Job Summary:

The Building & Grounds Maintenance Technician will maintain the integrity and overall appearance of buildings and grounds at Shadows-on-the-Teche, in accordance with preservation standards appropriate for a National Historic Landmark and National Trust Historic Site. Carry out routine building and grounds maintenance tasks according to prescribed schedules and seasonal needs. Identify need for any non-routine building or landscape maintenance or repairs and consult with Shadows Executive Director and the National Trust Graham Gund Architect to determine appropriate procedures with regard to historic preservation guidelines and standards. Ensure that all grounds and plantings are maintained and presented to the highest professional landscape and horticultural standards, balancing the needs of historic preservation, education, interpretation and visitor safety. The holder of this position will be focused on the integrity and appearance of the site, and on cultivating and coordinating effective business relationships with contractors and vendors conducting work at the property.

Duties:

• Assure security of the site and safety for visitors and staff, through daily building and grounds checks; and provide routine maintenance and repair of interior and exterior of all site structures and their mechanical systems, in a cost-effective manner.
• Handle custodial duties, including cleaning the porches, ensuring garbage and recycling pick up, and caring for public restrooms, plus light carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical work, and regular seasonal tasks such as cleaning gutters and down spouts.
• Provide routine and seasonal maintenance of the historic landscape, including lawns, gardens, trees, pathways, fences, lily/fish pond, and cemetery. This includes such tasks as mowing, raking, leaf blowing, mulching, fertilizing, weeding, pruning, edging, planting, and watering as needed.
• Routinely assess longer term maintenance needs of the landscape and grounds, in order to take action and establish estimates of costs, before system failure or material loss.
• Keep a site maintenance log, and project files for repairs, restoration work, and equipment. This includes documenting projects with photos and written records for grant funded projects.
• Monitor contractors hired to complete maintenance projects and keep photo record of work (before, during, and after) done.
• Operate and maintain the site and maintenance equipment and tools in a manner that is safe and appropriate for employees as well as visitors to the site. Ensure all tools, equipment and machinery are well looked after, properly used, services recorded, maintained, and replacements planned.
• Maintain the gravel pathways and brick walks to ensure visitor safety.
• Maintain inventory of cleaning & maintenance supplies.
• Assist in preparation for and response to extreme weather conditions.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and continuing education sessions.
• Interact with public in polite and helpful manner as necessary.
• Assist with school tours, special events, meetings, and special property use, including set-up, trash removal, visitor safety, security, clean-up, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• At least two years experience working in maintenance or construction related trades and/or in landscape maintenance. Work experience at a historic site or museum is desirable.
• Experience using and maintaining building maintenance tools and landscape maintenance equipment, with knowledge of related safety procedures and guidelines.
• Good organizational skills a must with an ability to prioritize tasks and at the same time be flexible and able to adapt to meet site needs.
• Basic problem solving skills, including issue identification and prioritization. Ability to understand instructions and deadlines in English and execute tasks as assigned, with ability to learn and handle routine tasks without close supervision.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of staff, volunteers, and committee members ensuring cooperation as a site team member.
• Minimum physical requirements include but are not limited to: ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs on a frequent basis and occasionally more; ability to push or pull up to 50 lbs on a frequent basis and occasionally more; ability to climb stairs, bend, squat, kneel, twist/turn, climb, and reach above the shoulder.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Some evening, weekend and holiday work required.
• A willingness to learn and implement museum approved methods for taking care of historic buildings, landscape or collections is mandatory.
• Knowledge of and interest in, and ability to identify plant species in historic landscape a plus.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.

PAY & BENEFITS