Facilities Specialist

American Youth Foundation; Grant Township (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Meals provided

Job summary

American Youth Foundation seeks a Facilities Specialist to help maintain camp facilities and grounds, perform rounds, and support woodworking groups. The role is onsite at Miniwanca, Shelby, Michigan, with housing and meals provided.

You’ll be on call during training and camp sessions, including weekends and evenings. Responsibilities include grounds care, light maintenance, safety protocols, and collaboration with program staff to ensure a welcoming, youth-centered environment.

Qualifications

• Age 18 or older (21+ preferred) with driving experience.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and operate tools safely.
• Work in varied weather and rugged terrain; safety focused.
• Strong attention to detail and dependable attitude.
• Ability to supervise groups and interact respectfully with youth.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean and safe work area.
• Complete camp rounds, identifying needs and correcting them.
• Maintain grounds, gardens, and common spaces (mowing, trimming, mulching, watering).
• Perform general camp maintenance: painting, pressure washing, basic building upkeep.
• Support woodworking activities, supervise staff and campers during groups.
• Assist with moving luggage and adapt to schedule changes.
• Contribute to camp culture through projects and teamwork.
• Respond to emergencies and coordinate with staff as needed.

Skills

Physical stamina

Hazardous environment awareness

Tool handling

Teamwork

Emergency response

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Interpersonal communication

Tools

Power tools

Lawn care equipment

Maintenance tools

Job description

American Youth Foundation Mission

We dare people to discover and celebrate the very best in themselves and others; inspire them to explore diverse perspectives and complex challenges; and embolden them to live courageously, engaging their full capacity.

Job Summary

As part of the Facilities team, the Facilities Specialist helps maintain and upkeep camp facilities and grounds and provides general problem-solving assistance around camp within their skill set. Work typically begins with camp rounds to identify and correct areas of need, followed by daily projects as assigned, trash and debris removal, and grounds work such as mowing, trimming, and pressure washing. The Facilities Specialist also contributes to camp culture through projects, activities, and interpersonal relationships, and helps oversee woodworking interest groups.

Job Locations

• Miniwanca – Shelby, Michigan
• Miniwanca necessitates the ability to move through rugged terrain.
• Facilities Specialists live onsite during staff training and camp sessions, including weekends and evenings, to be available 24 hours/day in case of emergency response.
• Housing and all meals are provided.

Job Type

Seasonal

Company Culture

The AYF believes that how we act and interact reflects who we are as a community. In practice, at the AYF we value investing in youth, stewarding the environment, encouraging participants and staff to explore and develop their values and beliefs, belonging in community, and growing together.

Recognizing the full value of all, the American Youth Foundation affords equal opportunity for employment and program participation to all individuals on the basis of merit and/or eligibility without regard to race, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Position Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean and safe work area.
• Demonstrate the attention and respect needed to learn how to use tools and chemicals safely and effectively.
• Complete camp rounds, identifying areas of need and correcting them.
• Maintain the grounds, gardens, and common spaces, including lawn maintenance (push mowing, string trimming), weeding, mulching, and watering flowers and plants.
• Perform general camp maintenance: painting/staining buildings, pressure washing, and basic building maintenance.
• Clear rubbish, weeds, brush, and debris; remove trash and litter daily; clean entrances, decks, patios, sidewalks, pavements, parking lots, and driveways.
• Take care of all tools, supplies, and inventory.
• Create kits, monitor supplies, and oversee staff and campers during woodworking interest groups, ensuring safety.
• Take on special landscaping or planting projects as deemed necessary.
• Assist with moving luggage on move-in/move-out days.
• Contribute to camp culture through projects, activities, and interpersonal relationships.
• Adapt to unforeseen circumstances in the event that program activities need to be altered.
• Be a general problem solver around camp, lending assistance where skill set allows.
• Work with program staff and food service toward the common goals of the AYF.
• Promptly discuss any difficult situations that arise in camper or staff relationships, discipline, and other areas of concern with the Coordinator and Director.
• Establish personal and professional goals for the season and work toward those goals.
• Complete all job functions, including requested records and written reports.
• Other duties as assigned; this is not meant to be a complete list of all responsibilities.

Requirements

Skills and Qualifications

Required

• Age Requirement: 18 or older (21 or older preferred). Note: the Miniwanca site requires 21 years of age with 3 years of driving experience, due to site driving duties.
• Comfortable with heights, heavy objects, and power tools.
• Ability to work within hazardous situations involving heights, heavy objects, and power tools.
• Ability to ensure safety and supervise participants and staff using power tools.
• Ability to drive vehicles around the site with appropriate speed and manner.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to respond to and direct groups of children and/or staff in an emergency.
• Attention to detail; a self-starter with a working understanding of groundskeeping and landscaping.
• Willingness to work in all weather conditions.
• Ability to stay physically and mentally motivated, and a desire to learn new skills.
• Support the organization’s mission and vision with integrity, dependability, and accountability.
• Interact effectively with individuals and groups respecting social and cultural diversity. Establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships and interpersonal skills that contribute to a positive community.
• Demonstrate passion for serving youth, encouraging campers to explore through play and creating a space where youth feel included and a sense of belonging.
• Fully participate in and be present at all camp community activities, including staff training activities.
• Maintain effective mental, emotional, and social interactions in our youth-centered residential summer camp program.
• Ability to handle stressful situations appropriately, maintaining mental, emotional, and social resiliency needed for the job in a fast-paced, interactive environment.
• Use effective and appropriate self-care practices for maintaining overall wellness.
• Follow all guidelines and policies as described in the AYF (American Youth Foundation) staff manual.

Preferred

• Interest, knowledge, and skill in the use of tools, custodial duties, and maintenance.
• Lawn care and cleaning experience.
• Basic understanding of hand tools and how to use them; DIY experience.
• Valid driver’s license with 3 years of driving experience.
• Current certification in CPR and First Aid (training available for accepted applicants).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required for this position. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.