Maintenance Technician

Descanso Gardens; La Cañada Flintridge (CA); On-site; USD 22,041 - 37,195; Full time

Job summary

Descanso Gardens is seeking a Maintenance Technician to perform a broad range of building, grounds, and vehicle maintenance tasks at our La Cañada Flintridge site. The role requires electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, painting, and basic vehicle repair skills.

The Maintenance Technician will report to the Garden Maintenance Manager and may work evenings or weekends as needed. This is a full-time, non-exempt position with 40 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in either general building maintenance or one or more standard trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding, vehicle repair, and painting.
• Ability to assess situations quickly, make decisions, and exercise good judgment in routine or emergency situations.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and as a member of a team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including reading and writing technical materials.
• Valid Class C California Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and performs routine inspections of DG’s vehicles and trains using logs and work orders.
• Performs electrical repairs and maintenance (switches, outlets, bulbs, fixtures, tubes).
• Performs HVAC repairs and maintenance (belts, motors, pumps, compressors, lubrication).
• Repairs and paints interior and exterior surfaces.
• Assists with maintenance at Descanso Gardens water treatment plant and responds to maintenance needs of staff and visitors.
• Inspects train fleet, lighting, electrical, and HVAC as assigned.
• Supports safety inspections per Descanso Gardens IIPP safety plan.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

General maintenance

Electrical

Plumbing

HVAC

Carpentry

Painting

Vehicle repair

Tools

Power tools

Job description

Position: Maintenance Technician

Department: Maintenance

Status: Full Time, Non-exempt, 40 hours per week. Reports To: Garden Maintenance Manager

Job Description

This position reports directly to the Garden Maintenance Manager. Maintenance Technician performs a diverse variety of tasks related to building, grounds, and vehicle maintenance. This position requires skill in general electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and minor structural repairs. Carpentry, painting, and surface repair skills are required. Maintenance Technician requires a working knowledge of basic vehicle repair and maintenance for the company’s fleet, which includes trucks, electric and gas carts, diesel tractors, skid steers, hydraulic lifts, and children’s amusement train.

Job Classification

This is a full‑time non‑exempt position. The employee may be scheduled to work evening and/or weekend hours, depending on the organization’s needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains and performs routine inspections under the supervision of the Garden Maintenance Manager of DG’s vehicles and trains using maintenance logs and a work order system. This includes, but is not limited to, regular scheduled maintenance, tire repairs, vehicle lighting repairs, battery replacement, and scheduled cleaning.
• Performs general electrical repairs and maintenance, including replacement of broken or defective light switches, sockets, outlets, bulbs, fixtures, and fluorescent tubes, per established schedule and work order process.
• Performs HVAC repairs and maintenance, including replacing or adjusting drive belts; maintaining and adjusting motors, pumps, and compressors; and lubricating and checking heating, cooling, or ventilating systems for proper operation.
• Repairs and paints interior and exterior surfaces.
• Assists team with maintenance related to the MBR, Descanso’s in‑house water treatment plant. Responds effectively and efficiently when summoned to the maintenance needs of staff and visitors, including occasional emergency response.
• Performs regular inspections of Descanso Gardens train, fleet, and interior and exterior lighting, electrical, and HVAC as assigned.
• Assists with safety inspections as outlined in the Descanso Gardens IIPP safety plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Responsibilities

• Works in a safe manner, using personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with OSHA and Descanso’s IIPP. Participates in safety training meetings.
• Keeps work areas, tools, and equipment in good/clean working condition for optimum performance and to prevent injury.
• Adheres to the Code of Safe Practices when performing various job duties, which also includes the safety of staff, visitors, and volunteers, and communicates any hazard concerns as needed.
• Operates vehicles and/or motorized equipment to perform maintenance tasks at the worksite and/or remote off‑site locations in accordance with Cal‑OSHA safety requirements and/or rules and regulations of the state.
• Uses the inventory and purchase order system to request supplies and equipment.
• Replaces glass in windows, doors, and partitions.
• Completes basic carpentry projects and assists in construction projects.
• Participates in group meetings to discuss projects and expectations.
• Provides excellent customer service experience while working in public areas and interacting with garden visitors.

Equipment Used

Computer, printer, phone, 2‑way radio, tractor, skid steer (bobcat), boom‑lift, 1/8th replica diesel train, electric carts, trucks, gardening equipment, irrigation tools, manual tools, power tools, irrigation specialty tools, electric drain cleaner machine, and toilet auger. Electric table saw, hand saw, sanders, reciprocating saw, Dremel, oscillating multi‑tool, grinders, drill press, welding equipment, torch, soldering iron, electronic devices to locate water pipes, electrical conduits, multimeter, cement mixer, and most common hand tools.

Qualifications Requirements

• Two years of experience and strong knowledge in either general building maintenance or in one or more of the standard building trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding, vehicle repair, and painting.
• Ability to assess situations quickly, make decisions, and exercise good judgment in routine or emergency situations.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and as a member of a team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required, including speaking clearly to diverse audiences, reading and writing standard and technical communications, documents, and manuals.
• Valid Class C California Driver’s License.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The ability to walk, kneel, bend, stoop, sit, crouch, drive vehicles, and climb ladders.
• Occasionally use waders to work in water and mud.
• Ability to dig trenches for plumbing and irrigation lines.
• The ability to lift and carry 50 lbs., occasionally but not routinely.
• Exposure to various noise levels daily.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors as required.
• Ability to work at heights and in confined spaces.
• Ability to work extended periods of time, both walking and/or standing.

Compensation: $23–$27 per hour.