Custodian (General Application) at Obama Foundation – United States
Recruiter: Obama Foundation
About Obama Foundation
The Obama Foundation is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and connecting people to change their world. Founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, the Foundation centers its work on developing the next generation of civic leaders, with programs operating in the United States, Africa, and Asia. It is also overseeing the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Job Summary
This position offers an opportunity to contribute to administrative management within Obama Foundation’s important work in international cooperation and sustainable development. Working in United States, you will collaborate with international colleagues and partners to address global challenges and promote sustainable development. This role provides an excellent opportunity for professional growth while making a meaningful contribution to international cooperation and global peace and security.
Full Job Description
At The Obama Foundation, our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change in the communities where they live, work, and play. Right here on the South Side of Chicago, were building a home for this vision, a global center for change with a range of opportunities – coordinated programming, community outreach events, educational moments, and more – that invite visitors from down the block or across the globe to turn hope into action.
Achieving our ambitious goals starts with an exceptional team built on our Hope to Action Values – Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope. A Framework that anyone, anywhere, can use to build trust, activate participation, and expand opportunity in their community.
Purpose of the Role
Core Job Responsibilities
Ensure Obama Presidential Center public spaces uphold cleanliness and sanitation standards as a direct representation of the Centers 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 Centers 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 Centers 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. For an overview of our benefits package, including insurance, paid time off, retirement & more, please visit https://www.obama.org/careers/ .
This is an in-person role based at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.
Dont check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! If youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt 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 careers@obama.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.
Key Details
- Job Title: Custodian (General Application)
- Grade: N/A
- Location: Obama, United States
- Department: Obama Foundation
- Contract Type: Professional Staff
- Estimated Salary Range:$84,000 – $144,000 USD annually
Qualifications
- Not specified in the official posting
Skills
- Not specified in the official posting
Benefits
- package, including insurance, paid time off, retirement & more, please visit https://www.obama.org/careers/ .
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official UN careers portal. Female candidates and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
