Mechanic, Building Maintenance

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (called Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. The public-facing portion of this renovation will be the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration. Components of the new museum will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard.

The Campus and Experiences team is responsible for creating amazing brand experiences for live audiences and delivering excellent service and operations at NGS headquarters. The team is currently focused on the Base Camp renovation project, including all construction, content and design, revenue and operations planning, and overall budget and schedule management. They also produce and generate revenue through National Geographic Live and National Geographic's Traveling Exhibitions programs.

We are seeking a team member who values interoperability and is ready to jump in and support colleagues across different projects when needed. At the Museum of Exploration, we believe that our greatest successes come from shared expertise and a willingness to step outside of a single role. This isn't just a part of the job; it's a core aspect of how we operate and collaborate, reflecting the spirit of partnership that defines National Geographic's culture.

To maintain the operational integrity of a complex facility by performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and repairs on all mechanical, plumbing, lighting, and life safety systems during the assigned overnight shift. This position reports directly to the Engineer, Operating Shift Lead.

This is an essential employee position, requiring you to report to and remain at work during emergencies and early closings (e.g., severe weather, utility outages, etc.). Flexibility to work occasional overtime is also required to support operational needs.

Responsibilities Include :

Perform Preventative and Corrective Maintenance (80%):
Execute regular, scheduled preventative maintenance (PM) and perform necessary corrective repairs on HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and life safety equipment as directed by the Shift Lead. This includes, but is not limited to, checking chiller/boiler logs, changing filters, motor inspection, and belt replacement.

Respond to Service Requests (10%):
Promptly address and resolve unscheduled maintenance requests during the shift, such as system troubleshooting, addressing temperature complaints, resolving minor plumbing issues, and repairing general building and kitchen equipment.

Administrative and Documentation Duties (5%):
Accurately document all completed work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Read, understand, and apply technical information from equipment maintenance manuals and online resources.

System Integrity and Upkeep (5%):
Assist the Shift Lead with assigned projects, including the installation of new equipment, air balancing, and troubleshooting and repair of complex systems like Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes. Maintain the organization and cleanliness of all assigned mechanical rooms and shop areas.

Minimum Education Required

A High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Trade school certification or relevant vocational training in HVAC, Electrical, or Plumbing is strongly preferred.

Certifications and Licenses

While no licenses are required for this role, candidates who currently hold a 6th Class Operating Engineer's License are highly encouraged to apply, as this experience is a significant advantage. The employee will be required to complete 24 hours of continuing education per year in engineering and maintenance fields.

Minimum Years And Type Of Experience

Two years of experience performing maintenance and repairs on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in a commercial, institutional, or Class A office building environment is preferred.

Necessary Knowledge And Skills

• Proven ability to perform basic maintenance and troubleshooting on commercial HVAC systems, including air handling units, VAV systems, cooling towers, and boiler operations.
• Basic understanding of plumbing systems and the ability to perform minor repairs (e.g., unclogging drains, replacing fixtures).
• Working knowledge of basic electrical systems to perform tasks like replacing ballasts, diagnosing lighting issues, and resetting tripped circuits.
• Proficiency in utilizing hand and power tools safely and effectively.
• Must be a self-starter with a positive, team-oriented attitude and strong communication skills to work effectively with the operating shift team.

Supervision

None

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The rate for this position is $23.50.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Resident - Our Resident category recognizes that certain staff need to be physically present at Base Camp to do their work. Some Resident staff must be at Base Camp every day to do their jobs, while others may only need to be physically present onsite some of the time to meet looming deadlines or to get work done and may require a unique schedule. As such, this category has been revised to provide maximum flexibility depending on what's required for each individual role. The days Resident staff come into the office will be determined by their teams and workflow, and they should work with their supervisors to determine their specific schedule. And throughout the year, their schedule may be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles, deadlines, and/or ebbs and flows of work.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.