Grounds & Maintenance Worker

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are

Storm King Art Center is a 500-acre outdoor museum located in New York’s Hudson Valley, where visitors experience large-scale sculpture, site-specific commissions, and groundbreaking temporary exhibitions under open sky. Storm King’s unique landscape offers opportunities for the public to experience time outdoors and engage with art in an open and accessible environment, while artists create some of their most ambitious works in conversation with the natural world.

As a member of the Storm King team, you will be part of our mission to protect and celebrate both the creative and the natural world around us. Our team is committed to fostering a diverse, supportive, and inclusive workplace, where every employee can thrive and grow.

Position Summary

Working under the general direction of the Director of Facilities & Conservation, the Grounds & Maintenance Worker works as part of a team responsible for performing skilled grounds maintenance, including mowing, pruning, weeding, planting, fertilizing, and caring for shrubbery and all planting areas. This team also maintains the quality of sidewalks and parking areas by ensuring they are cleared of trash, debris, snow, and ice. This role represents a unique opportunity for someone who has both experience maintaining large outdoor areas as well as the physical desire and ability to execute the work.

The ideal candidate feels a sense of purpose in caring for our unique landscape while maintaining a commitment to personal safety and the wellbeing of everyone on site, including visitors and other staff.

Why Join Us?

At Storm King, we believe in nurturing our people as much as we do our art and land. Here’s what you can expect:

• Collaborative and Inclusive Culture: Work in an environment that values each team member’s perspective and fosters a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration.
• Professional Growth: With a focus on innovation, we support your development through ongoing training, mentoring, and opportunities to enhance your skills.
• Flexibility and Balance: Enjoy a work environment that promotes work-life balance, with flexibility to meet both professional and personal needs.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We offer a generous benefits package that reflects our commitment to the well-being of our team.

The Grounds & Maintenance Worker responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Grounds Maintenance

• Mowing lawns with riding or push mowers
• Trimming and edging around trees and sculptures
• Trimming and removing trees and bushes
• Planting nursery stock with both manual labor and operation of electrically-powered and gasoline-powered equipment and machines
• Use hand and power tools in planting, cultivating, and trimming grounds and landscaping
• Planting trees and shrubbery
• Fertilizing and watering trees and plants
• Remove snow by shoveling and/or operating mechanical snow removal equipment
• Emergency storm response
• Work and travel off site when necessary for the maintenance of other properties

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

• Maintain a clean and orderly environment in workshop and storage area
• Monitor inventory and equipment care
• Safely operate light vehicles such as lifts, riding mowers, sprayers, and golf carts
• Follow all OSHA safety standards associated with the landscape, horticultural, tree and construction industry
• Ensure that grounds and maintenance equipment are operational by performing routine and preventative maintenance and cleaning of tools and machines

Facilities & Conservation Support

• Support with general maintenance of site, including occasionally assisting with repairs & installation of artwork
• Fill out maintenance reports and take photos for documentation purposes
• Assist with the conservation of sculptures and fabrication, installation of exhibitions, and removal of exhibitions pieces both outside and in the indoor galleries
• Support with ad-hoc requests to support Facilities & Conservation as necessary

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in grounds maintenance or landscaping (no prior conservation support experience necessary)
• Experience operating and maintaining heavy machinery, such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, tree chippers, all-terrain forklifts, snow removal vehicles, etc.
• Proficiency in operating groundskeeping equipment, hand tools, power tools, and other machinery (training also provided)
• Valid NYS Drivers’ License required
• Ability to follow both oral and written instructions and communicate effectively with others
• Ability to work both independently and in teams

Working Environment

• Works primarily outdoors
• Ability to maneuver outdoors, in all weather conditions, on 500 acres of hills, grass, and gravel path ways

• Ability to safely climb and complete work from atop a ladder
• Frequent lifting, stooping, or bending

• Ability to work overtime, weekends and holidays as needed
• Ability to lift/move up to 90 lbs. and perform heavy physical labor on a daily basis in all weather conditions
• Boot allowance and uniform provided
• This role is represented by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO and is governed by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between Storm King and CSEA Local 720 (Unit A)

Hours/Schedules

This position is full-time, non-exempt.

Typical work hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm. Schedules may vary based on seasonality and organizational needs.

Benefits and Salary

Storm King Art Center offers a collaborative and supportive environment where employees can thrive. Our benefits package reflects our commitment to work-life balance and includes comprehensive health benefits, retirement savings, and resources to support your well-being.

• Hourly Rate: $25.72 hourly
• Work Environment: Onsite

How to Apply

To be considered for this role, please submit your cover letter and resume. We’re excited to meet individuals who are passionate about creating a positive impact in the workplace and contributing to Storm King’s legacy of art and nature. Only those being considered will be contacted. No phone inquiries, please.

This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position. There may be unplanned activities and other duties as assigned.

Storm King Art Center is dedicated to creating a workplace that reflects our values of accessibility, inclusion, and respect for all. We are an equal opportunity employer and make employment decisions based on merit, without regard to protected characteristics.

Storm King Art Center does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other related consideration.