Facilities Maintenance Lead

Job Description

Facilities Maintenance Lead

Apply to be our next Facilities Maintenance Lead by July 22nd, 2026! The Department of State Lands (DSL) is looking to fill a role at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (SSNERR) on the South Coast overseeing the maintenance and repair of the Reserve’s equipment, grounds, buildings and systems with anything from small in‑house projects to working with multiple contractors and staff.

This position is full‑time, in‑person at the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (SSNERR) in Charleston, Oregon.

The primary purpose of this position is to ensure all Reserve owned facilities are operational and functional for the agency and tenants’ comfort and safety. This includes maintaining all structures, grounds and equipment in support of Reserve programs by performing minor repairs and maintenance, planning and scheduling routine maintenance of building systems and structures and administering contracts with vendors providing building services such as electricians, plumbers, mechanics, etc.

The successful candidate will also lead the division’s Park Ranger Assistants to provide the hands‑on skills, labor, and onsite oversight needed to construct, repair, and maintain Reserve trails, gates, fences, boardwalks, and other facility structures that support research and educational programs, implementing approved designs and material specifications to ensure facilities remain safe, functional, and accessible. This position serves as safety coordinator for the Reserve – by inspecting grounds for fire, general safety, and security and by informing others of safety requirements.

This position will report directly to the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (SSNERR) located in Charleston, OR (Coos Bay county). This is a full‑time, permanent position represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Much of the work is in office and in the field, performing duties throughout buildings, mechanical rooms, utility spaces, and outdoor areas in varying weather conditions. The role requires regular walking, standing, bending, climbing stairs or ladders, and working around facility systems such as HVAC units, pumps, electrical panels, water and septic systems, fire extinguishers, and vehicles. Work may involve exposure to noise, dust, heat, cold, and confined spaces, with required use of appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with OSHA and agency safety procedures.

The position coordinates with contractors and staff on scheduled maintenance and may occasionally respond to facility issues outside normal hours. The role requires the ability to lift, carry, and move tools, equipment, and materials up to 50 pounds as part of routine maintenance and inspection activities. This position is 100% in‑office and is not eligible for remote or hybrid work.

DSL provides agency‑maintained vehicles, reimbursement for field gear, and travel expenses for authorized, on‑the‑job travel and fieldwork.

• Maintain all DSL/Reserve owned facilities located in Charleston, OR to include the Visitor Center, Maintenance compound, and Spruce Ranch housing by performing or arranging for repair, maintenance or installation of equipment and systems as needed.
• Develop, maintain and implement regular maintenance schedules for building systems including HVAC, water, septic, solar and security alarms.
• Develop maintenance and capital project scopes by assessing facility needs, preparing statements of work, and coordinating with contractors or technical staff.
• Identify when issues exceed routine maintenance and submit recommendations to Reserve management for prioritization and funding consideration.
• Administer maintenance service contracts by coordinating work orders with building maintenance contractors, reviewing completed work, and maintaining required documentation of maintenance activities.
• Develop and implement facility maintenance procedures by recommending routine maintenance practices for management review, including systems such as water (DEQ‑approved), septic, fire extinguisher…