Seasonal Facilities & Grounds Assistant

Seasonal Facilities & Grounds Assistant

Position/s available immediately

About Mohonk Preserve:

Located in the beautiful Hudson River Valley, Mohonk Preserve is New York’s largest nonprofit nature preserve. Our mission is to protect the northern Shawangunk ridge and inspire people to care for, enjoy, and explore the natural world. We manage over 8,000 acres of mountain cliffs, forests, fields and streams and welcome over 300,000 members and visitors each year who come to hike, run, rock climb, boulder, bike, cross-country ski, snowshoe and enjoy and experience nature.

Based in a vibrant university community, Mohonk Preserve offers a great working environment in one of New York’s greenest counties, with all-season recreation, access to Preserve lands, a dynamic, committed team of conservation professionals and long legacy of conducting ecological research and environmental education. The Preserve is also the home of one of America’s premier rock-climbing destinations.

About the Position:

We have a strong and collaborative Land Management & Facilities team that maintains Mohonk Preserve lands and infrastructure while balancing our commitment to conservation with recreational access. The team manages over 8,000 acres including 30 miles of historic carriage roads, 40 miles of trails, five trailheads, a visitor center, and many historic and recreational facilities. The critical work of our team facilitates access to healthy outdoor activities and conserves the natural environment for future generations. We are seeking dependable team members who love working in the outdoors.

The Seasonal Facilities & Grounds Assistant (SFGA) helps to maintain the facilities and grounds of the Preserve. The SFGA is charged with assisting with the maintenance of the Preserve’s buildings, infrastructure, trailheads, carriage roads, trails, and open fields. The SFGA is responsible for completing all assigned tasks with minimal supervision in a professional manner. The expected work time is seasonal, 30-40 hours per week April through November.

Compensation:

  Starting wage: $17 – $19 per hour

Essential Functions:

• Grounds maintenance includes but not limited to mowing, trimming, edging, path maintenance,weeding, raking, pruning, snow/ice removal, and other seasonal grounds maintenance tasks.
• Perform a wide variety of maintenance duties related to landscaping and stone roads such as moving equipment and machinery, mowing, cutting of brush, trees, and/or repair outdoor structures.
• Inspect tools and equipment on a regular basis to ensure the safety of self and others. If applicable, perform preventive maintenance on equipment and tools associated with assigned tasks.
• Maintains public access areas including litter pick-up and garbage removal. Assist with the clean-up of trash and debris from building exteriors, parking lots and grounds.
• Cleans Visitor Center, restrooms, and trailhead CXT’s (pit toilets) on a routine schedule.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Combination of training and experience that meets the outlined skills and experience, or High School Diploma, or equivalent and 1 to 2 years of experience in labor-intensive maintenance work
• Valid NYS Driver License

Desired Skills and Experience:

At Mohonk Preserve, our priority is finding the best candidate for the job. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the qualifications or have a less traditional background.

• Knowledge, experience, and skills in facility maintenance, landscaping, and grounds maintenance
• Knowledge, experience, and skills in gravel road and trail construction and maintenance
• Experience in the operation of landscaping equipment such as a zero-turn mower, tractor, chainsaw, chipper, backhoe/front-end loader, grader, and other related equipment 
• Experience & ability in safely using small landscape tools (mowers, chainsaws, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of building maintenance and use of common tools
• Organized, dependable, reliable, and punctual
• Polite, “people first” customer service & communication skills, along with attention to detail, are of critical importance
• Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license; capable of driving a manual transmission; ability to pass driving record and general background check
• Ability to perform strenuous labor for the duration of the workday
• Ability to work alone for extended periods of time outdoors in all types of weather conditions
• Committed to Mohonk Preserve’s mission and values
• Has knowledge of/or willing to learn the Mohonk Preserve and Mohonk Mountain House carriage road and trail network
• Computer skills – ability to use email, Microsoft Office 365 applications, remote work platforms (e.g., Teams, Zoom)
• Have a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) to ensure that all people are respected and welcomed at the Mohonk Preserve. This includes participating in ongoing education and other work the organization undertakes to develop and incorporate these principles
• Willing to work irregular hours including weekends and holidays

Bonus skills:

• Chainsaw certification a plus
• Minor carpentry, plumbing and general building and equipment maintenance skills
• Bi-lingual

Location:

Mohonk Preserve’s main offices are located at our Visitor Center in Gardiner, NY. This position is primarily an on-site, outdoors position. Standard working hours, with some flexibility, to be coordinated with supervisor. Mohonk Preserve is a smoke-free campus.

Benefits:

• Direct Payroll Deposit
• Potential for flexible hours
• Sick time/Overtime
• Mohonk Preserve membership for duration of position
• Access to lands and some activities of Mohonk Mountain House resort

Eligibility for certain benefits is dependent upon a variety of factors including employment status.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• May use a computer and keyboard
• Must be able to hike at least five miles with some elevation gain while carrying 20 pounds
• Frequently works outdoors for extended periods performing strenuous physical labor in all weather conditions
• Standing, walking, hiking, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, lifting, carrying equipment, negotiating step ladders, lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Occasional events indoors or outdoors outside standard office hours and in other locations around the Preserve

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Mohonk Preserve is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to creating an inclusive culture where employees from diverse backgrounds can thrive and support our mission. Successful candidates will be equity-minded and committed to furthering our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice (DEIJ) goals. Mohonk Preserve encourages applications from women, minorities and/or other underrepresented groups.

This job announcement is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position.  There may be unplanned activities and other duties assigned.