Equine Facilities Leader

Alfred University seeks a facilities groundskeeper and maintenance person to assist with the equestrian program and facility. 

The position will maintain the equestrian center facilities and equipment in accordance with identified Alfred University goals to obtain optimum efficiency and economy of operations by performing the following duties personally or through direct supervision of others. The person should have broad experience in farm operations, carpentry, plumbing, repair and maintenance of farm and equine equipment, equestrian grounds maintenance, and the care and handling of horse herds. 

The position will include the ability to operate heavy equipment, tractors, and other equipment. Must be a self-starter and able to work independently. The ability to maintain regular and prompt attendance is essential for the successful performance of this position. Sufficient fitness and strength to work in a physically active setting that may be a high dust environment is required along with the agility and strength to handle ill, injured, or unruly horses.

Salary/Rate: $16.00-$18.00; 35 hours per week

Essential Functions:

• Develops and implements a regular maintenance routine of the equestrian center facilities
• Cooperates with the Director of Equestrian Program to operate the facility at a high standard of health and safety for the horse herd, staff, and students
• As directed, builds, repairs, and installs such items as counters, cabinets, benches, partitions, floors, roofs, fences, and plumbing following verbal or written instructions utilizing the tools of the farm operations, carpentry trade, plumbing trade, and other standard equestrian industry techniques
• May be required to work with a variety of materials in addition to wood, including but not limited to, sheet metal, plastics, and aluminum
• Maintains the maintenance shop, equestrian center facility, and farm machinery
• Communicates clearly and directly with student workers and barn assistants concerning expectations and accountability of facility chores
• Works with the Equestrian Center Barn Manager overseeing barn assistants’ and work study students’ quality of work and work schedules
• Maintains indoor and outdoor arenas to ensure safe footing and dust control
• Works with members of Alfred University’s facilities staff and/or outside contractors on facility repair and maintenance projects at the equestrian center
• Inspects fences on a regular basis to ensure proper safety and security and repairs as necessary
• Inspects automatic watering system(s) on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning and repairs as necessary
•  Keeps inventory and control of tools, equipment, and machinery
• Assists the Director of Equestrian Program with annual budget priorities
• Conducts regular inspections of the facility to determine maintenance needs and recommends priorities for repair based on the nature of the maintenance issue
• Performs additional duties and assists with special projects as assigned

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintains a safe working environment within and around their facilities and associated equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, obtaining Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information pertaining to any hazards associated with their work environment
• Safety: Participate in safety training and comply with safety rules, regulations, and protocols
• Participates in all required assigned trainings
• Effective oral communication skills
• A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and a high degree of cultural competence and respect for a wide range of identities and experience
• Contributes to the overall success of the University by performing other duties as assigned

Environment:

• Personal protective equipment must be worn when required. A respiratory function test and the ability to use respirators may be required
• Stairs and uneven surfaces may be present; artificial lifts, etc. may or may not be available
• The position may require the incumbent to walk outdoors in all types of weather
• The campus is in an area that contains numerous hills and slopes and may not always be fully accessible for mobility impaired individuals
• The job may require long or irregular hours, requires sufficient fitness and strength to carry out
  responsibilities, and the agility and strength to handle ill, injured, or unruly horses, as well as heavy equipment and machinery
• The work setting may be a high dust environment, unheated facility, or a variety of outdoor elements

Qualifications:

• High school graduate or GED required
• Previous experience caring for horses is required
• Working knowledge and ability to perform the physical tasks of farm operations, carpentry, plumbing, and the repair and maintenance of farm equipment is required
• Working knowledge of the math of the carpentry trade is required
• Working knowledge of standard arithmetic computations to calculate the quantity of material and labor required for various farm projects is required
• The ability to read blueprints and interpret building and furniture plans will aid in fulfilling responsibilities
• The ability to use, repair, and maintain the tools, machines, and equipment of an equine farm is required
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds
• Must have the agility and strength to handle ill, injured, or unruly horses
• Must be able to carry out supervisory responsibilities within Alfred University policies
• Must be able to understand and carry out written and verbal instructions
• Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license and the ability to drive a truck and horse trailer

About Alfred University:
Lighting the way for students since 1836.“We've always been a place for makers, especially those who make the future. Our commitment to independent thinking, creativity, academic rigor and community have made us a unique kind of leader since 1836.”  

Alfred University (AU) was founded on principles of social justice in 1836 by liberal, independent thinkers who placed high value on education for all citizens. The University has retained and built upon the strong values of its founders, developing as an institution of national and international renown that is responsive to the needs of contemporary society while remaining consistent with the spirit of its origins. Alfred University is the second oldest coeducational college in the United States as well as one of the earliest nineteenth century colleges to have enrolled African American and Native American students. It has a long-standing history of educating socially conscious students who make a difference in their professions and their communities. 

Over the course of the twentieth century, Alfred University evolved into a complex institution offering a full range of programs in the liberal arts and sciences, art and design, engineering, business, education, counseling, and school psychology to its nearly 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students that live, learn, and play on a 232-acre campus located in an idyllic, creative valley in Western New York. Today, Alfred University focuses on a professional education with an emphasis on APEX (applied and experiential learning program). To learn more, visit alfred.edu. 
 

Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Protected veterans, minorities and women are encouraged to apply.