Farm Facilities & Grounds Maintenance Worker 2

https:/www.scheurer.org/careers/; Kentucky; On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent university in Kentucky is seeking a Farm Facilities & Grounds Maintenance Worker to oversee the maintenance of their extensive property. The successful candidate must have at least 7 years of experience in facilities maintenance and be skilled in operating tractors and landscaping equipment. Responsibilities include managing grounds maintenance and building repairs, as well as training staff on equipment safety protocols. This position requires physical strength and flexibility in working hours.

Qualifications

• 7 years experience in institutional or commercial facilities maintenance.
• Experience working with various audiences including students and faculty.
• Valid driver's license with no significant violations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the facilities and grounds encompassing 400 acres.
• Operate farm and landscaping equipment safely and correctly.
• Schedule and document preventive maintenance for buildings.

Skills

Grounds Maintenance

Building Maintenance

Equipment Operation

Teamwork

Technical Proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Tractors

Power Tools

Landscaping Equipment

Job description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under limited supervision, the Farm Facilities & Grounds Maintenance Worker 2 maintains the facilities and grounds of Case Western Reserve University's 400-acre property. The Farm comprises nearly 200 acres of fields, over 200 wooded acres, and a trail system. The Farm facilities include indoor and outdoor spaces for teaching, research, agriculture, athletics, recreation, as well as residential space. With over 28 buildings at the Farm, the individual will identify and implement needed repairs and seasonal maintenance in a range of building types and uses. Knowledge of grounds maintenance and landscaping is also necessary, along with a willingness to perform ecological land management practices, and safe handling of tractors and related equipment. Additional work areas include snow removal, special events assistance, and vehicle and equipment maintenance. This position requires direct involvement with a wide array of technical assessment projects and repairs such as construction, woodworking, plumbing, building mechanical systems, power tools, and vehicle/equipment maintenance. Ability to practice a wide range of property operations tasks and land management techniques is essential. There are three full‑time Maintenance Support Worker positions that help maintain the farm property.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Grounds Maintenance

Includes areas that are wooded, trails, fields, fencing, ponds, recreation sites, the cross‑country course, research areas, landscaped beds and more. Prioritize and communicate to the Farm administration daily and weekly project needs to maintain the health and aesthetic of the Farmlands.

• Operate farm tractors with mowers and other implements safely and correctly.
• Operate landscape and agricultural equipment—including but not limited to tractors, mowers, trimmers, pruning tools, log splitters, woodchippers, chainsaws and snow blowers (operating certification required where applicable).
• Perform landscaping and limited landscaping design as required.
• Plant, weed, mulch, string‑trim, mow and maintain Farm property and natural areas for safety, aesthetics and use.
• Perform snow and ice removal, including clearing all Farm walkways, building entrances and emergency egress to maintain a safe and open environment.
• Assist with support of the composting and food production program operations when necessary.
• Perform general maintenance of grounds including debris removal, trash hauling and special pick‑ups.
• Identify and assess disease or pest problems and grounds areas in need of repairs or remediation.

(35%)

Facilities Maintenance

Includes event spaces, barns, food production buildings, classrooms, research spaces, offices and residences. Plan, prioritize and communicate daily and weekly lists of needed project assignments to address facility needs.

• Perform routine inspections and assist in coordination of Farm improvement projects performed by staff or contractors.
• Relay pertinent information to the Farm administration on problems that will need to be sent out to a contractor.
• Assist with coordination of scheduling of repairs and maintenance, diagnose and advise on action items.
• Assist in meeting with contractors to review job scope.
• Schedule, perform and document completion of routine or preventive maintenance and repairs on Farm building systems including fire alarms, electrical systems, plumbing, boilers and HVAC.
• Maintain familiarity and competency with the proper use and safety of basic hand tools, power tools and safety equipment.
• Responsible for training peers and temporary workers regarding operation of mechanical systems and alarms.
• While some basic weekly cleaning is contracted, other spaces are maintained by Farm maintenance staff; clean inside and outside facilities as directed.
• Keep mechanical room areas and any chemical and equipment storage clean, safe and orderly.

