Special Events Set-Up Assistant

At The Huntington, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to support and promote the appreciation of the humanities, the arts, and botanical science. The Huntington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.

Founded in 1919, The Huntington is a collections-based research and educational institution open to the public, housing world-class library, art, and botanical collections. Its mission is to support research and promote education in the arts, humanities, and botanical science and to display and interpret its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences.

Here we are committed to the highest of standards in all that we do – from preserving and protecting the collections, to exhibitions, educational and scholarly programming, visitor and reader services, and beyond.  Achieving excellence across these pursuits requires a diversity of perspectives, expertise, experience, and methodologies. 

At The Huntington, our organizational Culture is shaped by the following core values: Intellectual curiosity, Collaboration, Stewardship, Belonging, and Integrity.

• Intellectual Curiosity: Knowledge, lifelong learning, and a spirit of inquiry are at the core of our mission and organizational culture.

• Collaboration: Teamwork and a collaborative attitude are important at all levels of The Huntington. We foster relationships internally among our departments and externally with organizations throughout the community.

• Stewardship: We are committed to the care and development of our collections, our financial and physical resources, our staff, and our community.

• Belonging: We strive to attract and maintain a workforce of individuals with diverse talents, backgrounds, and perspectives. Our organizational culture promotes a sense of welcome, inclusion, and connection.

• Integrity: We value respect and honesty, working to fulfill our mission with honor and ethical principles.

About the Role
Working under direct supervision, provides furniture and equipment setup and tear-down for meetings, parties, lectures, and other events; provides custodial support for events. Reports to the Special Events Supervisor.

This is an on-call role with no set weekly hours. The evening shift is typically scheduled from 1:30pm- 9:30pm, though the hours are flexible, depending on events.

The candidate will demonstrate a background of working with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, using a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach.

Essential Duties

• As directed by the Special Events office sets up and tears down tables, chairs, audio/video, and other equipment as needed.

• Ensures that event furniture is clean and in good repair, and is stored properly.

• Records and keeps a regular inventory of all in-house events furniture and equipment, with recommendations for repairs or replacements as needed to the Special Events Set Up Supervisor.

• Proactively manages a schedule of setups & teardowns that maximizes space turnover and efficiency.

• Works with Special Events Managers to advise on scheduling feasible setup and teardown timing for each of the Huntington’s venues different setups.

• Runs and distributes power & lighting for events as needed, including but not limited to: running power boxes and cabling ensuring lighting is on and functional for all events.

• Setting up supplemental lighting for catering etc.

• In conjunction with the AV technician, sets up and runs AV equipment, including microphones, slide projectors, video projectors, overhead projectors, lights, and other equipment.

• May be required to troubleshoot as needed and assist AV technician with keeping track of the location of all AV equipment, ensuring that it is well maintained and in proper working order.

• Performs special cleaning for events: dusts, cleans restrooms, vacuums carpets, spot cleans walls, carpets, floors, and furniture, empties and cleans trash cans and ashtrays, picks up debris and washes down exterior areas, cleans all other areas as directed.

• May assist in moving boxes, furniture, ETC for facilities needs.

• May perform light maintenance duties like light furniture repairs, etc.

• Other duties as assigned.

Candidate Requirements and Experience
Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• High School diploma preferred.

• Valid California Drivers' License.

• Must be able to read and comprehend written instructions and to accurately interpret diagrams. 

• Must be attentive to details and meticulous in following verbal and written instructions.

• Must be able to lift, push, pull, and carry heavy objects; walk and stand for long periods of time; climb ladders and stairs; bend and reach.

• Must be able to work cooperatively with others and function as part of a team. 

• Must be flexible in assuming work assignments and knowledgeable about event and space procedures. 

• Must be polite and diplomatic in dealing with other staff members and the public.

• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evening and weekend events.

• Some crew experience preferred; experience with AV equipment helpful.

• Pay Rate: $18.50/hr.

• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays 

• Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants 

• Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions 

• Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds