Environmental Center Caretaker

POSITION OVERVIEW

The environmental education center caretaker maintains the environmental

ed grounds and all equipment including plants and animals for the schools educational programs. They also perform other tasks assisting the teacher with setting up supervising students and taking down equipment and materials for educational activities.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain gardens and plants daily (planting mulching weed control watering fertilizing etc)

• Daily care of all animals including birds and reptiles (feeding interacting with providing exercise)

• Clean and maintain animal habitats including indoor cages outdoor habitats and pond.

• Maintain benches and walkways throughout the day (blowing leaves hose off/remove animal debris and or pressure washing)

• Be present and visible while students are in the environmental center.

• Keep all sheds clean and organized

• Shop and submit orders for supplies

• Prepare for assist with and take down for special school events Q- if another teacher signs out the EEC for a special event after school is a staff member required to stay and help

• Assist in maintaining the grounds and equipment (inform supervisor if additional outside maintenance is required)

• Assist teacher as instructed

• Preparing the facility including animals and plantsfor various weather conditions by weatherproofing tying down unsecured items moving animals to a safe location etc.

• Pick up trash daily (from ground and trash containers)

• Assist with storm clean-up and restoration

• Work on weekends and holidays as needed for daily animal and plant care.

• Weed and mulch landscape beds

• Remove dead damaged or unwanted tree limbs

• Plant flowers trees and shrubs

• Water lawns landscapes and gardens

• Monitor and maintain plant health

• Preparing outdoor areas for various weather conditions by weatherproofing covering outdoor furniture with tarps tidying down unsecured items etc.

• Pick up trash daily ( from ground and trash containers)

• Assist with storm clean-up and restoration

• Set up and take down for Special Events

• Helping in the environmental education classes as needed. Possible tasks include:

  • taking students to the restroom

  • monitoring students as they move around the center

  • setting up/taking down classroom lesson materials

  • participating in classroom animal encounters

SECONDARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• High school degree or GED equivalent is required

• Bachelors degree or equivalent professional background in environmental or plant sciences an animal-related discipline and/or education preferred.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Self-motivated

• Good communication skills- must have basic communication skills in order to understand job tasks and instructions from your Supervisor

• Must be able to work with minimal Supervision

• Detail oriented

• Ability to prioritize tasks

• Problem-solving ability

• Must be able to multitask

• Meets commitments and completes tasks on time

• Good organization skills

• Excellent time-management skills

• Must have a compassionate and positive attitude

• Exceptional interpersonal skills; ability to facilitate and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Knowledge of gardening techniques and products such as fertilizers and pesticides

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Outside - Extreme/various weather conditions

• Must be able to work with animals and reptiles

• Must be able to work holidays and weekends

• This is a year round position

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work in various/extreme weather conditions

• Ability to lift and move at least 60 pounds or more

• Prolonged periods of walking and/or standing

• Ability to bend kneelstoop climb and reach

BENEFITS

• 100% free tuition for one of the employees eligible children *

• 50% discount for Summer Education for employees eligible children

• Free Day Summer Camp for employees eligible children while working over the summer.

• Free early care & after-care for employees eligible children while working

• Yearly bonuses

• 401K with partial employer match after a year of employment

• Health Dental and Vision insurance

• Supplemental Insurance plans available.

• Pet Insurance options

• Short-term & Long-term Disability options

• Life Insurance at no cost to the employee

• Affordable Company housing when available

* This benefit is based on space availability and child acceptance to the school.