Athletics Facilities Maintenance & Ice Rink Manager

The Hotchkiss School; Lakeville (CT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT seeks an Athletics Facilities Maintenance & Ice Rink Manager to provide hands-on leadership for MAC operations, ice rink maintenance, and staff management. You will oversee maintenance, safety, and event coverage for athletic facilities, coordinating with the Athletics Director to ensure operational excellence.

As a working-manager, you will ensure staff cross-training, schedule optimization, and readiness for practices, games, and community events, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Current Certified Ice Technician (CIT) and Certified Pool Operator (CPO), or ability to obtain within the first year of employment.
• Proven track record in a leadership role with a demonstrated ability to lead by example and cross-train staff.
• Strong technical capabilities and ability to learn new software.
• Excellent communication, organizational and customer service skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and supervise MAC maintenance staff and rink staff while the ice is down.
• Coordinate staff scheduling for optimal coverage, minimizing overtime wherever possible.
• Proactively build and refine facility operational procedures.
• Lead conversion of Dwyer Rink between ice, indoor turf, summer programming, and event configurations.
• Support operational readiness throughout the Mars Athletic Center and other assigned athletics spaces.
• Lead setup, breakdown, and reset for games, tournaments, camps, community use, and School events.
• Lead athletics equipment movement, receiving, storage, inventory, and distribution.
• Lead custodial operations for the entire athletic facility.
• Conduct routine facility inspections and report safety, maintenance, access, or cleanliness concerns.
• Lead the equipment-room, laundry, building-access, and related Athletics functions.

Skills

Leadership

Staff cross-training

Facility operations

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred / equivalent

Tools

Software proficiency

Job description

Department: Athletics Department

FLSA: Exempt

Designation: Full-time

Schedule: Calendar year with some weekend hours.

Reports to: Athletics Director

Travel: Minimal

Schedule: As a professional management role, this position requires flexibility to maintain facility coverage, operational responsiveness, and resolution of emergent facility needs. Non-ice season hours are generally Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During the ice rink season (November 1 through early March), the schedule is generally four weekday shifts and one full weekend day, with additional evening or event coverage as dictated by athletics schedules, facility demands, and operational necessity. The position is considered essential to operations during inclement weather or other emergencies.

Position Summary

The Athletics Facilities Maintenance & Ice Rink Manager for the Mars Athletic Center (MAC) provides hands-on operational leadership, facility oversight, and maintenance staff management for the athletic facilities. As a working manager, they ensure operational excellence, staff cross-training, and seamless operational continuity.

The Athletics Facilities Maintenance & Ice Rink Manager coordinates closely with the Director of Athletics to oversee MAC facility maintenance. They direct all ice rink operations, serving as the lead for ice maintenance, ammonia refrigeration safety, and event coverage. They oversee equipment, facility readiness, compliance and safety, and support for practices, games, tournaments, rentals, and other programs.

During non-ice periods, the position oversees and supports athletic maintenance operations within the Mars Athletic Center and other assigned athletics facilities. These responsibilities include seasonal facility conversions, event setup and breakdown, equipment and storage organization, facility inspections and custodial services, and general operational support. This is a working-manager role, setting the example for operational excellence.

Athletics Facilities Management Support

• Lead, mentor, and supervise MAC maintenance staff and rink staff while the ice is down.
  • Ensure staff are cross-trained in all MAC maintenance and custodial duties to ensure operational flexibility and continuity.
  • Coordinate staff scheduling for optimal coverage, minimizing overtime wherever possible.
  • Proactively build and refine facility operational procedures.
• Lead conversion of Dwyer Rink between ice, indoor turf, summer programming, and event configurations.
• Support operational readiness throughout the Mars Athletic Center and other assigned athletics spaces.
• Lead setup, breakdown, and reset for games, tournaments, camps, community use, and School events.
• Lead athletics equipment movement, receiving, storage, inventory, and distribution.
• Lead custodial operations for the entire athletic facility.
• Conduct routine facility inspections and report safety, maintenance, access, or cleanliness concerns.
• Lead the equipment-room, laundry, building-access, and related Athletics functions.
• Support other Athletics facility projects and seasonal operating needs as directed.

Rink Management

• Manage overall ice rink operations, staff and vendor scheduling, daily workflow, and facility coverage.
• Supervise, train, and mentor rink technicians in all aspects of rink maintenance.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience necessary to serve as the operational lead for maintaining the ammonia refrigeration system in compliance with OSHA requirements and other applicable regulations, in partnership with qualified outside service professionals, Facilities Services, and Safety and Security.
• Ensure compliance with all school safety policies, environmental standards, and hazardous material protocols.
• Lead the installation, maintenance, repair, and breakdown of ice surfaces.
• Safely operate and perform routine maintenance on ice resurfacing and skate sharpening equipment.
• Oversee climate control, ice quality monitoring, and refrigeration system checks.
• Maintain facility cleanliness, building accessibility, and spectator safety standards.
• Operate ice resurfacing equipment.
• Operate skate sharpening equipment.
• Lead and perform custodial duties.
• Perform additional duties as needed and assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience required.
• Current Certified Ice Technician (CIT) and Certified Pool Operator (CPO), or ability to obtain within the first year of employment.
• Proven track record in a leadership role with a demonstrated ability to lead by example and cross-train staff.
• Strong technical capabilities and ability to learn new software.
• Excellent communication, organizational and customer service skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Physical Conditions

• Required to lift approximately 50+ pounds.
• Bend, stoop, reach and kneel.
• Climb up to 4 flights of stairs.
• Work with or be in areas where hazardous materials may be present.
• Work in the ice rinks with cold temperatures.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Sit for long periods of time on a tractor, etc.
• Walk for long periods of time on different types of terrain.

Additional Information

The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

The Hotchkiss School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all phases of the employment process (including recruitment, hiring, assignment, terms, and conditions of employment, compensation, benefits, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination).

In accordance with applicable law, the School does not discriminate against any individual based on age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristics.