply orders in accordance with the Facilities Director and Senior Director of Operations.
• Provide trash management, including staging trash containers for pick-up.
• Secure and lock the buildings at the end of the daily shift.
• Maintain updated SDS sheets for the facility. 

Provide Facilities Support to Onsite Staff

• Ensure smooth daily operation of property and respond to staff needs and requests with thorough execution.
• Assist the Collections team with the moving and arranging of Collections pallets and items.
• Serve as point person for shipping and receiving, including communication and proper storage for incoming objects.
• Be available for infrequent after-hours emergencies.
• Operate forklifts, scissor lifts, and pallet jacks. (Currently hold a forklift certification or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire.)
• Occasionally respond to requests of two low-maintenance tenants, escalating to the Facilities Director as needed.
• Support staff at other locations, such as Eames Ranch and Stout bookstore, as needed and agreed to with Facilities Director 

Contribute to Organization & Team Culture

• Participate in and add to the Institute’s culture of curiosity and learning.
• Contribute and share technical knowledge, resources, and enthusiasm to the organization as a whole.
• Build and share knowledge, appreciation, and curiosity of the history, contributions, and legacy of Ray and Charles Eames.
• Serve as a foremost in-house advocate and knowledgeable resource pertaining to the operations of the Richmond campus. 
• Help cultivate and nurture relationships across teams.
• Contribute as a collaborator, generously sharing knowledge and expertise with other members of the Facilities team. 

Required skills, abilities, competencies:

• 2-5 years of experience in building maintenance
• Ability to closely follow safety regulations and meet company policies
• Ability to work in an open office setting without assigned desks or private offices, using shared spaces and hot-desking as needed
• Basic understanding of access control for alarm and camera systems
• Strong communication skills and ability to work well with a diverse group of people, able to use tech-based platform for facilities requests (Slack) 
• Basic understanding of FLS systems (sprinklers, fire panels, extinguishers, etc)
• Ability to operate equipment such as scissor lifts, pallet jackets, booms, etc.

Essential Functions:

• This role requires the individual to be onsite at our Richmond facility, Monday through Friday, generally between regular business hours with occasional early or later shifts as needed.
• Regular and prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and lifting.
• Frequent use of hands for typing, writing, and handling office equipment.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, and moving of heavy materials or equipment, often weighing 50 pounds or more.
• Repetitive tasks involving manual dexterity.
• Ability to operate machinery and equipment safely
• Stamina to perform physically demanding tasks in a fast-paced and variable environment.

What we offer: 

• This is a non-exempt position with pay range: $30/hour - $38/hour
• The Eames Institute offers a competitive benefits package, including…
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• 401k employer match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Commuting benefits
• Wellness stipend (annual) 
• Professional development stipend (annual) 
• $500 match for charitable giving, for every year of service up to five years

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.  Other duties not listed here may be assigned by your manager or the CEO.  

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The Eames Institute values diversity, inclusion & belonging for all, and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We strive to create a workplace that empowers people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to feel respected, valued, and able to contribute at the highest level. If you’re excited by this role but your professional experience doesn’t perfectly align with the qualifications listed, we still encourage you to apply.