ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The New Children’s Museum’s (NCM) mission is to spark creativity, exploration, and a sense of belonging through interactive art experiences. Located in downtown San Diego, The New Children’s Museum collaborates with contemporary artists to design and create art installations and educational programs for children.

Our vision is to be the most innovative, most loved, most inspiring, and most sustainable children’s museum in the world. Our interactive art installations and hands-on art programming provide creative and educational experiences for children and families. We work with artists to reimagine our spaces so that there is always something “new” to discover when you visit. As a nonprofit institution, we rely on daily admissions, memberships, and community support to fund our daily operations.

Our commitment is to provide a welcoming space for all families. We believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are integral to fulfilling our mission and empowering children’s innate creativity through hands-on exposure to art and the creative process. Please visit: https://thinkplaycreate.org/ to learn more.

Position Overview
The Manager of Facilities and Security is a key leadership role responsible for the safe, efficient, and smooth operation of the Museum’s buildings, grounds, and infrastructure. This position oversees custodial, maintenance, and security staff, ensuring a well-maintained, welcoming, and secure environment for all visitors, staff, and artists. The Manager leads daily operations, responds to immediate safety and facility needs, and upholds compliance with safety, regulatory, and operational standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

• Oversee the daily operations, upkeep, and functionality of all building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire alarms, and general repairs.

• Develop and monitor preventive maintenance schedules to ensure systems are reliable and safe.

• Support special projects and renovations in coordination with leadership and external contractors.

• Supervise custodial and maintenance staff, ensuring the Museum is consistently clean, safe, and guest-ready.

Security & Safety Oversight

• Supervise security staff, including hiring, scheduling, training, performance management, and coaching.

• Maintain and update employee access information in the Museum’s Siemens SiPass Access Control System.

• Oversee and monitor the Museum’s closed-circuit TV (CCTV) and alarm systems.

• Respond to and document incidents, accidents, and emergencies, including providing first aid when necessary.

• Deter undesirable activity outside the Museum with a firm and respectful presence and by coordinating with local authorities or park partners as needed.

• Conduct regular rounds of the Museum floor, monitoring for visitor and staff safety and installation integrity.

Training, Compliance & Emergency Preparedness

• Coordinate annual CPR, first aid, and active shooter trainings.

• Conduct quarterly evacuation drills and new hire safety orientations.

• Lead and facilitate the Museum’s Safety Committee, fostering a culture of preparedness and compliance.

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal safety regulations and codes; implement corrective actions as needed.

Event & Guest Support

• Oversee safety and security needs for evening and special events (approx. 15 annually).

• Assist with load-ins/outs and installation-related facility support.

• Maintain awareness of Museum rules, policies, hours, and key exhibitions to provide accurate information and model integrity in guest interactions.

External Relations & Partnerships

• Serve as primary liaison with San Diego’s Clean & Safe program and SDPD RSVP volunteers to proactively address park and community safety needs.

• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and service providers to ensure quality delivery of facility and security-related services.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma required; post-secondary education or facilities-related certifications preferred.

• 5+ years of security or facilities-related experience, with demonstrated grown in role and responsibilities.

• 2+ years of experience supervising security, custodial, or maintenance staff.

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.

• Ability to remain calm and make quick decisions in emergency situations.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to work effectively with staff, visitors, vendors, and external partners.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and familiarity with facility/security systems (access control, CCTV, alarms).

• Enthusiasm for working in a family-centered, nonprofit environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current CPR/AED/First Aid certification.

• Guard Card certification.

• Fluency in Spanish.

Key Competencies

• Strategic planning and organizational skills

• Hands-on problem-solving and decision-making abilities

• Ability to build collaborative teams and lead by example

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality

• Dedication to safety, sustainability, and continuous improvement

Physical Requirements and Equipment Usage:

• Walking, Standing, and Sitting: The duties and responsibilities of this position will be performed in a stationary position (standing or sitting) for approximately 75% of the workday and will require movement throughout museum spaces to interact with visitors and educators and to activate museum experiences.

• Lifting: Occasional lifting and moving of furniture, equipment, and supplies weighing up to approximately 100 lbs.

• Manual Dexterity: May operate various equipment, including but not limited to power tools and sharp tools.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Work Environment:

This position is in-person at The New Children’s Museum and is based in the dynamic and collaborative environment of the organization. The majority of this work is performed in the busy Downtown, Museum environment with constant ambient noise at moderate levels and requires observance of safe work practices, fire regulations, and avoidance of falls, trips, and similar office work hazards. A portion of this position does require outdoor exposure to elements. Due to the nature of the position, weekend and holiday hours will be required.