Farm Facilities & Grounds Maintenance Worker 2

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 $19.32 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 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 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 splitter, woodchipper, 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. (35%)
• Facilities maintenance: Includes event spaces, barns, food production buildings, classrooms, research spaces, offices and residences: Plan, prioritize and communicate to the Farm administration daily and weekly lists of needed project assignments to address facility needs. Perform routine inspections and assist in the 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 preventative maintenance and repairs on Farm building systems including: fire alarms, electrical systems, plumbing, boilers, and HVAC such as light painting, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry projects. Maintain familiarity and competency with the proper use and safety of basic hand tools, power tools, and safety equipment. Responsible for the training of 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: Responsible for developing and implementing safety and operational training protocols for all equipment, along with providing hands-on instruction to ensure staff gain proficiency in the safe and effective use of all machinery. Maintain detailed records of staff training hours and require full operational knowledge of all equipment functions and safety procedures in order to communicate them to department personnel as needed. In alignment with OSHA agricultural safety requirements and federal expectations for safe machinery operation, the role ensures compliance with regulations that mandate proper operator instruction, hazard awareness, and authorized equipment use. Equipment under this scope includes four tractors, a skid steer, four mowers, and various implements essential to daily farm operations. Additionally, the role leads maintenance and repair efforts and manages 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 with Farm Administrator the venue layouts of event spaces, classrooms and meeting rooms. 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. 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. (1%)
• Innovate and initiate better methods for conducting Farm maintenance tasks. (1%)
• Assist in the development of accurate records and inventory of maintenance related supplies. (1%)
• Help educate property guests on the Farm's rule and standard operating procedure. (1%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

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

Experience: 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.

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 without 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.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• 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.
• Must be able to manage time and coordinate schedules to maximize efficiency.

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 provides gloves, hard hat, 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 physical dexterity required for lifting, moving, standing, walking for significant periods of time. 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.

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