Facilities, Building Engineer, Full Time

Summary

The Norton Simon Museum is seeking a dedicated and experienced Building Engineer to inspect and maintain the operational efficiency of the museum, ensuring a safe, functional, and optimal environment for both visitors and staff. This position involves comprehensive responsibility for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of all critical systems within the building, including HVAC, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical systems, and more.

Qualifications

This position requires a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in building engineering, with a strong preference for prior experience working in museums, hospitals, or hospitality-focused institutions. Knowledge of museum-specific environmental and building needs is highly desirable. As a journey-level building engineer, this position is expected to work independently with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate must be highly proficient in managing and maintaining HVAC systems such as chillers, boilers, cooling towers, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical systems, and building automation technologies. Experience with direct digital controls (DDC), building automation systems (BAS), security systems, and audiovisual systems is strongly preferred.

Must possess strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities, plus a knowledge of safety protocols and California building codes, especially as they relate to public institutions and museum standards. This position must be able to balance multiple projects in a variety of building maintenance disciplines in any given day. Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, contractors, and museum staff. A valid California driver’s license, personal automobile insurance, and local residency are required. Relevant certifications in building maintenance, HVAC systems, or safety are a plus. A uniform provided by the Museum, must be worn during working hours.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and repairs to ensure the proper functioning of building systems, including HVAC, environmental controls, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical, and lighting systems.
• Oversee the upkeep and repair of the roof, waterproofing systems, outdoor water features, and other critical areas to preserve the integrity of the facility.
• Work alongside the Conservator and Preparators to support curatorial and exhibition-related assignments, including ensuring environmental conditions meet requirements for collections and exhibitions
• Provide assistance to the custodial and grounds teams, as necessary, in addressing maintenance needs that intersect with cleaning, events and general facility upkeep.
• Assist with special projects as needed, which may include renovations, new installations, or emergency repairs. Participate in the planning and execution of upgrades to museum facilities and systems.
• Respond to system alarms and emergencies, such as HVAC failures, electrical or plumbing issues, and environmental concerns. This includes the ability to monitor alarms and troubleshoot remotely via a laptop or smartphone when necessary.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform physical tasks, including heavy lifting (up to 45 pounds), bending, stretching, reaching, and manual dexterity. The role requires extensive walking, standing, and working in varying weather conditions, both indoors and outdoors.

Working Environment

The position is based primarily at the Museum, including its facilities and outdoor spaces. The role may involve working in areas with varied environmental conditions, including temperature variations and outdoor weather elements.

Schedule

This position is regularly scheduled Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with a thirty-minute unpaid meal break. During the initial training period, the work schedule will be 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, with a thirty-minute unpaid meal break.

This position requires flexibility to accommodate special events, which may include occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work. Emergency response to environmental system alarms or other urgent facility needs may be required at any hour. The Musuem reserves the right to adjust work schedules as operational needs require.

Compensation

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, and includes excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision and life insurance and a generous pension program.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Norton Simon Entities* provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Norton Simon Entities do not unlawfully discriminate or tolerate harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health decisionmaking, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, age (forty years of age and over), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation. The Norton Simon Entities make reasonable accommodations for disabled applicants and employees and for religious observances and practices. This policy applies to all areas of employment including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, termination, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer, and social and recreational programs.

The Norton Simon Entities are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion in its workforce.

*The Norton Simon Entities are composed of the following: Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena and the Norton Simon Art Foundation. Employment may be with either, or both, of these entities.