Maintenance Project Lead, Oliver Kelley Farm

JOB TITLE: Maintenance Project Lead

LOCATION: Oliver H. Kelley Farm 15788 Kelley Farm Road Elk River MN 55330

COMPENSATION: Typical starting range$24.31 - $26.18 hourly

STATUS & HOURS: Full-time project position through September 1 2027. Typical schedule is 40 hours/week daytime hours Monday through Friday as well as every third weekend.

BENEFITS: Eligible to participate in State Employee Group Insurance Program and a retirement program with employer contribution. Generous vacation and sick time accruals with additional paid holidays.

DESIGNATION: Bargaining Unit AFSCME Local 3173

POSTING DATE: February 5 2026

DEADLINE DATE: February 19 2026

TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Societys career center at include a resume and cover letter by the application deadline date.

DESCRIPTION: This position was created primarily to take a lead role in a series of physical building projects that are designed to improve both animal spaces and the visitor experience at the Oliver Kelley Farm. This position will also support daily farm maintenance activities.

SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) Lead implementation of a variety of projects in cooperation with site leadership with support from site staff and any needed vendors; and 2) Support daily farm activities including caring for farm animals and site maintenance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• Three years of farm maintenance experience.

• Demonstrated ability to perform animal care including giving medication and birthing animals.

• Demonstrated experience in farm equipment operation and care.

• At least 1 year of experience in general agricultural groundskeeping and horticultural practices and care.

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative to work independently and as a member of a team and to be self-motivated.

• Demonstrated ability to operate maintain and repair a wide variety of hand and power tools - including scaffolding and rigging equipment and grounds and building maintenance equipment.

• Demonstrated ability to safely and efficiently operate a truck and trailer combined vehicle.

• Experience in facilities maintenance and repair.

• Ability to lift 75 pounds rarely 50 pounds occasionally and 30 pounds regularly.

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time to walk long distances regularly and to perform exterior duties in all Minnesota climate extremes.

• Ability and willingness to climb ladders and enter enclosed spaces.

• Ability to occasionally work 10-hour days.

• Ability to respond to fire or security system alarms at all hours.

• Ability to respond to HVAC system alarms at all hours as part of a three-person rotation.

• Ability flexibility and willingness to work a varied schedule including weekends and holidays.

• Valid drivers license and willingness to travel.

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS IN OR KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Operating a wide variety of hand and power tools including scaffolding and rigging equipment.

• Performing carpentry mechanical painting plumbing and security repairs.

• Performing groundskeeping snow removal de-icing and general horticultural practices and care.

• Demonstrated ability to operate computer-controlled HVAC control systems.

• Demonstrated ability to perform basic non-historic carpentry electrical mechanical painting plumbing and security repairs.

• Demonstrated ability in historic methods and practices of carpentry tasks.

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative to work independently and to be self-motivated.

• Demonstrated ability to repair and maintain historic and modern building structures non-historic building equipment mechanical systems electrical heating and cooling systems furniture fixtures and miscellaneous equipment.

• Working independently and taking individual initiative while also being able to collaborate effectively and contribute positively in a team environment.

• Multitasking working effectively under pressure to meet deadlines prioritizing and adapting to changing priorities.

• Communicating both orally and in writing including giving work direction preparing and delivering reports.

• Computer skills necessary to develop quality documentation.

• Thinking imaginatively and problem-solving.

• Customer service and interpersonal communications skills sufficient to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Methods and practices of mechanical electrical plumbing and painting tasks.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a Minnesota Class B Commercial Drivers License.

• Experience repairing and maintaining historic and modern building structures furniture fixtures and equipment.

• Experience operating and maintaining commercial security and fire alarm systems.

• Experience working at a museum historic site or comparable setting.

• Experience working with historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Properties.

• Knowledge of historic and modern building components related mechanical systems construction methods and architectural and engineering principles.

• Knowledge of the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for the Preservation Rehabilitation Restoration and Reconstruction of Historic Properties.

• Master Carpenter or Master Craftsman certification.

Should you have questions with the application process emailor call MNHS Job Line at .

At MNHS we dont just accept difference we celebrate it we support it and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees our products and services and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum and we seek to recruit develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.