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Employment Opportunities

Available Positions

We are striving to preserve this amazing place we call home through the work taking place in our building and out in the field. Whether you're brushing the dirt off your hands, sorting through collections, cracking your knuckles as you copy-edit, or making sure visitors are having a safe and wonderful experience, being a part of The Nat means being a voice for nature in our region.

That requires building an empowered team. We offer a variety of benefits and are actively working towards greater inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, which you can read about in our current statement and action plan. The San Diego Natural History Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Why work at The Nat

Interested in joining? Scroll on to see our current openings.

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities instead? View our current needs.

Need more information? Find out more about our benefits and the culture we foster.

Learn more

Full-Time Openings

The San Diego Natural History Museum seeks a passionate, mission-driven individual to be our Building Engineer & Maintenance Manager. This role is responsible for the maintenance of all building systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, lighting and life safety equipment.  This role reports to the Deputy COO and manages two Maintenance Technicians. The Building Engineer and Maintenance Manager also ensures compliance with hazardous materials, accessibility regulations, and OSHA and other government regulations. While the job duties are largely contained to regular working hours, the position is on-call to respond during off hours.

Specific Responsibilities:
Facility
  • Maintain and apply functional knowledge of systems which include HVAC/Controls, Plumbing and Water Heaters/Pumps, Fire Protection/Fire Alarm, Elevators, Back-up Generators, Building Management Systems, Lighting Systems, Roof Systems, and Electrical Systems.
  • Diagnose, repair, and perform preventative maintenance of various types of equipment.
  • Perform proactive inspections of building structure, equipment, and furnishings to maintain functionality and detect malfunctions, scheduling routine maintenance as needed.
  • Directly supervises General Maintenance Technicians and collaborates with Facilities Associates to ensure facility functionality and appearance. Responsible for recruitment, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations of Technicians.
  • Monitor and adjust temperature and humidity control throughout the building, adjusting for seasonal changes and special needs for Museum collections and exhibitions.
  • Manage internal maintenance ticket system by completing and assigning tasks to team members.  Responds to requests in a timely manner.
  • Communicates equipment lifespan and recommendations for repairs and/or replacements.
  • Communicate with staff regarding equipment outages, construction, and repairs that may affect departmental and Museum operations.
  • Manages waste and recycling program, including organizing e-waste and HAZMAT pick-ups.
  • Assists in managing and selecting contracted vendors, conducts site walks, collects bids for projects and ensures adherence to Museum policies.
  • Maintains files, records, and logs as needed and required by City, County, and State codes.
  • Interacts with all Museum personnel to help facilitate the coordination of projects and storage within the facility, as well as being responsible for working with all departments to establish and monitor capital improvements that enhance the mission of the Museum and visitor experience.
Health and Safety
  • Serves as the primary contact and responder for the building’s fire alarm and security alarm and is a member of the Museum’s disaster team.
  • Maintains functional knowledge of the condition of the Museum including emergency equipment (Fire Panel, Burglar alarm, Fire extinguishers, Fire Code Compliance).
  • Oversees the implementation of the Museum’s hazardous materials and disposal plan.
  • Ensures that permits/records pertaining to hazardous chemicals, generating periodic reports to the County and other agencies as required by law are maintained.
  • Coordinates with the Fire Department as needed, for regular site inspections or responses to emergencies on site.
  • Collaborates with the Facilities Manager to develop and update disaster preparedness and emergency response plans.
  • Assists in conducting drills and training for staff on emergency response and evacuations.
  • Ensures a clean, safe, hazard-free work environment is maintained.
Essential Requirements:
  • A minimum of two years' demonstrated management experience in a large facility maintenance capacity.
  • Direct “hands-on” experience in general maintenance and repairs of a commercial building which includes plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, drywall patching, and furniture assembly.
  • Experience operating and maintaining HVAC mechanical equipment and controls.
  • Proven leader in hiring, training and supervising employees.
  • Proven team player with strong communication and customer service skills who is approachable, responsive, and resourceful.
  • Able to respond appropriately to emergency situations including fire, chemical spills, and evacuations, and to recognize, secure, and report unsafe conditions.
  • Dependable transportation with a valid California driver’s license and good vehicle operation record.
  • Occasional work with or possible exposure to various chemicals.
  • Able to work regular schedule of Sunday-Thursday, as well as occasional weekends, holidays and after-hours as needed.
  • Must be on-call for after-hours response for items related to the building and alarm.
Desired Qualifications:
  • Certifications in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other facility maintenance categories.
  • Certification (or willingness to obtain certification) and ability to operate a hand truck, a forklift, and scissor lift (used frequently) along with other equipment used to maintain the facilities.
  • Experience with project management and project management systems.
  • Proficient or bilingual in Spanish a plus.
  • CPR & First Aid.

