Make lives meaningful through making.
Who We Are
Penland School of Craft is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 16 teaching studios and 60 historic and contemporary buildings. We are an equal-opportunity employer with a staff of 50+. Penland operates with a $54 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $8.4 million. We are located about an hour northeast of Asheville, NC.
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Penland School of Craft, we believe that fostering a climate of equity, inclusion, diversity, and antiracism are essential to our work. We are committed to creating a campus community free of discrimination, and we welcome everyone who supports this commitment.
Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and other people who identify as people of color or BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply, as are people holding other marginalized identities related to gender, sexual orientation, ability, and class background.
Reports to: Services Manager
Department: Services
Employment Status: Temporary, May 18 - August 21, 2026
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly
Start date: TBD
Last Updated: April 28, 2026
Position Summary
Penland Housekeepers support a welcoming and well-maintained campus by providing daily cleaning, room preparation, and basic upkeep of housing and workspaces for students, staff, instructors, and guests. Working closely with the services manager, this role helps ensure that campus facilities are clean, comfortable, safe, and ready for use year-round.
Responsibilities include routine cleaning and sanitation, room turnovers, light maintenance tasks, inventory support, and responding to work orders. Housekeepers work both independently and as part of a team, use sound judgment to manage daily tasks, and contribute to a positive, respectful environment for the Penland community. This is a full-time, year-round position.
Primary Responsibilities
General:
- Work closely with the services manager to meet the housing needs of students, instructors, and guests and ensure a positive housing experience.
- Clean and prepare rooms for students, instructors, and guests, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organization in campus housing, including on room turnover days.
- Clean offices, studio restrooms, meeting rooms, and other Penland workspaces as assigned.
- Perform basic maintenance tasks in housing and promptly report mechanical or maintenance issues through the work order system.
- Complete assigned work orders in a timely manner.
- Follow established safety rules and regulations, maintain a safe, clean work environment, and be familiar with all applicable material safety data sheets.
- Foster a positive and respectful working relationship with students, staff, supervisors, and others encountered in the course of work.
- Use sound judgment to manage daily assignments, recommend improvements to work efficiency, and manage time effectively.
- Assist the services manager with inventory control and supply management.
- Report all accidents immediately to the Services Manager or, if unavailable, to the deputy and director of operations.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Daily Tasks:
- Empty trash and recycling.
- Clean and disinfect bathroom sinks, toilets, showers, mirrors, and floors; restock supplies as needed.
- Sweep, vacuum, and/or wet mop floors, rugs, and mats according to location needs.
- Wipe down kitchen counters and appliances.
- Change light bulbs within safe reach.
- Submit work orders for completion by the facilities department.
Weekly Tasks:
- Clean accessible windows and door or foyer glass; spot clean as needed.
- Clean water fountains and dust furniture and tables.
- Dust walls, light fixtures, ceilings, windows, window sills, and floorboards; remove cobwebs.
- Clean sink and supply closets.
As Needed Tasks:
- Ensure clean linens are available and rooms are prepared for incoming students; collect used linens for laundering and maintain appropriate inventories of linens, lamps, and blankets.
- Clean, disinfect, and scrub walls and stairs, kitchen refrigerators, and ovens.
- Shampoo rugs and furniture, and launder curtains.
- Wash shower curtains and bathroom windows.
- Oversee the upkeep of furniture and general housing inventory, including basic maintenance of items such as curtain rods and towel bars.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED required, with at least six months of experience or training in a service-related role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Schedule flexibility to support occasional program needs or emergencies.
- Ability to read and follow safety guidelines and operating manuals, and perform basic math calculations.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines.
- Ability to solve problems, communicate clearly, and work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, changing environment.
- Completion of annual bloodborne pathogen training and participation in required meetings and trainings.
- Computer skills are a plus, and must be able to navigate our internet-based payroll system.
- Be able to perform the responsibilities above satisfactorily.
- Demonstrate a commitment to uphold and implement Penland's mission, educational philosophy, and diversity & inclusivity statement.
- Valid North Carolina driver's license required.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described below represent those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
This position is physically active and requires the ability to:
- Stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
- Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist while cleaning areas.
- Lift, carry, push, or pull items typically weighing up to 25–40 pounds.
- Perform repetitive hand and arm motions, such as wiping, scrubbing, vacuuming, and handling linens.
- Reach overhead to clean surfaces, dust fixtures, or change light bulbs within safe reach.
- Climb a stepstool and, occasionally, a ladder to clean overhead surfaces and fixtures.
- Work indoors and occasionally outdoors, including in varying temperatures and weather conditions when servicing outside buildings and moving between buildings.
- Safely handle cleaning products and follow established safety procedures and material safety data guidelines.
Benefits
This temporary position offers sick leave, 1 meal per day during programming, a 30-minute paid break during the day, and staff discounts.
Compensation
This is a non-exempt, temporary position. The salary for this position is $17.70.
