Facilities & Maintenance Manager

Facilities And Maintenance ManagerCompensation: $75,000-$85,000 annually, commensurate with experience Benefits: PTO and Sick Time; Full Medical, Dental, Vision, and RetirementSchedule: Primarily weekdays; evenings/weekends for urgent needs or seasonal work as required Reports to: Operations and Special Projects Lead; day-to-day partnership with Farm + Land Steward, Program Team Budget Size: $2M+ (and growing substantially year over year)About FoodWhat?!FoodWhat is a youth empowerment and food justice organization. At FW, youth build relationships with land, food, and each other in ways that cultivate their empowerment, liberation, and well-being.FW exists to serve youth struggling with the legacy of injustice, poverty, and racism. We are a safe space where youth cultivate their power and well-being through organic farming, nourishing meals, and loving community. We are unique as a year-long, depth-focused, farm-based learning model that invites youth to grow as stewards of their food system and community. Youth are strengthened by healthy food access, paid job training, environmental connectedness, and socioemotional support.Who We ServeWe work in Santa Cruz County with high-school-aged, system-impacted and other struggling youth and program alumni. This includes youth who are: low-income, from farmworker families, experiencing mental health challenges, in the child welfare (foster care) system, housing insecure, food insecure, engaged in the criminal justice system, identify as LGBTQIA+, and young parents—all of whom experience challenges and are building resilience.Role SummaryFoodWhat recently purchased a 5.25 acre property to build what we're calling "Homebase" – a space that will hold the FoodWhat Farm, provide beautiful open space, and include facilities for youth and community access. This role is centered on Homebase.We've created a new staff position, seeking a Facilities and Maintenance Manager to play a significant role stewarding this land and all related facilities. This person will be a hands-on, highly-engaged, and multi-talented generalist who keeps our land, buildings, systems, and tools safe, functional, accessible and welcoming—so youth, staff and community can thrive here. This person brings broad, practical skills (construction, light electrical, plumbing, irrigation, fencing, basic HVAC, vehicle/tractor upkeep), offers insight early in planning (not just "taking work orders"), and collaborates across the ecosystem—especially with our Farm + Land Steward, program team, and Operations and Special Projects Lead.At times, the person in this role will invite or supervise youth to join an appropriate facilities project to meet youth development goals (with staff support and safe scopes). This person notices what needs attention, creates their own priority lists, and escalates when needed. They know when to DIY and when to bring in subs/contractors—ideally tapping a local network in Watsonville/Santa Cruz/Monterey County.This role is not just about fixing/maintaining things. It's about caring for and contributing to the space that holds youth and community. It is hands-on, relational, and rooted in community love. If you are someone who sees a broken board in the youth workshop area and thinks "this deserves to be better for the youth who will use this space," we want to meet you.Core ResponsibilitiesHands-On Land, Facilities & Equipment (60%)Inspect, maintain, and repair Homebase infrastructure: barn, home, sheds, greenhouse, cooler, roads, access paths, gates, fencing, doors, and locksPerform general maintenance and small repairs: carpentry, light plumbing, light electrical, basic HVAC, door hardware, shelving, benches, tool boards, and safety signageKeep shared spaces clean, safe, organized, and ready for youth programsCoordinate refuse/recycling, cleaning services, bulk material deliveries, and safe storage of materials and consumablesAddress pest issues with the Land StewardPrepare the property for seasonal shifts and maintain emergency suppliesRespond to urgent facilities issues — including after-hours — such as water failures, storm damage, or break-insIrrigation, Water & GroundsMaintain and repair the irrigation system, water lines, faucets, and hose bibs; map shutoffs and create simple documentation for staffProactively address drainage issues; prepare for seasonal rains and winds; manage debris and erosion controlPerform grounds care: mowing, weed management, tree trimming and limbing, path maintenancePerform general well maintenance as neededTools, Equipment, Vehicles & TractorsKeep hand and power tools, shop equipment, tractors, implements, mowers, pumps, and small engines in safe working orderPerform minor repairs and preventative maintenance; coordinate major repairs with vendorsMaintain service logs, warranty and parts records, and maintenance schedules; order parts and consumables responsiblyCoordinate maintenance for non-farm vehicles (trucks, vans); support insurance and compliance documentation as requestedEnsure PPE availability and use in shop and field tasks; maintain tool checkout and labeling systemsSafety & Projects (25%)Lead routine safety walks; identify hazards; propose fixes; close the loop with documentationMaintain compliance with relevant OSHA/EH&S standards: ladders, electrical safety, fuel storage, PPE use, and shop practicesSupport biosecurity practices including cleaning stations and protocols that protect soil, plants, and peopleMaintain first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, and spill kitsWork with the Operations and Special Projects Lead to draft, update, and train staff on safety SOPs related to equipment use, chemicals, youth on worksites, and incident reportingProjects & ImprovementsContribute to scoping, sequencing, and budgeting for small renovations and capital projectsRead simple drawings and plans; flag constructability or code/safety concerns; coordinate with subcontractors and inspectors where neededServe as site liaison for contractors: ensure safe access, staging, cleanup, and punch list sign-offBuild and maintain a bench of local subcontractors from the Watsonville/Santa Cruz areaOversee all on-site construction and contractor activity to ensure a clean, safe presence aligned with FoodWhat's youth-centered cultureSystems, Youth Integration & Communication (15%)Collaborate with the Program Team to design safe, age-appropriate projects where youth can participate meaningfully — such as building benches, installing fencing, or repairing irrigationModel tool safety, teamwork, problem-solving, and care for land and shared spacesSupport reflection and debriefs to improve future youth-integrated work projectsRecognize that participation with youth is not "extra work" — it is core to every staff position at FoodWhat and central to program success and youth ownership of the landWhat You Bring (Qualifications)RequiredExperience maintaining built facilitiesMission alignment with youth empowerment, food justice, and community well-being—and excitement to occasionally engage youth in appropriate, supervised projects.Generalist skill set across multiple trades: construction/carpentry, basic plumbing and electrical, irrigation, fencing, light HVAC checks, tool/vehicle/tractor care.Proven experience diagnosing problems and implementing practical fixes; sound judgment on when to call a proAbility to self-prioritize: notice issues, create and work a list, communicate timelines, and close loops.Comfort working outdoors in all weather, lifting and carrying heavy loads, navigating uneven terrain, climbing ladders, working in tight spaces when required.Valid California driver's license and insurable driving record.Clear, respectful communicator; collaborative team player able to coordinate with program staff and external vendorsStrongly PreferredExperience in agricultural or ranch settings and working familiarity with tractors/implements and irrigation layoutsLocal networks with subs/contractors (Watsonville/Santa Cruz/Monterey County)Bilingual Spanish/English for communicating with youth, families, and contractorsExperience