Job Description

JOB OBJECTIVE: Under the supervision of the Longhorn Herd Manager, this position will perform complex (journey-level) facilities and equipment maintenance, building maintenance, construction and grounds work for the Texas Historical Commission (THC). Work will generally be focused on maintenance tasks supporting the operation of the Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd. Work involves caring for and maintaining the appearance of grounds and gardens, maintaining, and repairing grounds and structures, maintaining tools, supplies, and equipment in good repair. Work includes general custodial duties, cleaning, maintaining, and repairing site facilities, buildings, utility systems, and stationary equipment; operating motorized equipment; requisitioning materials and supplies; organizing and maintaining an on-site maintenance workshop and maintaining records. Work may also include cultural and natural resource stewardship, security and safety programs, customer service, public relations, interpretation and education, special events, and community outreach. Work under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Inspect longhorn herd pasture fences, facilities, and equipment regularly in all kinds of weather, and repair as needed.
2. Work with various chemicals and application equipment to control invasive species in areas used for grazing by the longhorn herd.
3. Oversee the mending, repairing, and installation of barbed wire fences, water troughs, and other cattle infrastructure.
4. Maintain and update the cyclical maintenance plan for the historic site and non-historic buildings and grounds and ensures its completion each year.
5. Act as a safety officer to ensure compliance with safety regulations and is a first responder during site emergencies.
6. Perform daily and seasonal groundskeeping work, such as mowing, edging, trimming hedges and branches, fertilizing and watering trees and shrubs; removal of debris, trash and weeds, and removal of trees and branches that may pose hazards.
7. Perform site pest management for grounds and trees. Applies pesticides, fungicides, and/or herbicides using proper equipment and approved methodologies. Performs basic custodial work and maintenance as described in the maintenance plan.
8. Perform preventative and regular maintenance and repairs on equipment, tools, and grounds keeping equipment such as lawn tractors, weed eaters and hedge trimmers.
9. Maintain and care for state vehicles. Schedule maintenance work to be done according to the vehicle's mechanical warranty guide.
10. Receive requests for maintenance and repairs and schedules and completes the maintenance and repair work.
11. Identify maintenance issues and create plans to fix problems. Communicates concerns and recommendations promptly to the site manager.
12. Maintain records and prepare reports. Document, photograph as necessary, and maintain records on all work projects, maintenance, chemical applications, and off-site equipment repairs.
13. Perform minor building maintenance: i.e., changes light bulbs, repairs minor structural damage, and replaces safety lighting (both inside and out).
14. Perform carpentry work such as the installation, alteration, repair, and maintenance of non-historic buildings, doors, windows, wood fixtures, and furniture; works on historic buildings as directed by staff architects and with the supervision of the site manager.
15. Maintain and repair electrical outlets, switches, fixtures, and accessories and splices wires and cables.
16. Perform maintenance work such as painting, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and mechanical.
17. Maintain a clean and organized maintenance shop so that lawn, garden and building maintenance equipment are stored in a safe, secure environment which is conducive to site's work and repair needs.
18. Perform inspections of and maintains and operates equipment and tools according to site safety guidelines.
19. Provide general assistance, information, and direction to site visitors, conducts occasional visitor sales using the Point of Sale (POS) program, answers phones and takes messages as necessary.
20. Occasionally conduct interpretive and outreach programs both on and off-site for diverse audiences.
21. Participate in special event preparations and activities, including but not limited to setting up and taking down tables, chairs, parking signage and security.
22. Perform site safety and emergency preparedness meetings and inspections and performs training as needed. Attends State Office of Risk Management (SORM) training as necessary.
23. Calculate material and labor costs for maintenance projects. Develops purchase estimates for grounds and building maintenance and orders parts and supplies once they have been approved.
24. Attend staff meetings. Supervise community service volunteers, other grounds volunteers, and monitors contractual workers. Keeps the herd manager apprised of all maintenance activities.
25. Work with THC staff architects and provide photos and reports as requested. Work closely with contractual maintenance as needed.
26. May train others.
27. Adhere to established work schedule with regular attendance.
28. Follow all THC safety guidelines/procedures and ethics requirements.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

(The application must specifically state how each of the following qualifications are met):

• Graduation from a senior high school or the equivalent;
• Minimum three year's work experience in construction, maintenance, and repair work;
• Minimum two years work experience in a ranching operation or similar livestock experience;
• Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record and ability to drive a state vehicle; and
• Required to travel up to 10% of the work period.

PREFER:

• Education supplemented by vocational training in a designated trade; and/or
• Experience with historic structure general maintenance, renovation, and restoration.
• Ranch maintenance experience with cattle operation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of general techniques in maintenance and custodial duties;
• Knowledge of the planting and care of trees, shrubbery, flowers, gardens, fruit and ornamental trees and lawns;
• Knowledge of fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides;
• Knowledge of hand and power tools, equipment operation and maintenance shop safety;
• Knowledge of the construction, repair, maintenance and operation of buildings, equipment, and utility systems;
• Knowledge of building materials and fire and safety regulations;
• Knowledge of safe livestock handling practices;
• Effective verbal and written communication, human relations, and organizational skills;
• Skill in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers;
• Skill in public speaking, planned or spontaneous, in front of diverse audiences;
• Skill in operating a personal computer with word processing, database, and spreadsheet software;
• Ability to work in a setting requiring self-motivation/cooperative decision-making and to work effectively with diverse groups of people;
• Ability to safely operate ATVs, tractors, and other farm machinery.
• Ability to safely operate a pickup and gooseneck livestock trailer.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail;
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to adapt successfully and quickly to change and deliver quality results in a timely manner;
• Ability to plan, organize and work independently, as well as within a team environment;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, OR LICENSURE:

• Must have or obtain a valid Driver's License and Defensive Driving Course to be able to operate state vehicles;
• Ability to receive and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications within the first 90 days of employment; and
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Texas Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator License, preferred.

ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: Involves working irregular hours other than 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with days off other than Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays. Work involves; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, and bending; safely climbing; safely lifting items up to 50 pounds. The workplace setting is a historic site, in an office and in outdoor settings where there is exposure to high temperatures, weather, dust, insects and pollution. Work includes traveling on uneven pathways and unpaved surfaces.

MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE: All CAPPS Recruit job postings extend priority of service to veterans, a surviving spouse, orphan of a veteran who was killed while on active duty, spouse of a member of the US Armed Forces/Texas National Guard serving on active duty, or spouse of a veteran with a disability if the spouse is the primary income for the household.

To receive Military Employment preference, a copy of the DD 214, NA Form 13038, VA Summary Benefits Letter, or a DD Form 1300 with an applicable marriage license or birth certificate must be provided before an interview can be extended.

REMARKS (Application procedures, Special requirements): The State of Texas application must be submitted through the CAPPS website. Only applicants interviewed will be notified of their selection or non-selection. Resumes will NOT be accepted in place of a completed application.

The Texas Historical Commission is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (gender, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, disability, age, military status, genetic information, or protected activity in recruitment, selection, appointment, training, promotion, retention, or any other personnel action or deny any benefits or participation in programs or activities which it sponsors.

As part of the employment process, THC will conduct a driving and criminal background check. Unsatisfactory information relevant to the position may disqualify the applicant from employment.

Disability access for testing and interview accommodations can be provided upon reasonable notice by contacting Human Resources at 512-305-6729.

THC participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at:

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Maintenance.pdf

Veterans: Go to www.texasskillstowork.com for assistance with translating your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

For New Hires/Rehires: Health insurance is available the 1st of the following month after a 60-day waiting period.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER