Historic Collections Cleaning Technician -  Henry Ford Estate (4/20/26)

Posted on 4/7/26

Location

Dearborn, MI

Job Type

Part-time

Description

THIS JOB POSTING WILL CLOSE ON APRIL 20, 2026, AT 12:00 PM EST - No hiring decisions will be made until the job posting has closed.

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a member of the Fair Lane Historic Resources team, the Historic Collections Cleaning Technician will play an important role in the Preservation, Conservation, and Restoration of Fair Lane: Home of Clara and Henry Ford, a National Historic Landmark. This position will report to the Conservator and assist the team with various projects, including, but not limited to, the regular cleaning and preventive care of all historic surfaces, the preparation of spaces for the needs of contractors and artisans, the cleaning and repair of architectural elements, along with the conservation and cleaning of hardware and light fixtures.

This interdisciplinary, hands-on position will focus on historic cleaning practices with additional limited opportunities for conservation and preservation projects.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Regular cleaning of all historic surfaces, including dusting, washing, vacuuming, mold remediation, etc. based on established historic cleaning practices.
• Intensive cleaning of historic objects and intricate architectural elements on a cyclical basis using appropriate conservation techniques according to departmental standards. This includes treating a variety of surfaces such as wood, textiles, glass, ceramic, metal of different finishes, etc. 
• Project preparation for contractors – removing light fixtures, doors, covering floors, etc.
• The conservation and restoration treatment of select architectural elements under the supervision of the Conservator and Head of Material Culture.
• Written and photo documentation of conservation assessments and treatments.
• Collaboration on projects with both staff and contractors.
• Maintaining organization and cleanliness of conservation lab, workshop, and active project spaces.
• Organization of historic materials and conservation assets according to departmental standards, including upkeep and cleanliness of the conservation lab, workshop, and active project spaces.
• Additional applicable responsibilities as assigned by the department director or the President & CEO to support the work of the organization.

COMPENSATION:

This is a half-time (approximately 24 hours per week), non-exempt (eligible for limited overtime), year-round permanent position with benefits. The hourly rate is $19.50 per hour and is non-negotiable.

• 403(b) plan with a 3% employer contribution and 3% employer match.
• 7 days (56 hours) of Paid Time Off (PTO) earned annually, PTO is accrued biweekly at a rate of 2.154 hours.
• 1 day (8 hours) of paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO).
• Paid bereavement leave.
• Ford x-plan discount.
• Professional development budget and opportunities.
• On-site and free bean-to-cup coffee machine.
• Donuts, bagels, and other snacks during weekly All-Staff Meetings.
• In-House Perks including a free photo permit (up to $400 savings), Tribute Garden discounts ($75 savings), and Patron-Level membership without Patron gifts ($300 savings).

Requirements

WORKING LOCATION & SCHEDULE:

• This role will be fully in-person.
• To support the organization’s educational and fundraising events, this role may occasionally require evening or weekend work. Advance notice will be provided whenever the schedule differs from normal hours.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Excellent fine motor skills preferred
• Ability to problem solve and come up with creative solutions
• Flexibility and willingness to get out of one’s comfort zone
• The ability to work well in a collaborative team environment
• Must embrace a diverse and inclusive work environment where individual contribution is encouraged and valued
• Solid communication skills, both verbal and written
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and file sharing formats such as Google Drive or DropBox are preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally, and 15 pounds on a regular basis.
• Able to climb a 10-foot ladder

BACKGROUND & REFERENCE CHECKS:

• All offers of employment at Henry Ford Estate are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates. Background checks include Prior Employment Verification, Personal and Professional Reference Checks, Educational Verifications, and Criminal Conviction Reviews.
• A criminal conviction will not result in an instant withdrawal of an employment offer. Henry Ford Estate considers the nature of crimes and their relationship to positions, the time since conviction, and the number of convictions when deciding if a candidate has clear results.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Henry Ford Estate is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Salary Description

$19.50/hour