Facilities & Grounds Technician

Hawai'i Association Of Independent Schools; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15 days of paid time off

Medical and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan eligibility

Job summary

Carden Academy seeks a Facilities & Grounds Technician to keep classrooms, offices, and outdoor spaces safe and welcoming. This hands-on role handles routine repairs, preventive maintenance, event setup, and light grounds work on a small campus.

The ideal candidate is practical, self-directed, and comfortable around children; you'll respond to requests, inspect for hazards, and support campus safety and operations while coordinating with the Director of Facilities.

Qualifications

• Required: High school diploma or GED.
• Two or more years of general maintenance, facilities, trades, property, or grounds experience.
• Working knowledge of basic carpentry, painting, and minor plumbing repair.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine repairs and upkeep across classrooms, offices, restrooms, and common areas.
• Hang bulletin boards, shelving, and classroom fixtures.
• Carry out preventive maintenance on a scheduled basis and log work.

Skills

General maintenance

Communication

Independent work

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

Pay range: $25.00 – $29.00 per hour, depending on experience

Reports to: Director of Facilities

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week. Occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends are required to support school events, assemblies, and campus needs.

Position Summary

The Facilities & Grounds Technician keeps Carden Academy’s buildings and campus safe, functional, and welcoming for students, faculty, and families. This is a hands‑on role: routine repairs, preventive maintenance, event setup, and light grounds care across a small campus where no two days look alike.

The right candidate is practical, self‑directed, and comfortable working around children. You will be the person faculty come to when something breaks and the person who notices hazards before anyone else.

Responsibilities

Building Maintenance & Repair

• Perform routine repairs and upkeep across classrooms, offices, restrooms, and common areas, minor carpentry, patching, touch‑up painting, hardware and fixture replacement, and furniture and equipment moving, adjustment, etc.
• Hang bulletin boards, shelving, whiteboards, and similar classroom fixtures.
• Carry out preventive maintenance on a scheduled basis, such as but not limited to, gutter clearing, rust and corrosion treatment & prevention, operation of floor scrubber/buffer equipment, moisture control, ongoing needs in our tropical climate.
• Track requests from Help Desk and log completed work in a simple work order log for record keeping.
• Manage maintenance of locks and campus access hardware.

Grounds & Exterior

• Maintain planter beds, trim foliage, manage weeds, and keep the campus tidy and presentable.
• Keep walkways, sidewalks, play areas, and parking areas clear of debris and trip hazards.
• Maintain and safely operate maintenance & grounds equipment; report needed repairs or replacements.

Event & Classroom Support

• Set up and break down chairs, tables, canopies, and equipment for assemblies, school events, and outdoor learning spaces.
• Support teachers with moving or reconfiguring classroom furniture & program materials.

Safety & Compliance

• Conduct regular campus safety inspections and report or correct hazards promptly.
• Follow OSHA safety practices, including ladder safety, power equipment safety, and proper use of personal protective equipment.
• Store, label, and handle cleaning agents, paints, and chemicals in accordance with Safety Data Sheet requirements.
• Perform routine checks of smoke detectors.
• Support fire, lockdown, and evacuation drills.
• Assist with hurricane, wildfire, and severe weather preparation, including defensible-space clearance, securing outdoor equipment, and knowing the location and operation of water, gas, and electrical shutoffs.

General

• Other duties as assigned in support of campus maintenance & operations.

This position works on an active school campus during both school hours and non-school hours. The Technician is expected to:

• Maintain professional, appropriate boundaries with students at all times.
• Follow school policies regarding student interaction, supervision, and campus conduct.
• Sequence work to minimize disruption to instruction and to keep tools, equipment chemicals, and work areas secured and inaccessible to students.
• Serve as a mandated reporter under Hawaiʻi law and complete required training.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two or more years of general maintenance, facilities, trades, property, or grounds experience.
• Working knowledge of basic carpentry, painting, and minor plumbing repair.
• Valid Hawaiʻi driver’s license and a clean driving record; ability to run supply and materials errands.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing requests, and communicate clearly with staff.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
• Ability to complete required training and professional development.

Preferred

• Experience in a school, childcare, hospitality, or institutional facilities setting.
• Landscaping maintenance experience.
• Familiarity with maintenance challenges specific to tropical Hawaiʻi environments.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds; occasionally move heavier items with assistance or equipment.
• Climb and work from ladders and step stools.
• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and reach overhead for extended periods.
• Work outdoors in sun, heat, wind, and rain.
• Operate hand tools, power tools, and grounds equipment safely.
• $25.00 – $29.00 per hour, depending on experience.
• 15 days of paid time off, accrued throughout the year, plus paid school holidays. Time off is scheduled in coordination with the Director of Facilities around campus needs; school breaks are often our busiest maintenance periods, so flexibility in scheduling PTO is expected.
• Medical and dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan eligibility after one year of service.
• Required training and certifications supported by the school.

Education

Non-discriminatory Statement

Hawaiʻi schools are required to conduct criminal history record checks on all employees hired after July 1, 2000 for positions that place the employee in close proximity to children (Act 146). The selected candidate will be required to complete the forms necessary for a criminal background check and fingerprinting.

Carden Academy is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, arrest and court record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.