To apply please submit a resume and cover letter to hr@sdnhm.org.  NO PHONE CALLS, NO DROP INS, and NO RECRUITERS please.

Pay: $68,500-$78,000 annually

This is a full-time, regular position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums as well as free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

Part-Time Openings

The San Diego Natural History Museum is seeking intuitive, reliable, attentive, detail-oriented individuals with strong communication and customer service skills as part-time/as-needed Security Officers. Security Officers are expected to uphold Museum rules and regulations by patrolling, observing, and reporting to the Facilities Manager and Deputy COO. Security Officers are also expected to set the example for Museum safety and stellar customer service, and assist Museum guests, employees, and vendors during emergency situations. 

Areas of responsibilities include: 
  • Patrol, observe, and report to Facilities Manager and Deputy COO. 
  • Provide a high level of customer service and assistance to all Museum guests, staff, volunteers, and vendors. 
  • Maintain a strong working knowledge of Museum policies and procedures, enforcing them with guests, staff, volunteers, and vendors as needed. 
  • Document daily actions and situations in a Daily Log. 
  • Respond to complaints and/or requests for assistance and evaluate appropriate course of action. 
  • Respond to emergency situations within and directly outside Museum (i.e. natural disasters, medical emergencies, etc.) 
  • Assist with building access and receiving/deliveries. 
  • Perform other duties assigned by Facilities Manager and Deputy COO. 
Qualifications: 
  • Previous security experience at a cultural institution is preferred 
  • Excellent customer service skills with the ability to maintain a professional and calm demeanor in a challenging, dynamic environment with all types of guests, staff, volunteers, and vendors. 
  • Strong communication skills with attention to detail. 
  • Must be able stand for long periods of time, respond quickly and communicate verbally for the majority of each shift. 
  • Ability to perform crowd control by providing clear guidance and direction 
  • Current Guard Card certification through BSIS 
  • Current CPR/AED/First Aid Certification 
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. 
  • Bilingual preferred 

This is a part-time/as-needed position. Tuesdays and evening availability are currently highly desired. 

Position pays $18/hour

Employees enjoy free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums as well as free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Learn more about the Museum’s benefits here

Please click here to apply.

 

The San Diego Natural History Museum is looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our team as Special Events Staff! You will: assist with the check-in and check-out of vendors, ensuring smooth operations from start to finish; set up and break down Museum equipment to create unforgettable event experiences; provide a welcoming environment for all; and be a positive presence in the Museum, spreading enthusiasm to all our guests. This role requires the ability to coordinate on-site event activities, working seamlessly with vendors, clients, and guests. We are looking for a can-do attitude and a genuine passion for our mission. Hours are determined on as-needed basis.

Join a supportive team dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences.

Roles and responsibilities:
Event Presence
  • Review work orders to understand the purpose, timeline, and layout of each event.
  • Collaborate with on-site Special Event Leads, Managers, or Director.
  • Assist with setup and teardown of events, following instructions from Special Event Leads or Managers.
  • Maintain a welcoming museum presence during guest and vendor visits.
  • Provide valuable and constructive post-event feedback
  • Coordinate with Food and Beverage staff to ensure timely setup of contracted services.
Museum Safety and Cleanliness
  • Ensure Museum compliance with Fire, City, Police, Park, Facility, and Alcohol regulations within California law.
  • Be prepared to execute evacuation procedures if necessary.
  • Work with Facility and porter staff to restore exhibit areas to their original condition after events.
  • Collaborate with Food and Beverage staff to return items to their designated storage areas.
Vendor Load-in and Load-out
  • Control access to loading areas and operate Facility elevators/ lifts as needed.
  • Enforce wristband/ sticker procedures for vendors during load-in and load-out.
  • Prevent unauthorized access to Facility during vendor load-in and load-out
  • Ensures vendor compliance with facility guidelines.
Qualifications and Requirements:
  • Ability to handle diverse guests, vendors, and customer service scenarios with ease.
  • Must have a reliable form of communication (phone, email)
  • Experience thriving in fast-paced, high-stress environments.
  • Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects weighing up to 50 lbs. without assistance.
  • Ability to climb stairs, stand, sit, or walk for several hours at a time or an entire work shift
  • If hired a background check will be required.
  • Availability for flexible scheduling, including nights, weekends, and holidays. 

Pay: $18/hr

This is a part-time/as-needed position. 

Employees enjoy free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums as well as free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Learn more about the Museum’s benefits here

Qualified applicants, please send your resume and cover letter to hr@sdnhm.org

No phone calls or drop in visits.