Housekeeper, Maintenance​/Cleaning

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.

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: Full‑time Year‑round

FLSA Status: Non‑Exempt/Hourly

Last Updated: February 24, 2026

Penland Housekeepers support a welcoming and well‑maintained campus by providing daily cleaning, room preparation, and basic upkeep of housing and work spaces 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.

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 work spaces 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…