Farm Facilities & Grounds Maintenance Worker 1

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $17.65 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under moderate supervision, the Farm Facilities & Grounds Maintenance Worker 1 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 learn more about 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 is one of three full-time 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: 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 splitter, wood chipper, chainsaw, 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 the clearing of all Farm walkways, building entrances, emergency egress to maintain a safe and open environment. When necessary, assist with support of the composting and food production program operations. 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. (40%)
• Facilities maintenance: Includes event spaces, barns, food production buildings, classrooms, research spaces, offices and residences: Assist in the coordination of Farm improvement and repair projects performed by staff or contractors, depending on project complexity. Support painting, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry projects. Recognize the need for and perform routine or preventative 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. Assist in light carpentry and tool maintenance such as nail gun, table saw, electric hand saws and other. Relay pertinent information to the Farm administration on problems that will need to be sent out to a contractor. Assist in meeting with contractors to review job scope. While some basic weekly cleaning is contracted out other spaces are maintained by maintenance Farm staff, clean inside and outside facilities as directed. Keep mechanical room areas and any chemical and equipment storage, clean, safe and orderly. (35%)
• Event Support: Prepare for events by setting up classrooms, meeting rooms and special event equipment. Clean inside and outside facilities as directed before and after special events including removing waste and recycling as needed. Assist as directed with volunteer students or visiting groups. Assist with special event parking. (10%)
• Vehicle and equipment maintenance: Assist with maintenance and records of farm off-road vehicles and other implements, maintain or repair landscape equipment, including but not limited to four types of tractors and their implements, skid steer, mowers, trimmers, pruning tools, log splitter, chainsaw, and snow blowers. Train others in the safe operation and proficient understanding of all machinery. (10%)

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Help create seasonal work schedules and plans. (2%)
• Help educate property guests on the Farm's rule and standard operating procedure. (2%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with full and part-time Farm staff.

University: weekly contact with faculty members, students and volunteers

External: contact farm visitors, greater Cleveland community members and occasional vendor

Students: Regular work with student interns and volunteers

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise student interns assigned to assist the duties of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 3 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.

Education/Licensing: High school diploma (or GED equivalent) is required. Must have a valid driver's license free of significant violations.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Technical proficiency in building maintenance, a trade, or groundskeeping. Must be able to identify and report basic problems, conduct tasks and make minor repairs without direct supervision.
• Must have the ability to learn and apply training in areas without previous technical experience such as basic carpentry and groundskeeping maintenance.
• Must be able to work well both independently and as a member of a team and be capable of staying on-task with only routine supervision.
• Ability to 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 values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Basic computer skills; must be able to 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.
• Must work to keep spaces tidy and the Farm always presentable and safe for visitors.
• Ability to meet consistent and on-time attendance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a full-time, 40 hours 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 time this staff position 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, chemical and biological.

Department to provide gloves, hard hats, hearing protection, protective eyewear, safety shoes, and respiratory protection are required. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. Individuals in this position must have the physical dexterity required to lift, move, stand, and walk for extended periods. 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.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

.