University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Building Services Assistant, Penn Arts & Sciences

Job Profile Title

Services Assistant B

Job Description Summary

Building Services Assistants support the day-to-day facilities, logistics, and operational needs of Penn Arts and Sciences (SAS). This position is responsible for monitoring the condition and upkeep of School facilities, coordinating maintenance and repair activities, transporting and handling furniture, equipment, and materials, and supporting building operations and special events. The position works closely with building administrators and Facilities Services to help ensure that SAS buildings, classrooms, equipment, and common areas are maintained in a safe, functional, and professional manner.

Job Description

Penn Arts and Sciences (SAS) forms the foundation of the scholarly excellence that has established Penn as one of the world's leading research universities. We teach students across all 12 Penn schools, and our academic departments span the reach from anthropology and biology to sociology and South Asian studies.  Members of the Penn Arts & Sciences faculty are leaders in creating new knowledge in their disciplines and are engaged in nearly every area of interdisciplinary innovation. Penn Arts & Sciences educational divisions fulfill different missions, united by a broader commitment to providing our students with an unrivaled education in the liberal arts.

Job Responsibilities

• Regularly inspect SAS buildings and report on the condition of structural, mechanical, and electrical systems and other facility-related concerns.

• Assess the condition of general-use classrooms and common areas by monitoring temperature control, cleanliness, appearance, and overall facility ambience to help ensure proper housekeeping and upkeep.

• Assist building administrators in tracking maintenance requests, repairs, and work completed by Facilities Services mechanics.

• Move School equipment, computers, personal items, books, supplies, and other materials between and within campus buildings, as permitted by applicable union bargaining agreements.

• Move and arrange office furniture within buildings, as permitted by applicable union bargaining agreements.

• Operate a one-ton panel truck or similar School vehicle and other equipment, including forklifts, as required.

• Maintain and organize School furniture, warehouse inventory, equipment, and related materials.

• Clean, prepare, and organize furniture and equipment in the warehouse for delivery, installation, or reuse.

• Install, repair, and maintain fixtures and related items in off-campus buildings as assigned.

• Receive, handle, document, organize, deliver, and ship packages and other materials.

• Hand deliver and retrieve keys, rush packages, documents, equipment, and other items to and from campus buildings.

• Assist with the scheduling, use, inspection, and routine maintenance of School vehicles.

• May serve as a chauffeur for School-related activities and events on occasion.

• Assist with building security and fire protection activities and promptly report safety, security, health, or environmental hazards.

• Support SAS Commencement ceremonies and other School events and activities, including required weekend work.

• Perform all duties in a professional, courteous, safe, and timely manner.

Qualifications

• High School Grad/GE Degree and 1 to 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

• Valid driver's license and the ability to safely operate a School/company vehicle.

• Ability to operate or learn to operate facilities, warehouse, material-handling, and other related equipment, including a forklift.

• Ability to follow established safety procedures and work effectively with building administrators, Facilities Services personnel, vendors, colleagues, and members of the Penn community.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a professional and timely manner.

• Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment regarding facilities, safety, security, and operational matters.

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time at a desk or workstation.

• Ability to walk frequently, including for extended periods of time, both indoors and outdoors.

• Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to climb stairs and ladders as required to perform assigned duties.

• Ability to work outdoors and tolerate exposure to varying weather conditions for extended periods of time.

• Ability to work in environments with loud or extreme noise levels and, when applicable, vibration or varying lighting conditions.

• Ability to work in environments where there may be exposure to hazardous materials, chemicals, dust, or odors.

• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, masks, goggles, or other protective equipment, as needed.

• Ability to safely perform physical tasks associated with moving, transporting, handling, storing, and maintaining furniture, equipment, packages, and other materials.

• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, or non-standard hours in support of SAS events and operational needs.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Arts and Sciences

Pay Range

$17.12 - $20.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay