Sexton / General Maintenance

Job Description

Job Description

Role Overview

St. James Episcopal Church is seeking a reliable and proactive general maintenance person (“Sexton”) to serve as a caretaker of our church facilities and grounds. More than just a maintenance role, the Sexton provides vital stewardship over our physical resources, ensuring the operational integrity of the building through active repairs, maintenance projects, and preventative care to ensure the longevity of our church home. St. James is an equal opportunity employer.

Under the leadership of the Junior Warden and Senior Warden, and in partnership with the St. James Buildings and Grounds Committee, this hands-on role involves routine maintenance, groundskeeping, and coordination with outside vendors and church volunteers. By managing these tasks with diligence, the Sexton ensures the church is ready for use today and preserved as a faithful legacy for the future.

Candidates do not need to be Episcopalian or church goers, but must be comfortable working in a church setting. The successful candidate will undergo a mandatory background check and Safe Church Training.

High-Level Expectations

• Make repairs, perform tasks and complete projects as assigned: These tasks will be prioritized with the Junior Warden based on urgency and budgeting based on the existing master project schedule.
• Proactive Maintenance: Perform regular inspections of all rooms and equipment to address issues before they become major problems; record to the Master Project List and report findings.
• Coordination: The Sexton will be the primary onsite contact for vendors, i.e. lawn care, fire inspections, hvac maintenance & repair, etc.

Detailed Responsibilities & Tasks

• Tasks as assigned weekly by the Junior Warden from the Master Project List
• Oversee the church Columbarium grounds; this task requires the digging of burial grounds and required record keeping for cremated remains that are handled by Church personnel.
• Replace light bulbs and paper products (toilet paper, paper towels) as needed
• Work on tall ladders as needed
• Maintain settings of thermostats and light timers
• Toilet and drain maintenance as required
• Painting as needed
• Window washing per the schedule
• General building cleaning / room maintenance, i.e. regular inspection of all rooms and spaces, cleaning tables, walls, carpet stains, dusting, bathroom refresh, etc.
• Oversee the weekly outside cleaning service.
• Setup our portable sound system as required for church activities
• Kitchen appliance maintenance
• Change monument sign as needed
• Irrigation setup, maintenance and repair
• Grounds maintenance: Trash pickup, raking leaves, tidying beds, maintaining weeds, monitor rodent activity
• Coordinate Cleanup Days and Power Hours with volunteers from the church to encourage stewardship of our church home
• Ensure building supplies are in stock, i.e. paper produces, light bulbs. Order and purchases will always have an approval before purchase and those purchases will be within the budgeted amounts.
• Wash kitchen towels and building maintenance rags
• Setup and configuration of spaces for specific church events
• Source equipment and parts from approved vendors as needed
• Monthly report to the Junior Warden and Buildings & Grounds Committee
• Annual report for the Church Annual Reports
• Other job specific appropriate tasks as required

Qualifications & Skills

• Proof of Eligibility for Employment in the United States
• Experience :
• • Previous experience in a trade or job that demonstrates ability to perform the duties of the job.
  • Previous janitorial or facilities maintenance experience is preferred but not required.
• Physical Ability: Able to lift up to [50] lbs, climb ladders, and remain on your feet for extended periods.
• Reliability / Dependability : Dependability is key to this role. Tardiness/excessive absences will result in termination of employment.
• Sensitivity : A respectful, approachable demeanor and understanding of the nuances of working at a church and across a group of people that are staff, volunteers and building users.
• Training :
• • Successful completion of “Safe Church” training (paid time)
  • OSHA (or other) Safety Training a plus is preferred but not required