Grounds and Maintenance Technician

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation • Scottsdale, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

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." 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Benefits

• Paid-time-off package
• Foundation pays up to 90% of monthly health-care premiums (for employee and family)
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability policies
• Long-term disability policies

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED