Groundskeeper/ Custodian
1 day ago
Manhattan, New York
Job Title: Type: Full-time (On-site) Start: May 2026 About Solar One Solar One is a 501c(3) organization that empowers communities in the New York City metro area to thrive in the face of the challenges brought on by climate change and embrace a world that is low-carbon, resource-efficient, and socially inclusive. Initially founded in 2004 to manage Stuyvesant Cove Park, a two-acre native plant park and a small environmental education center, Solar One has grown into an award-winning organization with a thriving array of programs. Solar One's mission is to design and deliver innovative education, training, and technical assistance that fosters sustainability and resiliency in diverse urban environments. We empower learning that changes how people think about energy, sustainability, and resilience by engaging and educating diverse stakeholders and beneficiaries. Job Summary The Groundskeeper/Custodian supports the Horticulture, Events, and Education teams by maintaining the Solar One Environmental Education Center and Stuy Cove Park, located along the East River between 18th and 23rd streets. The Education Center is a 1,200-square-foot classroom/event space with a capacity of 86 people. Stuy Cove Park is a 1.9-acre (approximately 7,700 sq. ft.) public waterfront park that features a 1,400-foot-long greenway with landscaping and seating, providing the community with a unique and beautiful green space for relaxing, picnicking, exercising, and more. Essential Functions: • Maintain the cleanliness and appearance of the Education Center and the Park by:, • Clean all paths of plant debris, trash, and litter daily., • Dispose of potentially hazardous items (i.e., abandoned belongings, feces, drug paraphernalia, etc., from the park), • Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and attention to detail across all pathways, gardens, and park features, including benches and drinking fountains., • Empty trash cans and replace bags in designated park areas; bring full bags to the trash collection area., • Perform routine custodial duties, including cleaning, sweeping, mopping, sanitizing, and waste removal from the education center., • Plaster and paint walls as needed, • Manage snow and ice removal., • Respond promptly to cleaning requests and maintain a proactive approach to cleanliness., • Maintain inventory of all necessary maintenance and operational supplies, including cleaning, custodial, and maintenance supplies., • Set up and break down classrooms or work areas as required., • Perform preventative maintenance to ensure building systems and surfaces remain in good condition., • Troubleshoot and resolve maintenance issues, including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, furnishings, elevator, hardscape, machine, and equipment failures., • Operate and maintain hand tools, power tools, and maintenance equipment, • Maintain and repair all relevant hand and power tools., • Identify safety hazards and ensure all repairs meet safety and building standards, • Maintain accurate records of all maintenance tasks/needs, and report any serious issues, requesting further action from Solar One Leadership., • Receive all deliveries and sort mail, • This work involves shoveling, bending, lifting, squatting, reaching, and walking several miles daily on concrete., • Must be comfortable working outdoors in the sun, extreme heat, cold, rain, and snow, • Must be able to lift 50 lbs, • Flexible to work additional hours and adjust shift times, on occasion, when needed, • Perform basic maintenance tasks at our LIC Office as needed. Job Requirements • High School Diploma or equivalent, preferred., • A minimum of 2-3 years of experience as a custodian and/or handyperson is preferred, • Must have solid knowledge of all aspects of building maintenance, • Must be able to use good judgment in how to appropriately make a repair or coordinate with maintenance vendors., • Must have basic knowledge of:, • HVAC, • Plumbing, • Electrical, • Small Engine servicing/repair, • Must have hands-on experience safely using hand and power tools, • Must be able to communicate fluently in English (speaking, reading, and writing). Good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a supportive team dynamic are essential., • Conversational Spanish is highly preferred but not required, • Must have experience sending and receiving emails, as well as basic computer skills., • Must be comfortable working outdoors in the sun, extreme heat, cold, rain, and snow, • Must be able to lift 50 lbs., • Experience working with soil, plant matter, and some household chemicals in an environment that includes rodents, wild birds, dogs, and insects is preferred but not required., • Exposure to hazardous materials. Personal protective equipment will be provided., • Fire Safety Experience is preferred., • Must be flexible to work additional hours and adjust shift times, on occasion, when needed, • Must be authorized to work in the United States, • Upon hire, candidates must complete paperwork authorizing that a background check can be conducted (this is handled by a third-party company), • Full-time position, • $26-$30 per hour (based on experience), • 7-hour shift - 8 am - 4 pm, Monday- Friday, • Overtime, • This role may occasionally involve evening and weekend hours for event support. Additional on-call hours will be required to manage emergencies, storm conditions, snow removal, and other situations as needed., • Evenings as needed, • Health care and well-being programs, including medical, dental, vision, EAP, • 4 weeks of paid time off that increases with tenure, • Life and disability insurance, • Paid Holidays
