Job Posting 

Job Title:  Director, Operations and Visitor Services

Planet Word | Museum of Language Arts

Planet Word (www.planetwordmuseum.org) is a new interactive museum that brings language to life with unique, immersive experiences for people of all ages. Nothing like it exists anywhere else in the world. Established by educator Ann Friedman, the museum is housed in the Franklin School, a newly restored and rehabilitated National Historic Landmark at the corner of 13th and K Streets NW in the heart of Washington, D.C. The building has undergone an extensive interior restoration, and the museum has installed architecturally significant high-tech and media-intensive exhibits and installations. 

Planet Word’s policy is to provide equal opportunity employment (EOE) to all persons. Planet Word recruits, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status. Planet Word’s commitment to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is clearly reflected in the stories we tell. At Planet Word, we strive to provide a forum for civil discourse and to be a place where community, in all its vibrant diversity, can gather to share the words that bridge differences and forge solutions.

POSITION

Planet Word’s Building Manager is responsible for the efficient operation, maintenance, and repair of the museum’s building systems. Building systems include mechanical, electrical, lighting, plumbing, energy management, fire protection, structural, landscaping, hardware, and keying. A 55,000-square-foot museum, located in a 150-year-old facility, Planet Word was fully restored in 2020. The building has brand-new MEP systems and commissioning was completed in 2023. This position is important to providing a safe, secure, and stable environment for the protection of the building systems and that of the public, staff, and visitors.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

•Ensure the museum facility is in safe, clean, and optimal operating condition. Perform daily facility inspections to assess safety, functionality, and cleanliness. Report deficiencies, address issues, make corrections and suggestions for future improvement.
• Proactively develop, assess, and implement a sustainable maintenance plan, including SOPs, PMPs, and ongoing repair of the facility and building systems, including annual deep cleaning.
• Maintain and refine daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual maintenance and repair schedules, check lists, and processes. Ensure facility repairs, corrections, and refinements are made in a timely manner.
• Contract and manage professionals for repairs and maintenance as needed, including inspection of work performed and generating deficiency lists. Troubleshoot and make minor repairs to mechanical and electrical equipment with very minimal or no support and supervision.
• Receive work assignments, including responding to service calls, setting up and resetting of spaces for programs and events. Complete assignments and paperwork in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the equipment being serviced and employ service procedures and techniques indicative of high-quality work.
• Work with museum operations and visitor services teams to maintain emergency response plans.
• Follow inspection and service procedures, including the schedule for recurring testing of building systems such as fire and safety, elevator, and generator.
• Report monthly water and energy usage to Energy Star per LEED building requirements. 2
• Work with the Director of Operations and Visitor Services to monitor monthly utility bills and suggest and implement strategies to lower costs.
• Keep equipment rooms and common areas clean, organized, and safe. Provide proper care to the assigned equipment, tools, supplies, and other inventory.
• Schedule contractors via Planet Word’s event management software and create purchase order approvals via Planet Word’s procurement and payables software, before contract work is scheduled.
• Assist in the development of the facilities annual budget and monitor compliance.
• Procure supplies and materials for facility upkeep, maintenance, and special projects.
• Project a positive appearance and attitude and demonstrate exemplary team spirit and respect for others.
• Provide technical support and training to other team members, as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SCHEDULE
• Monday-Friday 7am to 3pm
• Be available for various shifts and to occasionally work extended hours, nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure adequate building coverage, including occasional after-hours program and event coverage, and perform necessary repairs.
• Respond to after-hours emergencies such as fire, flooding, severe weather (e.g. snow and ice removal) power outages, and other situations including clean-up activities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• High school diploma or equivalent educational certification preferred.
• Must proficiently read, write, and speak English.
• Minimum of 5 years of field experience required.
• Training and certification in HVAC or Operating Engineering Technologies and/or equivalent job-related training and experience.
• CFC training and certification for the type of equipment serviced.
• Knowledge of OSHA, NEC, and NFC codes and regulations.
• Proficient computer skills necessary to operate building automation systems and standard operational and administrative software programs.
• Continuing education in field preferred.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

TO APPLY Submit your resume and salary requirements via [email protected]