Storage and Retrieval Assistant

Description

Part-time, non-exempt, up to 28 hours/week

Compensation: $22.50 per hour

Background

Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, The Frick Collection is known for its distinguished holdings of European paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century. The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. Since opening as a museum in 1935, the institution has grown significantly while preserving the intimate scale and distinctive character that have made the Frick one of the world’s most admired museums. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded by Helen Clay Frick in 1920 and internationally recognized as one of the leading centers for the study of arts created in the European tradition.

After a five-year closure of the Frick’s historic buildings, during which time a major renovation and enhancement project was completed, the Frick reopened in 2025 with new spaces for the display of art and for educational programming, including the Ian Wardropper Education Room and Stephen A. Schwarzman Auditorium. The Frick has long been a leader in, and advocate for, arts education, and in-gallery teaching with direct access to works of art displayed in historic interior spaces remains foundational to the museum’s mission to provide access, understanding, and enjoyment of the collection to the public.

Position Summary

• Retrieve and re-shelve requested items in the book stacks
• Process incoming and outgoing off-site requested items
• Move book trucks, lift books and boxes (up to 25 lbs.), and adjust book stack shelves 
• Clean and shift book stacks
• Check the order of call and inventory numbers for items in the book stacks
• Barcode and label items, and update their records in the library management system
• Maintain the request, return, and reserve shelves in the reading room
• Assist with library activities, special projects, programs, and events

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Able to work independently and collaboratively
• Can prioritize tasks and projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Has an attention to detail

Preferred

• Experience in libraries
• Experience with the ExLibris Alma/Primo library management system
• Knowledge of art history
• Knowledge of one or more languages in addition to English

Physical Requirements

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Physical requirements are comparable to most office roles: the ability to interact in-person with colleagues and use common office tools and machines (computer, phone); and the ability to traverse throughout the offices and building(s) both inside and outside of the museum, and visit different levels of the building. Move and transport book trucks, books and boxes (up to 25 lbs.), and adjust book stack shelves 

Workplace culture

At the Frick Collection, we pride ourselves on promoting an open and welcoming workplace culture that supports diversity and work-life balance. The Frick strives to provide our employees with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits in a beautiful and pleasant work setting, while offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art.

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at The Frick Collection, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, alienage or citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, military status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status or any other protected characteristic as established by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Work Hours

Storage and Retrieval Assistants are generally scheduled to work up to 28 hours per week; 4–7 hour shifts are usually scheduled between the hours of 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM 3-4 days/week, including an unpaid lunch break for shifts 6 hours or longer.

The Frick Art Research Library opening hours are 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. 

The Museum and Library are closed on all Federal Holidays, as described below. 

The Museum and Library occasionally provide services to researchers for special events and symposia and support activities for public programs in the evenings and on weekends, Storage and Retrieval Assistants may very occasionally be relied upon to work to support these evening and weekend events. 

Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection

Sick time: part-time employees and interns accrue sick leave up to 56 hours/year in accordance with the New York City Earned Sick Time Act. 

Paid Holidays: part-time employees receive paid time-off when they would normally be scheduled to work on holidays the museum is closed to the public. These include New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Retirement: The Frick supports all employees and interns in planning for retirement by offering participation in a Tax Deferred Savings Plan – 403(b).

Wellness Programs at the Frick include an Employee Assistance Plan, a discount on Citi Bike memberships, and a discount on bike helmets. 

Meal and Museum Shop discount: When employees are working onsite, they may access a discount on food pickup or delivery through Seamless/Grubhub. All employees are eligible to receive a discount on Frick Museum Shop purchases.

Application Process 

Apply here or send cover letter and resume to: 

Storage and Retrieval Lead, Frick Art Research Library

The Frick Collection

1 East 70th Street

New York, NY 10021