Farm Facilities & Grounds Maintenance Worker

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.

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.

• 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, 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. (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…