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, we’re 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.

We are deeply committed to creating an actively anti-racist organization, leveraging our global reach to combat systemic racism and inequity wherever it exists.Read our full statement on anti-racism and equity here.

Purpose of the Role

The Laborer for the Obama Presidential Center will be responsible for performing routine space maintenance and upkeep for both internal and external spaces across the campus. This position will support the campus operations directly through operating equipment and performing general labor critical to the maintenance of space services and visitor engagement. The role necessitates close interaction with other tradespeople on campus for smooth service delivery.

As the onsite Laborer, you’ll be reporting directly to the Superintendent of Operations and Maintenance.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Support Obama Presidential Center infrastructure, operations, and exhibits within diverse settings in alignment with industry best practices.

• Perform repair and maintenance tasks across the Obama Presidential Center spaces including but not limited to the Museum, Home Court, Library, Forum and programming rooms, Auditorium, and the Garden.

• Support Superintendent in addressing work orders while utilizing tracking systems and reports.

• Work closely with teams across the campus to support priorities including convenings, exhibits and displays, renovations or maintenance, and building services.

• Operate hand jacks and to lift, move, store, and distribute large and heavy materials or equipment across the campus.

• Track and organize tool and material use, assisting onsite tradespeople with supply preparation and maintenance.

• Prepare daily work activity reports.

• Follow all certification and standard operating procedures guidelines.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Applies knowledge of trade function to independently complete standard tasks and resolve issues involving relatively complex factors.

• Heavy lifting (up to 75 pounds) may be required as well as the ability to work in extreme weather conditions.

• Exhibits working proficiency in primary/routine duties of professional area; utilizes discretion and independent judgment to solve non-routine problems.

• Candidates typically have progressed through a registered apprenticeship program and have obtained journeyperson status in their trade.

• 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 $51.40/hour.

This is an onsite role based at the Obama Presidential Center campus, located in Jackson Park.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t 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.