Facilities Coordinator I

About the role

The Facilities Coordinator I position is responsible for performing routine preventative and reactive maintenance in the various protected environments, including greenhouses, shade structures, hoophouses, growth chambers, growtainers and/or other equipment or facilities related to the protected environments, and other campus facilities/equipment. This position is expected to learn basic and routine greenhouse controls and operations and be able to assist in monitoring and programming simple changes. Performs other tasks related to general facilities and operations at the center.

Responsibilities

• Routine and Preventative Maintenance
• Performs routine preventive and reactive maintenance on the greenhouses and related equipment.
• Cleans and sanitizes evaporative cooling pads and systems components.
• Troubleshoots and performs basic and routine repairs and maintenance to fans and pumps such as exchanging belts, tightening belts and changing pumps.
• Greases and lubricates greenhouse equipment such as curtain racks, drives, ridge vents and pad vents.
• Installs and removes shade clothes.
• Performs general repairs and installs new equipment.
• Operates vehicles and farm machinery.
• Greenhouse Controls and Operations
• Learns and performs basic and routine greenhouse controller functions and greenhouse operations.
• Makes simple programing changes to the greenhouse controllers.
• Use of spreadsheets and/or word processor for record keeping.
• IPM, Pesticides and Hygiene
• Pest and disease monitoring and identification. Make recommendations for pesticide applications.
• Maintain a pesticide applicators license: Apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and disinfectants.
• Maintain records, SDS, and inventory of chemicals.
• Assists with Environmental Health and Safety tasks related to hazardous waste storage.
• Specialized Projects & Organic Field
• Assists center programs on an as needed basis.
• Performs duties related to specialized projects.
• Assists with irrigation installation, repair (greenhouse and field) as needed.
• Operates vehicles and farm machinery in performance of duties.
• Prepares and cultivates the organic field, plant cover crops and mow down.
• Maintains records for organic field activity and assists with on-going organic certification.
• Performs basic and routine maintenance on HVAC equipment as needed.
• Maintains a clean and organized work area.
• Other Duties as Assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to obtain a Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicators License within 3-6 months of hire. The individual in this position must complete pesticide license 3b.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 45 days of employment.
• Ability to climb and use a ladder or other aerial equipment in a safe manner.
• Working knowledge of hand tools, power tools, and other equipment used in facilities and greenhouse maintenance.
• Experience working in a greenhouse environment.
• Ability to operate vehicles and farm machinery.
• Ability to communicate professionally (oral and written) and work collaboratively with supervisors and center staff.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as agriculture, biology, or another related field.
• Two years of experience in horticulture, agriculture and/or facilities maintenance with pesticide experience.
• Familiarity with HVAC equipment, specifically air handlers and variable frequency drives.
• Greenhouse controls experience.

Other Requirements

• Ability to use a ladder, work in harsh environmental conditions, dexterity to operate hand and power tools.
• Lifting/moving heavy objects and materials.
• Operates vehicles and farm machinery.
• Work is performed in potentially hazardous situations or involves hazardous materials and/or chemicals.