Grounds and Maintenance Technician

Description Come join the team at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West - a World Heritage site and one of the most frequently visited travel destinations in Arizona! Sharply focused on ensuring our local, regional, national, and international audiences feel welcome to explore, engage in, understand and financially support the historic spaces of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin and Taliesin West, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation inspires people to discover and embrace an architecture for better living through meaningful connection to nature, the arts and each other. In Wright's own words, our vision is "to make life more beautiful, the world a better one for living in, and to give reason, rhyme and meaning to life."

Position Summary:

The Grounds and Maintenance Technician plays a vital role in the upkeep and maintenance of the grounds, landscapes and mechanical systems around site at Taliesin West, a National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Positioned on 495 acres of preserved Sonora desert at the foothills of the McDowell Mountain Preserve, Taliesin West was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1937 and served as his winter home, studio and architectural campus. Today, Taliesin West remains an active campus operated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. It functions as a historic site, educational center and public attraction, offering tours, programs, and events while preserving Wright's legacy. In this role, attention to detail, adaptability, creative problem solving and a strong work ethic are essential to support both the preservation of historic grounds and the day-to-day operational needs of the site. The technician would work as a part of a team or sometimes independently in a dynamic outdoor environment where conditions and priorities can shift with the needs of the Preservation department and public programming.

Essential Functions:

Prepares the grounds, landscapes and walkways for daily tours, events and other public programs. Assists with the day-to-day routine maintenance of grounds, landscapes, facilities and systems as directed by supervisor. Maintains and monitors site irrigation systems including inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing lines, valves, timers and emitters to ensure efficient water distribution across landscape areas. Regularly adjusts watering schedules and manually waters plants as needed to support the health and preservation of native and cultivated vegetation throughout the site. Performs turf maintenance including weed eating, edging, spraying, mowing, and blowing of grass areas to maintain a clean, well-groomed appearance of visitor-facing grounds for public tours, events and other daily programing. Maintains and repairs outdoor lighting systems across the site, including inspecting fixtures, replacing bulbs and components, and adjusting timers. Maintains and troubleshoots site HVAC systems by performing routine maintenance including replacing air filters, cleaning outdoor unit coils and clearing of condensation lines. Responds to maintenance requests from a variety of facility users including Foundation staff and guests. Works independently and collaboratively on assignments that can be complex in nature under the direction of Construction and Facilities Supervisor. Strong problem solving skills and initiative is required. Documents tasks images or schematics under the direction of the Preservation Manager. Works within all types of weather conditions predominately in outdoor settings. Other duties as assigned This position is a full-time hourly position with a target rate of $20.50/hour, plus comprehensive benefits including a paid-time-off package. The Foundation pays up to 90% of monthly health-care premiums (for employee and family) and enrolls all regular full-time employees into our life insurance, short-term and long-term disability policies at no cost to employees.

Salary Description:

$20.50 per hour

Requirements Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED, preferably with apprentice or journeyman experience or related professional experience. Ability and interest in learning and performing skilled trades such as commercial grounds landscaping, landscape lighting, landscape irrigation, mechanical systems, electrical, plumbing, painting, carpentry, tile, drywall, etc. Desire to learn and grow under the direction of and in collaboration with experienced leaders, supervisors and coworkers. Must have good customer service ability including strong interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to foster cooperative relationships with staff throughout the organization. Ability to use basic and precision hand tools and measuring instruments. Ability to read, write, and interpret documents such as safety regulations, operating and maintenance guides, and procedure manuals. Ability to understand and follow Foundation and departmental policies and procedures. Demonstrated flexibility and ability to work effectively with shifting priorities when unexpected events or issues arise. Availability to work up to 40 hours a week as scheduled and occasional weekends as required by supervisor. Valid AZ driver's license.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and consistently talk or hear; and rarely smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. Taliesin West is located on several hundred acres of natural desert vegetation with occasional exposure to wildlife native to the area. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.