The Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), based in Hardwick, VT, seeks a Facilities Manager. The CAE Facilities Manager will be responsible for the daily upkeep, physical safety and preventative maintenance of all CAE buildings and equipment. This critical position will manage the physical infrastructure for the Vermont Food Venture Center (VFVC) and our new Yellow Barn Food Hub tenancy serving Farm Connex and administrative offices in a net-zero building design. The Facilities Manager will have a solid understanding of water systems, HVAC, heating, refrigeration/freezers, electrical, plumbing and food safety regulations. The Facilities Manager will be a “first responder” to physical site issues/ issues to support critical operations. This position will work collaboratively with staff across CAE programs and in multiple physical locations to proactively address facility needs and safety regulations.
JOB DETAILS
Position: Facilities Manager
Reports to: Enterprise and Finance Director
Schedule: Monday through Friday, onsite in Hardwick VT, with some evenings/wknd on call time required
Compensation: $65,000 - $68,000/year, full time, 40 hrs a week, exempt
Benefits: Paid Time Off, SIMPLE IRA, Health insurance, Health savings account, Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance, quarterly phone stipend, professional development compensation
Minimum Qualifications (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
Comfort with standard office equipment and software systems (i.e. Microsoft Office and Google Suite)
Ability to be “on call” and respond in person to building, refrigeration or any significant event that may endanger products, people or the physical site.
Robust knowledge/familiarity with warehouse environments, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and building systems, and the ability to perform routine maintenance.
Previous experience managing a building or warehouse infrastructure/freezers and refrigeration.
Experience with budget management and excellent organizational skills.
Project management experience in scheduling jobs, contractors, estimates, and timelines.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Physical Site Management VFVC/Yellow Barn Food Hub (60%)
Create, manage and implement preventive maintenance schedules for all equipment, building systems and pest control for all CAE facilities (VFVC, Yellow Barn, Just Cut Production Kitchen)
Conduct biannual water pumping of holding tanks
Implement any necessary changes or amendments to existing wastewater permits and ensure the facility is operating within the current wastewater permit status
Change filters in all air handling units as necessary and belts/motors/pumps as necessary
Perform monthly boiler swap, schedule preventative maintenance on boilers by technician, and drain sediment trap in the system, maintenance of all heating and cooling systems
Schedule inspections by an HVAC technician as needed
Ensure biannual inspections of compressors and evaporators are scheduled and temperature monitoring is working.
Schedule annual fire alarm and fire extinguisher inspections & sprinkler system inspections
Perform general maintenance for kitchens, production equipment, bathrooms, lighting/electrical outlets, generator, loading docks, pallet jacks, pest control
Develop and implement plans for necessary renovations to VFVC that improve operational efficiency, reduce energy consumption, maintain multipurpose functionality
Administrative Responsibilities (20%)
Maintain excellent records, preventative maintenance schedules, and documentation of critical tasks and procedures
Manage requests for bids, estimates, and details related to managing infrastructure projects
Effectively manage budgets in collaboration with the EFD and Finance Manager
Work proactively and collaboratively with all CAE program staff to find efficiencies and solutions to physical site challenges.
Additional Responsibilities:(20%)
Assist in Just Cut kitchen and warehouse work if an urgent situation requires this
Respond to needs of current tenant Jasper Hill or any future tenants
Manage all exterior grounds maintenance (ie: snow plowing, sanding, mowing)
Support Atkins Field maintenance when needed
Serve on the CAE Safety Committee to assist with all safety and risk management work
Ensure CAE physical sites and vehicles comply with all regulatory agencies and state and federal law.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Physical Demands/lifting requirements:
Moderate-vigorous physical labor (lifting/pushing/pulling up to and >50 lbs with some equipment assistance)
Manually moving product with a hand truck up and down a ramp
Operating a pallet jack, electrical walkie, forklift
High level of safety awareness and detail orientation
Work in cooler, freezer, warehouse and outdoor settings in all weather conditions
Mental demands:
High level of organization and attention to detail
Ability to prioritize and manage complex and developing systems & competing demands
Ability to communicate well under pressure both orally and in writing
Able to think critically and exercise sound judgment when making decisions
HIRING PROCESS
A hiring team of CAE staff will lead the process. Selected candidates will have an initial phone interview, which may be followed by an interview and tour of CAE spaces. Interview questions will be shared ahead of time. CAE is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will provide support in any way to assure everyone's best experience in the hiring process. CAE will take the steps necessary to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations during the interview process and, if hired, subsequent employment. For accommodation inquiries, please email us.
TO APPLY
Email us with your resume, cover letter or letter of interest, and include ‘Facilities Manager’ in your email subject line. We’re interested to hear your thoughts on any life or work experience as it relates to this position. Applicants who go on to interview with us will also be asked to provide references. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Initial interviews will begin by August 12th. Let us know if you have any questions!
Note: CAE is a non-profit organization funded by state and federal grant programs. Because of our grant requirements, all applicants for this position need to fill out a Family Income Survey to be considered. The information you provide is for data collection purposes only and has no bearing on your eligibility for this job.