(35%)

Equipment Maintenance and Training

• Develop and implement safety and operational training protocols for all equipment, and provide hands‑on instruction to ensure staff proficiency.
• Maintain detailed records of staff training hours and require full operational knowledge of all equipment functions and safety procedures.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA agricultural safety requirements and federal expectations for safe machinery operation.
• Lead maintenance and repair efforts and manage scheduling and documentation for all farm off‑road vehicles, vans, machinery, equipment and related implements.

(17%)

Event Support

• Prepare for internal and external events by coordinating venue layouts with the Farm Administrator.
• Clean inside and outside facilities as directed before and after special events, including waste removal and recycling.
• Assist volunteers and visiting groups as directed.
• Assist with special event parking.
• Relay pertinent information to the Farm administration on problems with special event furnishings, equipment and spaces.

(8%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Create seasonal work schedules and plans across all Farm functions.
• Innovate and initiate better methods for conducting Farm maintenance tasks.
• Assist in the development of accurate records and inventory of maintenance‑related supplies.
• Help educate property guests on the Farm’s rules and standard operating procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with full‑time farm staff to coordinate events, visitors or facilities repairs.

University: Occasional contact with faculty members who teach and or do research at the Farm to help with research project set‑up, take‑down and storage needs.

External: Weekly contact with village employees, delivery personnel, other visitors that may include school‑age children. Occasional contact with vendors.

Students: Frequent contact with summer student workers and volunteers, coordinate their assignments to carry out tasks.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will supervise the daily execution of work plans for student workers and temporary employees as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 7 years experience in institutional, industrial, or commercial facilities building maintenance or the equivalent in grounds‑keeping or landskeeping; farm-specific maintenance experience is helpful.
• Experience working with various audiences such as students, faculty/staff, and the general public is helpful.
• High school diploma (or GED equivalent) is required.
• Valid driver’s license with no significant violations.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a full‑time, 40‑hour per week position in Hunting Valley. Each staff member shares a week‑at‑a‑time after‑hours on‑call rotation, has on‑call phone responsibilities during that time, and will periodically need to work weekend and evening events. Must be available to work evenings, holidays, and weekends, as required. This position is classified as essential meaning in some weather events, emergency or other defined times the staff may be required to report to work even when the university is closed to other staff; mandatory in‑person work during university holiday breaks, weather events, and other designated periods of time is compensated.

The employee may be directly exposed to animals, moving machinery, blood‑borne pathogens, chemicals, commercial cleaning solvents and oils, confined space entry and/or restricted access, excessive noise, fumes, dust, pesticides or herbicides, and repetitive motion. Additional hazards directly related to this position include extreme weather conditions, cuts, scraps, bee stings, and insect bites. Must be prepared to receive right‑to‑know and other training in the identification and handling of hazardous materials including pesticides, chemicals and biologicals.

Department provides gloves, hard hat, hearing protection, protective eyewear, safety shoes and respiratory protection; these are required. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Individuals in this position must have physical dexterity required for lifting, moving, standing, walking for significant periods of time. They must be physically capable of reaching any area of facilities with tools and materials, including roofs, tunnels and catwalks; this may involve frequent balance, frequent bending, stooping, stretching, crawling and climbing. Must provide a home and cell telephone number; must be able to work other shifts at times, including weekends; must be available to work on emergencies. The employee will be required to drive while on the job.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Technical proficiency in building maintenance, a trade, or groundskeeping.
• Can identify and report basic problems, conduct tasks and make minor repairs without direct supervision.
• Can learn and apply training in areas without previous technical experience such as basic carpentry and groundskeeping maintenance.
• Can work well both independently and as a member of a team and stay on‑task without supervision.
• Can learn and apply training in the proper and safe use of tractors, safety equipment, hand tools and power tools.
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education and advocacy for all students, aligned with the university’s values, mission, and messaging while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Can interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
• Can maintain consistent attendance.
• Basic computer skills; can learn software to record work performed and maintain records.
• Conduct work in a manner that assists with the Farm’s environmentally friendly and conservation‑minded practices.
• Keep spaces tidy and the Farm always presentable and safe for visitors.
• Can manage time and coordinate schedules to maximize efficiency.