Overview
Balarat Outdoor Education Center serves Denver Publics Schools 5th Grade Students for overnight residential field trips. Balarat is seeking a skilled caretaker to help keep Balarat campus, buildings and grounds clean, safe and sanitary and to maintain the natural forestry, ecology and beauty of the Balarat environment.
The Lead Caretaker is Responsible for all aspects of facility care at the Balarat campus, buildings and grounds, which includes 800 acres of land, 12 miles of trails, two miles of roads, 22,000 square feet of heated structures, 28 outbuildings, two high challenge courses and three water systems including 10 wells and three wastewater systems.Lead Caretaker is required to live on site, where housing is provided as part of the job. The Balarat campus is located in the foothills near Jamestown, CO.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Forestry: Trail building and maintenance, erosion control and re-vegetation, weed control, defensible space, and provide fire prevention, readiness and initial response.
Roads: Road maintenance to include snow removal, sanding, ditching, grading, culvert cleanout and replacement and resurfacing. Assist school buses during inclement weather.
Challenge Courses: Maintenance and equipment check and replacement.
Structures: Overall building maintenance, repair and operation to include HVAC systems, basic plumbing and electrical, appliances, roofing, doors, windows, and paint. Completion of maintenance records and schedules. Troubleshoot and schedule service and contractor technicians.
Water Systems/Wells: Responsible for all aspects of water systems, including: routine monitoring and treatment, submitting test samples, keeping maintenance records and schedules, inspections, repairs, scheduling contractors, maintaining required state licensing and reporting.
Wastewater Systems: Responsible for all aspects of wastewater systems, including: routine inspections and maintenance, keeping maintenance records and schedules, scheduling and assisting contractors, maintaining required state licensing and reporting.
Outbuildings: Maintaining all accessory structures to including doors, windows, siding and roofs, also stove cleaning, chimney sweeping, wood stocking and cleaning outhouses weekly.
Janitorial: Assist and oversee all aspects of routine and biannual cleaning of lodges to include floors, walls, fixtures and windows of all bathrooms, dorms, meeting rooms and entries. Order and stock all cleaning supplies and equipment.
Equipment Care and Operation: Basic repair, preventative maintenance and safe operation of all supporting equipment to include: grader, backhoe, dozer, trucks, ORV’s, mixer, chipper and splitters. Small equipment: generators, pumps, chainsaws etc. Keep scheduled maintenance and repair records. Order fuel, parts and supplies. Schedule repairs.
Provide site project management including guidance, training and scheduling for the Assistant Facility Caretaker and Helper roles.
Qualifications:
High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
7+ years of trade and maintenance related experience
Required Skills:
Must have or obtain the following certifications within 12 months of hire:
Small Systems Waste Water
Water Operator Class C or higher
Wilderness First Responder Certification.
Must have a valid driver's license and meets District insurability requirements.
Must be able to live on the Balarat Facility and share on call duties
Preferred Skills:
Demonstrated knowledge of heating and cooling systems, basic plumbing, basic electrical, carpentry, painting, roofing, blueprint reading and design, welding and metal work, heavy equipment operation and repair, small engine repair, appliance repair, landscape /arboreal, firefighting techniques, and basic computer skills
The ability to take responsibility for one’s own performance
Effective communication skills
Strong attention to detail
High degree of integrity in handling confidential information
About Balarat Outdoor Education
Balarat Outdoor Education is a part of Denver Public Schools and offers a range of programs that provide a balance of hands-on science activities, living history units, field-based exploration, and adventure programming. We operate throughout the school year, offering two and three-day student residential programs, in addition to day trips. Balarat excursions have become an integral part of the Denver Public Schools’ curriculum. Balarat serves over 430 classes, or approximately 10,000 students, each year and has been part of Denver Public Schools since 1969.
