Facilities and Maintenance Intern

Greening Youth Foundation NA; Homestead (FL); On-site; USD 18,184 - 25,898; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Eligibility for Public Land Corps non-competitive hiring authority

Job summary

A nonprofit organization is seeking a Facilities Maintenance Intern at Biscayne National Park. This position involves maintaining park grounds and boardwalks while training local diverse youth to gain valuable skills. The intern will work outdoors and indoors in varying conditions and assist with various maintenance tasks. Applicants must be U.S. citizens aged 16-30, possess strong communication skills, and a valid state driver's license. Compensation is $16/hour for a full-time commitment of 987 hours.

Qualifications

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or national.
• Must be between 16–30 years of age.
• Able to pass a federal background check.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining and rehabilitating park grounds.
• Repair and replace boardwalk sections.
• Perform janitorial duties including trash removal.
• Assist with facility repairs and maintenance.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication skills

Dedicated work ethic

Ability to work independently

Attention to detail

Trustworthiness

Dependability

Job description

Park Division/Branch: Biscayne, Facilities

Internship Position Title: Facilities Maintenance Intern

Summary

The Facilities Maintenance Intern will assist Biscayne National Park in the maintenance and rehabilitation of its boardwalks and other park grounds located at Convoy Point and Boca Chita. The goal of this project is to recruit and train local diverse, underserved, and underrepresented youth to gain important personal, professional, and vocational skills.

Knowledge and skills to be attained

Applicants must have strong written and oral communication skills, a dedicated work ethic, and the ability to work independently. Interns must be prepared to work in a fast‑paced team environment with attention to detail. The intern must be trustworthy, dependable, and willing to work with people of different perspectives.

Work Environment

The job requires indoor and outdoor work. The incumbent will be required to ride along in a park boat to work on the islands. The work involves frequent on‑site fieldwork requiring some physical exertion such as walking over wet, rough, and uneven terrain; bending, crouching, stooping, reaching, lifting, or similar activities. Outdoor work may involve extreme temperatures and exposure to biting insects.

Weekly Hours/Compensation

40 Hours per week $16/hour. The schedule will vary depending on the workload. Interns may be required to work on weekends and holidays.

Duration

Fulltime 987 hours

Intern Tasks

• Empty trash and recycling bins throughout the park.
• Remove old stumps, nonnative plants, and rehabilitate the grounds.
• Repair and replace damaged sections of the boardwalk located on Convoy Point and Boca Chita.
• All tools and equipment issued to and used by the intern will be returned to the park in the same condition received except for normal wear and tear.
• Use zero‑turn mowers and weed eaters to maintain park grounds on remote islands.
• Assist HVAC and electrical mechanics with general maintenance, installation, and troubleshooting of HVAC, electrical systems, and fixtures.
• Works and assists maintenance mechanics on facility repairs to docks, interior trim work, other minor repairs, and painting.
• Assists the water‑plant operator with repairs, testing, and operation of reverse osmosis water plants.
• Assists with grounds work to include operations of weed eating, tree trimming, leaf blowing, pressure washing, and mowing.
• Janitorial duties to include trash removal, and cleaning office/public spaces and restrooms.
• Assist with safety measures and programs by tracking chemical usage, inputting data into the system, SDS tracking sheets, and chemical inventory.
• Assist with safety briefings and meetings with the maintenance team.
• Professional development and mandatory NPS training to include safety, network access, Sawyer, and MOCC.
• Interns may also be required to perform additional duties as directed.
• The work completed is primarily active and the Greening Youth will be required to be on their feet most of the day. Work is performed indoors and outdoors where dirt, bugs, wildlife, and fumes are present. May work from ladders and scaffolds on hard‑to‑reach systems requiring the incumbent to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions.
• Frequently lifts carries and sets up parts and equipment that weigh up to 40 pounds. Work may be required in inclement weather and extreme heat and humidity.
• Personal protective equipment and clothing must be worn and may be uncomfortable at times. Maintenance will be completed in remote locations within the park in hot and humid conditions which may involve hiking, climbing, or crawling to perform maintenance. Travel via boat to Key locations is required.

Vehicle/Driver's License

The intern must have a valid state driver's license to be able to drive government vehicles. It is recommended that they have a personal vehicle. Dependable transportation to and from the site is required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or U.S. national.
• Between 16–30 years of age.
• Able to pass a federal background check.

Benefits

Upon the successful completion of 640 hours, the intern will be eligible to receive the Public Land Corps (PLC) non‑competitive hiring authority which will help the intern obtain a temporary or permanent job with the National Park Service.

Working Location

Biscayne National Park: Boca Chita, Elliot Key, Black Point, and Adams Key.

Supervisor

Miguel Angel Martinez