Facilities Maintenance Lead

***Application Deadline: Open Until Filled***

Job Description: The Site Operations team is a crucial, valued part of Farm Sanctuary’s staff and is tasked not only with ensuring our Sanctuary residents have safe and healthy living environments on our 275-acre site, but also with maintaining all buildings, vehicles, and equipment for our staff, guests, and volunteers. The Site Operations Specialist plays an important leadership role on the sanctuary team, independently managing large projects and performing hands-on maintenance and repairs for buildings and equipment at our Watkins Glen location.

Responsibilities:

Project Lifecycle

Independently assess assigned maintenance, repair, installation, construction, and site-improvement needs, including diagnosing the underlying problem and determining the desired outcome.

Develop project plans that identify the recommended approach, scope of work, estimated costs, materials, labor, timeline, safety considerations, and need for contractor or additional staff support.

Research repair methods, replacement options, materials, equipment, and qualified contractors as needed, and present recommendations to the Senior Manager, Site Operations for approval.

Independently organize and complete approved projects with limited day-to-day oversight, including obtaining materials, coordinating schedules and site access, and performing advanced hands-on work.

Request assistance when additional labor or complementary skills are needed and provide project-specific direction to assisting employees without assuming supervisory or performance-management responsibilities.

Monitor project progress, costs, and changing conditions; communicate delays or concerns; and obtain additional approval before making material changes to the approved scope, cost, timeline, or outcome.

Inspect and test completed work, correct deficiencies, restore the work area, close applicable work orders, and document the work performed, final costs, and recommended follow-up.

Technical Maintenance and Problem Solving

Perform advanced maintenance, repair, fabrication, installation, construction, and troubleshooting across multiple Site Operations skill categories, including buildings, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, vehicles, farm equipment, metal fabrication, fencing, animal enclosures, and site infrastructure.

Diagnose complex or recurring problems, evaluate repair and replacement options, and recommend practical solutions that improve safety, reliability, efficiency, or durability.

Conduct preventive-maintenance inspections, identify emerging repair or replacement needs, and maintain accurate equipment, facility, service, and project records.

Safety and Compliance

Perform work in accordance with organizational safety procedures, manufacturer specifications, and applicable requirements, and identify work requiring permits, inspections, licensed professionals, or specialized certifications.

Maintain safe and secure work areas; coordinate with affected teams when projects may disrupt operations or animal care; and promptly correct or escalate unsafe conditions.

Emergency and Operational Support

Participate in assigned on-call coverage, respond to urgent facilities and infrastructure needs, coordinate appropriate internal or outside support, and assist with other Site Operations responsibilities - including animal movement or transportation - when trained, authorized, and operationally necessary.

Essential Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout sanctuary grounds.

Must be able to perform strenuous physical labor and lifting (up to 50 lbs regularly; team-lift heavier amounts regularly)

Must be able to bend, lift, push, stoop, stretch, climb, and crawl and other strenuous physical activities

Must be able to regularly perform job responsibilities work in a variety of weather conditions; the majority of work is done in outdoor setting that is not climate controlled

Preferred Qualifications:

Farm Sanctuary utilizes an internal skill list to assess eligibility for position levels within the team. This includes 160 skills, ranked as basic, intermediate or advanced, across 11 categories. Categories include building, concrete and masonry, electrical, plumbing, small appliances, heating & cooling, vehicles, metal fabrication, fencing, farm equipment, and land/water/other. While members may specialize in specific categories, all team members are expected to gain all basic skills in order to best support the extensive day-to-day needs of the sanctuary and organization.

Demonstrated proficiency utilizing advanced skills in multiple skill categories

Minimum 7 years relevant experience working in several of the following trades: construction, maintenance, repairs, fleet maintenance, and/or HVAC, plumbing or electrical.

Highly self-sufficient, able to complete tasks and projects assigned efficiently and to the highest Farm Sanctuary standards without regular oversight

Professional demeanor and strong communicator, able to support mentoring, supervision and training of Technician-level team members

Highly effective problem-solver, able identify issues and challenges and then provide thoughtful solutions; suggests improvements to processes and procedures

Able to present project proposals, including cost estimates (both internal and through external contractors)

Flexibility and aptitude as a self-starter; ability to multi-task while also being highly detail-oriented

Ability to work well independently, while maintaining appropriate communication with supervisor

Reliable and dependable, with flexibility and willingness to adjust schedule when needed

Alignment with Farm Sanctuary’s values of compassion, understanding, integrity, transformation, and freedom.

Familiarity, commitment to, and experience with the practice of equity and social justice, and the principles embedded in Farm Sanctuary’s mission

We are looking for the best fit for each of our roles, regardless of the type of education or companies in your background, so we encourage you to apply even if your skills and experiences don’t exactly match the job description.

Job Specifications:

Terms of employment : Permanent, non-exempt, hourly, full-time position

Reports to : Senior Manager, Site Operations

Direct reports: No

Location : Watkins Glen, NY

Pay : $28.00-$32.00/hour

Schedule: Weekly assigned work schedule is consistent but flexibility is required, including weekend and holiday availability. Position includes on-call shifts, requiring evening hours for emergencies.

Travel : Limited regional travel, including availability for rare overnight trips, may be required.

Benefits : Competitive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays; generous paid time off; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; 403(b) plan with 3% employer match; flexible spending accounts; long-term disability insurance; free access to the CALM meditation app; and access to the Nivati wellness platform

Farm Sanctuary is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all employees are respected, valued, and feel a sense of belonging. We work hard to provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type. We take our duty seriously to protect employees with regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We believe that our prioritization of diversity, equity, and inclusion is a strength and essential to achieving our mission. A diverse workforce brings many perspectives, ideas, and experiences, leading to more creative and effective solutions to our complex issues. By embracing diversity and creating an inclusive env