Pine Lake Caretaker
Oneonta, NY
Full Time
Pine Lake
Entry Level
May 12, 2025
Title: Pine Lake Caretaker
Description: Under the direct supervision of the Facilities Manager and working collaboratively with the Executive Director of Pine Lake, the Pine Lake Caretaker is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all aspects of the facility’s operations, including both buildings and grounds. Responsibilities include cleaning, basic repairs, safety inspections, water testing, mowing, plowing, gardening, operating power equipment, maintaining heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, managing waste and recycling, and overseeing composting toilet systems. The caretaker supports sustainability efforts, responds to facility-related issues in a timely manner, assists with event setup, coordinates with contractors, and maintains equipment and supply inventories.
The caretaker is on call for after-hours emergencies and is responsible for working with the Facilities Manager to ensure all local and state permits are current. All facility-related requests are submitted through Pine Lake’s work order system, which the caretaker uses to prioritize and track maintenance needs.
The caretaker should have an awareness of environmental management issues, including invasive species control, biological conservation, and alternative technologies. An eye for aesthetics and landscaping is essential, with the ability to manage facilities in a way that integrates seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The role also requires sensitivity to maintain a safe and welcoming human presence at Pine Lake, while preserving its sense of wilderness and deep connection to nature.
Duties and Responsibilities:
An independent, residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,200 full-time undergraduates, Hartwick embraces the teacher-scholar model, with teaching excellence as the first priority, and seeks to recruit, retain and promote a diverse workforce. The College features a Liberal Arts in Practice general education curriculum and aspires to “be the best at melding liberal arts education with experiential learning.”
Hartwick operates as a community of learners where there is a very real sense of belonging and connection. By joining Hartwick, you become part of a group of people who work together, share in our successes, and celebrate our accomplishments. All positions at Hartwick contribute to the education and development of students with the opportunity to see the impact on future leaders—what you do at Hartwick really matters.
Our beautiful 425-acre campus is located in the scenic Susquehanna River valley in Oneonta, New York—a charming town near the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Hartwick offers health benefits to domestic partners of employees, flexible scheduling, opportunities to engage in athletic and cultural events (concerts, exhibits, and lectures) and tuition benefits for eligible employees and their dependents.
Hartwick College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/preference and gender identity/expression and is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to broadening “the understanding, awareness, and appreciation of diversity among all members of the Hartwick community.” Women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Hartwick College is committed to providing a safe and secure educational and employment environment. Employment at Hartwick College is therefore contingent upon a successful background check on every new employee. Candidates to whom an offer of employment is made will be required to sign a Release of Information Form authorizing the College to conduct a thorough background check.
Hartwick College is committed to a diverse candidate pool, values an inclusive workforce and workplace environment, and wishes to minimize or eliminate the impact of implicit bias during the search and hiring process.
All applicants are asked to submit the following materials with their online applications:
Title: Pine Lake Caretaker
Description: Under the direct supervision of the Facilities Manager and working collaboratively with the Executive Director of Pine Lake, the Pine Lake Caretaker is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all aspects of the facility’s operations, including both buildings and grounds. Responsibilities include cleaning, basic repairs, safety inspections, water testing, mowing, plowing, gardening, operating power equipment, maintaining heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, managing waste and recycling, and overseeing composting toilet systems. The caretaker supports sustainability efforts, responds to facility-related issues in a timely manner, assists with event setup, coordinates with contractors, and maintains equipment and supply inventories.
The caretaker is on call for after-hours emergencies and is responsible for working with the Facilities Manager to ensure all local and state permits are current. All facility-related requests are submitted through Pine Lake’s work order system, which the caretaker uses to prioritize and track maintenance needs.
The caretaker should have an awareness of environmental management issues, including invasive species control, biological conservation, and alternative technologies. An eye for aesthetics and landscaping is essential, with the ability to manage facilities in a way that integrates seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The role also requires sensitivity to maintain a safe and welcoming human presence at Pine Lake, while preserving its sense of wilderness and deep connection to nature.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supports student activities and residents at Pine Lake.
- Responds appropriately to facility needs and after-hours emergencies.
- Responsible for day-to-day maintenance and working with Operations Coordinator on event set up and take down.
- In consultation with the Facilities Manager handles routine purchases.
- Monitors and maintain water systems.
- Performs facility upkeep, including routine cleaning, basic repairs, safety inspections, and daily and periodic water testing; operates power equipment.
- Maintains grounds: mowing, trimming, plowing, snow removal, garden upkeep, and basic road maintenance.
- Performs safety inspections.
- Coordinates with external contractors. Submit invoices to the Facilities Manager.
- Supports facility needs of Pine Lake staff under the direction of the Facilities Manager.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Works independently with the ability to prioritize tasks and seek guidance when necessary.
- Help with vehicle maintenance and upkeep of licenses, registration.
- Help with maintaining and servicing the Pine Lake maintenance equipment.
- Participating in campus activities include Wick Weekend, True Blue Weekend, Commencement Weekend, Accepted Students Day and Summer Orientation, among others.
- Comply with all applicable College, Federal, State, local and associational laws, rules and regulations
- As a representative of the College, expected to comport oneself in a professional manner at all times, both on and off campus.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Outdoor facility management in an academic setting
- Excellent communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Basic knowledge of computer software systems i.e. Google, Microsoft Office, etc.
- Plumbing and electrical maintenance, grounds, road maintenance and repair
- Basic awareness of buildings and grounds maintenance needs in a residential setting
- Energy conservation and alternative energy awareness
- Clean driving record and a valid driver’s license.
- Current Basic First Aid and CPR level certifications (training will be provided for ideal candidate)
An independent, residential liberal arts college enrolling approximately 1,200 full-time undergraduates, Hartwick embraces the teacher-scholar model, with teaching excellence as the first priority, and seeks to recruit, retain and promote a diverse workforce. The College features a Liberal Arts in Practice general education curriculum and aspires to “be the best at melding liberal arts education with experiential learning.”
Hartwick operates as a community of learners where there is a very real sense of belonging and connection. By joining Hartwick, you become part of a group of people who work together, share in our successes, and celebrate our accomplishments. All positions at Hartwick contribute to the education and development of students with the opportunity to see the impact on future leaders—what you do at Hartwick really matters.
Our beautiful 425-acre campus is located in the scenic Susquehanna River valley in Oneonta, New York—a charming town near the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Hartwick offers health benefits to domestic partners of employees, flexible scheduling, opportunities to engage in athletic and cultural events (concerts, exhibits, and lectures) and tuition benefits for eligible employees and their dependents.
Hartwick College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/preference and gender identity/expression and is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to broadening “the understanding, awareness, and appreciation of diversity among all members of the Hartwick community.” Women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Hartwick College is committed to providing a safe and secure educational and employment environment. Employment at Hartwick College is therefore contingent upon a successful background check on every new employee. Candidates to whom an offer of employment is made will be required to sign a Release of Information Form authorizing the College to conduct a thorough background check.
Hartwick College is committed to a diverse candidate pool, values an inclusive workforce and workplace environment, and wishes to minimize or eliminate the impact of implicit bias during the search and hiring process.
All applicants are asked to submit the following materials with their online applications:
- A cover letter;
- A resume; and
- The names and contact information for three references, with annotation regarding how the reference is related to you and your work (at least one of your references must be from a current and/or previous supervisor).
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