Property Manager for Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center

October 29, 2024

Goshen College is a Christian liberal arts institution that prepares students to thrive in life, leadership and service. We strive to model an inclusive community committed to transformative justice, peace, and sustainability. A respect and appreciation of the Anabaptist-Mennonite faith perspective and practices, and a commitment to the mission, vision, core values and community standards of Goshen College, are important for teaching and administrative faculty members.

Job Summary:

Are you a mechanically-minded person with experience operating and repairing tractors, front end loaders, commercial grade mowers, truck-mounted snow plows, chainsaws and other small engine equipment? Do you have carpentry skills? Do you have a passion for being in nature and sharing the outdoors with others? Do you find fulfillment in working as part of a diverse mission-driven team? If so, the Property Manager position at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College may be the career that you’ve been searching for.

Located in southwest Noble County, Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center provides immersive environmental education programs for all ages, spaces for people to enjoy and connect with nature, and habitat that contributes to the conservation of Indiana’s biodiversity. Our Property Manager plays a critical role in ensuring that we can fulfill this mission. This person is responsible for ensuring that all machinery, vehicles, and heavy equipment at Merry Lea (e.g., trucks/cars, commercial grade mower, tractors, front end loader, chainsaws, etc.) remain in good working order and are being used safely by other staff members and interns. Experience operating and repairing a variety of vehicle types, heavy machinery, and small engines is a must for this position. The Property Manager is also accountable for the maintenance, and when necessary repair, of all non-natural outdoor spaces (e.g., turf lawns, roadside firebreaks, access lanes, trails, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots) and non-building structures (e.g., bridges, boardwalks, benches, tables, kiosks, shelters, docks). Further, the Property Manager is accountable for the overall security of the Merry Lea property and its buildings, including seeking resolutions related to hunter and other forms of trespass and engaging law enforcement when necessary. The person in this position must have excellent communication skills and a willingness to work collaboratively with a diverse group of colleagues. It is imperative that they represent the values of our organization when interacting with the public.

This is a full-time position with a wage of $20.60 to $21.60 per hour plus full benefits. On-site housing may be negotiable.

Essential Functions:

A. Use and maintenance of vehicles, equipment and machinery – 55%

Operates and maintains tools, machinery, vehicles and equipment (e.g., mowers, tractors, front end loader, vehicle-mounted plows, grader) to fulfill essential functions of this position and in support of other program area staff

Conducts or arranges for periodic maintenance and repair of vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment, including those used on the Merry Lea Teaching Farm
Periodically trains other staff members, interns and collegiate students in the proper and safe use of vehicles, machinery, tools and equipment, and responsible for ensuring that others are utilizing these resources in a manner that ensures personal safety and equipment longevity
Maintains adequate inventory of relevant parts, supplies and materials
Ensures supply of gasoline and diesel fuel remains available for Merry Lea vehicles
Ensures that all Merry Lea vehicles are periodically cleaned

B. Maintenance of non-natural outdoor spaces and non-building structures – 30%

Maintains roadside firebreaks and access lanes through periodic mowing and brush hogging in cooperation with Natural Resources Manager
Maintains trails, including removing obstructions and hazards
Maintains driveways, sidewalks and parking lots, including removal of snow and ice
Constructs, or arranges for construction of, and maintains trail structures (e.g., bridges, boardwalks, benches, tables, kiosks, shelters) and docks
Ensures autumn leaf fall is removed from lawns and trails
Assists with natural habitat management activities (e.g., prescribed burning)
Assists in identifying and maintaining property boundaries
When needed, assists in mowing of turf lawn areas and trails
When needed, assists in blowing off debris from sidewalks and hard surface program areas

C. Program support – 5%

Designs, constructs and installs projects that support preK-12, collegiate and public programs
Occasionally assists in setup and cleanup for special events
Periodically assists in processing firewood for program needs
Arranges for the availability of firewood and picnic tables for program needs
Procures straw/hay bales for program needs
Assists farm staff with brush hogging and tilling of Merry Lea Teaching Farm areas
Maintains fencing

D. Administrative functions – 5%

Collaborates with other Merry Lea operations staff to ensure alignment and integration of property management efforts with overall organizational strategic goals
Provides input into the development and periodic updating of annual project and task lists
Controls and manages keys to Merry Lea buildings and facilities
Purchases parts, tools and equipment required to complete essential functions of this position
Establishes, charges and monitors vendor accounts as necessary
Responsibly manages Goshen College credit card account by recording account-coded charges and submitting monthly reports and receipts to the Goshen College accounting office
Assists with property management-related budget management
Develops cost estimates related to equipment purchases/repairs and special project implementation
Assists in development of annual operational budget
Assists in the licensing and registration of vehicles, trailers and boats

