Job Listing
 🔗Director of Facilities & Preservation

  • Full Time
  • Marfa, TX
  • $95,000/- USD / Year
  • Job Summary: The Director of Facilities & Preservation serves as the primary steward and operational leader of Chinati’s physical environment, where historic buildings, land, and art are inextricably linked and cared for as integral components of the collection.
  • Job Qualifications:

    Bachelor’s degree in Historic Preservation, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline; or equivalent professional experience (minimum 5–7 years) in facilities management, structural preservation, capital project leadership, or another related field; advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., IFMA CFM/FMP, PMP, OSHA 30-Hour, LEED AP, or state trade license) strongly preferred.
    7+ years of progressively responsible facilities management experience, including at least three years leading capital projects and supervising staff.
    Solid understanding of historic preservation ethics, historic building materials, traditional construction methods, and basic hazardous material awareness (e.g., lead paint, asbestos mitigation in historic structures).
    Practical, hands-on mechanical aptitude and general trade skills (carpentry, basic electrical, plumbing, HVAC diagnostics, etc) with a strong commitment to working directly in the field.
    Proven ability to manage capital builds, draft RFPs, negotiate contracts, manage project budgets (hard and soft costs), and oversee third-party contractors within deadline.
    Strong computer skills, including familiarity with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Adobe Creative Cloud.
    Ability to read and interpret architectural and construction drawings (AutoCAD drafting skills is a plus).
    Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to lead a small crew, collaborate across departments, and interact effectively with artists, board members, donors, and consultants.
    Valid driver’s license required.
    Physical capacity to navigate varied terrain, climb ladders, inspect roofs/crawlspaces, lift materials, and work outdoors in all weather conditions.
    Conversational fluency in Spanish is preferred.

  • How to Apply:

    Email a cover letter and resume to jobs@chinati.org.

  • Job benefits: Health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, paid time off and an employer sponsored 403(b) retirement plan
  • Application Email: jobs@chinati.org
  • Application URL: https://chinati.org/director-of-facilities-preservation/
  • Marfa, TX 79843, USA

Website Chinati Foundation

The Chinati Foundation is a contemporary art museum in West Texas.

Overview
The Director of Facilities & Preservation serves as the primary steward and operational leader of Chinati’s physical environment, where historic buildings, land, and art are inextricably linked and cared for as integral components of the collection. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the COO, this position balances daily, hands-on facilities management with forward-looking site strategy and capital project execution.

This position oversees the full range of day-to-day functionality, safety, and physical integrity of the grounds and historic structures, actively dealing with maintenance, climate controls, and mechanical repairs, while also directing external architects, engineers, and contractors on major preservation and construction initiatives. The Director manages a small facilities and grounds team and is considered an essential employee, maintaining on-call availability for site emergencies and extreme weather events. In 2027–2029 a capital restoration project will be taking place and the Director will play a major role in the oversight of this project.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Day-to-Day Facilities & Operations

  • Oversee and actively participate in the daily operation, maintenance, and repair of all buildings, utilities, physical infrastructure, and grounds alongside the facilities crew.
  • Perform and oversee hands-on physical work, trade troubleshooting, and emergency repairs across carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and structural systems.
  • Monitor and maintain building climate systems (HVAC, humidity, and temperature controls) to meet standards for both structural preservation and collections care within historic spaces where possible.
  • Supervise, direct, and mentor the facilities and grounds team; establish daily priorities, schedule routine maintenance, and foster a safe, collaborative workplace; hold regular departmental meetings, provide constructive feedback, and remain accountable for the department’s work, including activities delegated to staff or consultants.
  • Serve as an emergency response point person, maintaining 24/7 on-call availability for urgent site, security, or weather-related events.
  • Assist with the development, testing, and execution of the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan.
  • Ensure site compliance with safety standards, building codes, and ADA accessibility guidelines, adapting modern requirements sensitively to historic structures.
  • Model collaborative leadership by stepping into operational or administrative duties when circumstances require.
  • Perform other duties as necessary to ensure effective functioning of the organization.

Preservation & Capital Project Execution

  • Serve as the internal lead for all building and site preservation initiatives, ensuring repairs and alterations adhere to institutional and professional museum standards for historic structures.
  • Maintain physical maintenance logs, building condition reports, and records of structural alterations to preserve the archival history of the site.
  • Direct capital projects, building restorations, and site improvements from initial scope development through RFP issuance, bid negotiation, budgeting, and construction management.
  • Act as the primary institutional liaison with external professionals, including preservation architects, engineers, tradespeople, general contractors, municipal partners, and conservators.
  • Review architectural plans, construction documents, and cost estimates to ensure high quality, historical sensitivity, cost control, and timely delivery.

Strategy, Budgeting & Administration

  • Develop, monitor, and manage annual operating and capital budgets for facilities, maintenance, and capital projects in coordination with leadership and financial staff.
  • Monitor adjacent site conditions, environmental factors, and viewsheds to protect the historic setting and surrounding landscape.
  • Advise leadership on long-term physical site risks, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainable maintenance practices.
  • Prepare reports and presentations for executive leadership and serve as the staff liaison to Board committees regarding facilities, physical assets, and site stewardship when necessary.

Benefits

All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays if working full-time, and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.

Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.

Interns are not allowed to work more than 1200 hours total in the program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full-time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. The stipend rate is $17.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.

The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.

The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE's Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@preservenet.org.

Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.

How to Apply

You may review NCPE's internship opportunities anytime without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.

Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your username or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.

Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.

Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!



Logging in with a Registered User Account and completing the Universal Application is required to apply for NCPE Internships. Please visit the Universal Application page to register for an account and complete the form. After logging in and completing the form, refreshing this listing will display the Job Application to apply online.