Lead Maintenance Manager – Forest Recreation Ops

Camp Los Padres; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle for business travel

Health benefits (medical, dental, vis­

401k with company matching

Vacation and sick pay

RV site with full hook-ups

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

Camp Los Padres is seeking an experienced maintenance leader to build and lead a nationwide-scale maintenance organization across five ranger districts. You’ll establish standards, build systems, and grow the maintenance team, overseeing critical infrastructure and water systems while ensuring safety and compliance.

Travel throughout the Los Padres National Forest is expected; a background in public lands facilities and CMMS implementation will help you succeed in this role.

Qualifications

• T2/D2 Water Operator certification or ability to obtain one quickly.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in maintenance, facilities, utilities, or public works operations.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed maintenance teams.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Broad hands-on experience across one or more skilled trades, such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, equipment repair, irrigation, water systems, or general facilities maintenance.
• Experience managing maintenance budgets, contractors, and capital repair projects.
• Experience implementing CMMS software and preventive maintenance programs.
• Experience with drinking water systems, wastewater systems, or utility infrastructure is preferred.
• Experience working with campgrounds, parks, public lands, resorts, or similar facilities is preferred.
• Comfortable leading teams across remote locations and spending significant time in the field.

Responsibilities

• Lead maintenance across five ranger districts, including campground openings, repairs, and winterization; plan seasonal maintenance.
• Ensure facilities, infrastructure, vehicles, equipment, and water systems are ready for seasonal openings and maintained to standards.
• Ensure drinking water systems operate under regulations; serve as operator of record; obtain certification after hire if needed.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and develop a team of maintenance technicians while supporting 50+ camp hosts.
• Develop and manage a CMMS, including PM schedules, work orders, asset management, and cost tracking.
• Establish maintenance standards, metrics, and PM programs; enforce safety training.
• Plan and oversee Granger-Thye repair and improvement projects with the U.S. Forest Service.
• Coordinate contractors (plumbers, electricians, septic providers, vendors, utilities).
• Manage vehicles, equipment, tools, and maintenance inventory; inspections and preventive maintenance.
• Oversee landscaping and grounds maintenance; mowing, vegetation management, debris removal.
• Prepare maintenance budgets, monitor expenditures, identify efficiency opportunities.
• Travel regularly throughout the forest to support field teams.
• Maintain maintenance documentation and ensure compliance with standards and contractual expectations.
• Serve as primary escalation point for urgent maintenance issues.
• Collaborate with leadership to assess needs, prioritize work, and schedule to minimize disruption.

Skills

Water operator certification

Leadership

Geographically dispersed teams

Leadership, comms, organization

Skilled trades

Budgets & contractors

CMMS implementation

Water/wastewater systems

Public lands facilities

Field leadership

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Camp Los Padres is seeking an experienced maintenance leader to build and lead a nationwide-scale maintenance organization across five ranger districts. You’ll establish standards, build systems, and grow the maintenance team, overseeing critical infrastructure and water systems while ensuring safety and compliance.

Travel throughout the Los Padres National Forest is expected; a background in public lands facilities and CMMS implementation will help you succeed in this role.