Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Worker

About the role

The Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Worker supports the United States Fish & Wildlife Service refuge in Vieques, PR. This full‑time position involves maintaining buildings, infrastructure, and natural areas to ensure a safe and functional environment for staff and visitors.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with construction, rehabilitation, and preventive‑maintenance projects at the refuge.
• Load, unload, and move supplies and materials using hand trucks, dollies, and pallets.
• Wash buildings with high‑pressure sprayers and perform basic carpentry, plumbing, and garbage pickup.
• Conduct routine inspections of offices, maintenance buildings, quarters, parking areas, pavilions, signage, and fences.
• Operate USFWS tractors, vehicles, small machinery, and power equipment.
• Perform equipment servicing, fluid checks, lubrication, safety checks, minor repairs, and daily preventative maintenance.
• Maintain written maintenance records for all equipment.
• Use hand tools and power equipment such as hatchets, hand saws, clippers, buffers, grinders, screwdrivers, weed trimmers, low‑pressure sprayers, push and riding mowers, pavement vacuums, wet vacuums, and steam cleaners.
• Cut trees with axes or chainsaws and perform land‑clearing tasks (disking, chopping, mowing, digging, loading, leveling) for trails, firebreaks, roads, and parking lots.
• Conduct regular safety checks and ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Respond to emergency maintenance requests and assist with event setup and takedown.

Required profile

• Positive attitude, strong attention to detail, and clear communication.
• Willingness to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and handle physical labor.

Required skills

• High‑pressure sprayer operation
• Basic carpentry and plumbing
• Tractor and vehicle operation
• Use of hand tools (hatchet, hand saw, screwdriver, etc.)
• Use of power equipment (weed trimmer, low‑pressure sprayer, push and riding mowers, pavement vacuums, wet vacuums, steam cleaner)
• Chainsaw and axe operation
• Equipment maintenance (fluid checks, lubrication, safety inspections, minor repairs)