Description
The Putney School is seeking a full-time
Building and Grounds Technician to begin working as soon as possible. The Building and Grounds Technician ensures that all academic buildings, athletic facilities and grounds are safe and fully functional while seeing to various needs on campus on a daily basis. The Facilities Department is a small, hardworking team that relies on good communication and cooperation to maintain facilities ranging from historic to state of the art.
The Building and Grounds Technician reports to the Facilities Supervisor and Director of Facilities and is a 12-month, in-person, non-exempt position.
About The Putney School: Putney is a progressive boarding school for 220 hardworking and curious students in a beautiful corner of Southern Vermont. Since 1935, Putney has prepared intellectually curious, community-minded students by joining time-tested educational principles and cutting-edge progressive teaching methods. The school blends high expectations and unique levels of student agency so that they achieve college success and grow into inspiring and well-rounded people. Hands-on learning is embedded in the school’s culture: a working dairy farm, expansive arts offerings, a robust work program, miles of wooded trails, and large solar arrays serve our curriculum.
The school cultivates and sustains an educational community that values difference. Community members explore how they contribute to building a home at Putney where everyone, especially those from historically marginalized populations, can honor their individual racial, gender, political, ethnic, and socio-economic identities. Putney recognizes this is difficult, communal work, and the school supports all its employees in developing this critical skill set.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform preventative maintenance, inspections, repairs, and replacements on facilities and equipment.
- Diagnose and repair HVAC systems, mechanical, carpentry, roofing, flooring and related building systems.
- Troubleshoot electrical systems, wiring, outlets, controls and related components.
- Repair plumbing fixtures, piping, valves, leaks, drains and related systems.
- Maintain security and fire alarm systems.
- Maintain school grounds, landscaping, trees, shrubs and outdoor facilities.
- Perform snow removal and emergency response protocols (including winter road maintenance).
- Operate vehicles, trucks, tractors, snowplows, snow blowers, salt spreaders and other maintenance equipment.
- Perform room setups, breakdowns, and temporary facility needs for school assemblies, athletic games and special campus events.
- Serve on a rotating night and weekend on-call schedule to manage urgent campus maintenance issues, utility failures, or severe weather emergencies.
- Attend meetings and complete training classes as required.
- Work closely with students in Putney’s work program and facilitate afternoon activities.
- Assist with loading and unloading deliveries and moving furniture, supplies and equipment around campus as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Salary range of $50,000 to $60,000 depending on qualifications and experience.
- Health, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability, and optional group insurance plans, HSA/FSA options, paid time off, and 403(b) retirement plan contributions.
- Annual professional development opportunities.
Requirements
- High School diploma (or equivalent) and at least 3 years of experience are required; vocational training preferred.
- General knowledge of plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and equipment are desired; experience in any facet of construction will be considered.
- Ability to troubleshoot equipment, operate maintenance tools and equipment, and use computer software for work orders and records.
- Ability to communicate effectively and work independently and as part of a team.
- Must have a valid driver’s license (CDL is a plus).
- Must be able to lift up to 80 pounds with assistance, work from ladders and lifts, stand for long periods, and perform duties indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions. Exposure to equipment, machinery, heights and other maintenance-related hazards may occur (i.e. dust, fumes, odors, noise, crowds, etc.).
- Work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching or stooping.
- Must be able to work closely with high school students and work collaboratively with coworkers, faculty, and administration.
- Prior experience at a boarding school, college campus, hospitality venue, or multi-family residential property is highly preferred.
- Ability to pass a criminal background check and authorization to work in the United States are required.