E. Other responsibilities – 5%

Represents Goshen College and Merry Lea organizational values and policies when interacting with students, visitors, employees, volunteers and community members
Provides after hours and weekend on-call facility support for students in residence at least 2 weeks per month
In cooperation with Natural Resources Manager and Land & Facilities Management Assistant, provides or arranges for control of pest species (e.g., groundhogs) especially when buildings and/or facilities are impacted
Serves as primary point of contact for issues related to security of the property and its structures/buildings, including seeking resolutions related to hunter and other forms of trespass and engaging law enforcement when necessary; maintenance of good relationships with neighboring landowners, local law enforcement, and Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers is imperative
Keeps Shew maintenance area and buildings clean and organized
When needed, assists with maintenance, repair and minor renovation of buildings and their operating systems
Assists with the disposal of trash and recyclables
When needed, assists with light and occasionally heavy custodial work including stripping and waxing floors
Actively participates in Merry Lea staff meetings
Completes other tasks as assigned

Education and/or Experience:

High school diploma required
Related vocational training and/or 5+ years of experience relevant to essential job functions required

Required Skills

Operation and maintenance of tools and machinery required to fulfill job duties, including chainsaws, commercial grade mowers, vehicle-mounted snow plows, snow blowers, tractors, front-end loaders and other heavy equipment
Diagnose problems with and repair of vehicles, heavy equipment, machinery and small engines
Experience pulling and backing trailers
Basic carpentry
Ability to problem solve, take initiative, collaborate, and make sound decisions necessary to fulfill job duties and meet organizational objectives
Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
Exceptional project and time management skills
Demonstrated commitment to working with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds and experiences
Must be adept in understanding perceptions of surrounding community members and working through possible misunderstandings
Strong commitment to Merry Lea’s mission and Goshen College’s values
Self-motivation

Preferred Skills

Advanced carpentry
Ability to assist with prescribed habitat burning
Landscaping
Working knowledge of computer word processing and database programs
Knowledge and experience of contract management, budgeting and reporting

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

Driver’s License
First Aid/CPR preferred

Physical Demands:

Bending, reaching, pulling, lifting. Maintain alertness for extended periods of time and under varied weather conditions. Make quick and clear-minded judgements when situations require.

Work Environment/Environmental Conditions:

Generally works alone, but with other staff and/or volunteers on certain tasks. There are planned opportunities to socialize and interact with all ML staff. Weather conditions or programming needs may result in last minute schedule changes or pressure to complete tasks quickly, yet safely.

This position involves medium to heavy work involving travel by moving equipment and vehicles. Travel may be in wet and snowy conditions. Climbing ladders and working on rooftops will be involved.

Use of moving equipment and sharp tools. Potential exposure to fumes from engines, chemicals, and petroleum. Potential exposure to smoke and heat from open burning. Machinery noise. Potential exposure to poison ivy, biting/stinging insects, and pollen. Potential hazard from stones, sticks, and leaves ejected from machinery. Potential hazard from icy and muddy roads, falling limbs, lightning, and sewer gas.

All of the essential job functions are subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicated the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. This position description may change at the option of the supervisor (or department head). Any major change will result in the position being reviewed for reclassification.

Benefits

Health insurance (employee premium 100% covered)
Dental, vision, life and LTD insurance
Retirement plans
Tuition discounts
Free employee membership to Recreation/Fitness Center
Flexible Spending Account
Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave

See our website for additional benefits information.

About Goshen College

Goshen College is a nationally-ranked college and Hispanic-Serving Institution in Indiana renowned for its distinctive hands-on, real-world educational opportunities, and its commitment to creating positive change in the community and the world. The college offers over 65 undergraduate areas of study; as well as best-in-class graduate programs in nursing, business administration, social work and environmental education. This caring, safe and diverse campus prides itself on providing excellent academic programs that connect arts with sciences, and theory with practice — exposing students to multiple perspectives and encouraging them to think deeply, live creatively and lead purposefully.

The college is located in the City of Goshen in the heart of Elkhart County, within several hours of Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit, Residents of Goshen enjoy a culturally diverse small-town atmosphere with an active arts community, a vibrant and entrepreneurial downtown, the Maple City Greenway network of bicycle paths and affordable housing prices. Learn more at www.goodofgoshen.com.

How to Apply:

Please be sure to provide all required materials noted below, as incomplete applications may not be considered. Application materials may be attached to the Professional Staff and Staff Application Form or sent electronically to hr@goshen.edu.

Required:

Complete the online Professional Staff & Staff Application Form
Cover letter
Resume
List of 3 professional references with contact information

Review of applications will begin immediately with a preferred start date of 12/16/2024.

E-Verify Statement of Participation

Goshen College participates in E-Verify. If you are hired, we will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Goshen College Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Goshen College is an equal opportunity employer, committed to enhancing diversity across the institution. Goshen College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or any legally protected status. To protect the welfare and provide for the safety of the students, employees, visitors, and resources of Goshen College, background checks are conducted by the Office of Human Resources on all new and re-hired employees.

Human Resources
Goshen College
1700 S. Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526-4795

E-mail: hr@goshen.edu
Telephone: (574) 535-7111