What are the responsibilities and job description for the Facilities Manager - Seasonal position at Hurricane Island Center?
Facilities Manager
FULL SEASON: April 1 (flexible) - November 1, 2025
COMPENSATION: Minimum $900/week, Exempt
This is a paid, contracted position without benefits. Employees receive rustic housing for the entirety of their contracted employment and meals are provided when on Hurricane island. Wages are commensurate with experience.
Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership (Hurricane Island) is seeking to fill the position of Facilities Manager for the 2025 island season. This position requires living and working on Hurricane Island as part of Hurricane Island’s community. The Facilities Manager works under the direct supervision of the Island Operations Director and manages the Facilities Assistants. The primary responsibilities are the management, construction, and maintenance of systems and infrastructure which are essential to the day-to-day physical plant operations on Hurricane Island. The Facilities Manager is expected to be integrated into the day-to-day operations of the island and help maintain our collaborative and intentional community. A successful candidate must be well-organized, flexible, and able to function in a dynamic working environment. Additional responsibilities in addition to what is described here may be required by your supervisor, as needed.
Responsibilities & Expectations
- Work in coordination with the Island Operations Director to complete larger infrastructure projects, capital improvements, and maintenance of all equipment and tools.
- Collaborate with the Island Operations Director to determine work priorities.
- Manage the day-to-day infrastructure maintenance projects of Hurricane Island (cabin repairs, infrastructure systems, small-scale construction, etc.)
- Assist the Waterfront and Fleet Manager with boat maintenance as needed.
- Manage the seasonal Facilities Assistants work flow and performance on infrastructure daily tasks and larger projects, including administrative tasks such as staff hours worked and timesheet submissions.
- Create orders of work supplies needed from vendors for infrastructure projects to be reviewed and approved by the Island Operations Director before placing orders and confirming all details with vendor charge accounts (Hamilton Marine, EL Spear, etc.) Process includes arranging boat logistics for mainland errand runs and supply pick up.
- Oversee the care and stewardship of all facilities including but not limited to: grounds keeping and mowing; ensuring all public spaces are clean and neat; ensuring lodging is maintained and ready for guests; addressing small maintenance and repairs; addressing immediate facility safety needs and repairs; attending to facilities needs and questions from guests etc.
- Occasionally assist Educators with program delivery.
- Participate as a full member of Hurricane Island’s intentional community, including following and enforcing campus policies and community expectations, welcoming visitors to the island and communicating about Hurricane’s mission and work, participating in community tasks including daily and weekly chores, performing other duties relating to the organization’s goals and mission as required.
Essential Qualifications
- Experience with light carpentry, shingling, roofing plus basic electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and composting practices.
- Comfortable working with power tools and some experience with larger equipment (tractor, backhoe, rototiller, etc.).
- Experience with working collaboratively across a small community of departmental teams and managing direct staff.
- Demonstrated safe chainsaw use and maintenance during trail clearing and downed tree maintenance and/or willingness to obtain OSHA-compliant chainsaw safety course certification or similar certification at Hurricane’s expense.
- Able to multi-task and keep several projects moving along at once. Flexibility and positive attitude when weather, staffing, or other resource changes require an adjustment to the day’s work plan.
- Experience in managing staff and department schedules, providing leadership, and providing direction and feedback to those being managed.
- Positive and helpful attitude, understanding how to balance multiple priorities coming from different needs across the entire organization.
- CPR, First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder certification (WFR course is available on Hurricane Island in the spring)
- Capable of safely lifting 50lbs of weight and working on unstable surfaces.
- Ability to work in a noisy, energetic environment while remaining welcoming to community members.
- Ability and willingness to work and live in a remote island community with rustic and off-the-grid accommodations where all staff share living and work spaces.
- Interest and enthusiasm for working with youth.
- Work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Demonstrated initiative to identify and complete projects and work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with sustainable infrastructure systems (ie. solar power, water filtration, composting toilets).
- Comfortable navigating small boats on the waters of Penobscot Bay.
- Some knowledge of boat maintenance and small engine repair.
- Working experience with racial and ethnic minority groups, English language learners, urban youth, low-income communities, immigrant communities, LGBTQ communities, people with special needs, and other groups that are underrepresented in the field of environmental education.
Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership is a transformative learning community on Hurricane Island in Penobscot Bay, Maine. Our mission is to integrate science education, applied research, and leadership development through year-round educational programs and a seasonal, environmentally-sustainable island community. Through experiential education programs and research opportunities in STEM disciplines we aim to excite people about doing science and about being leaders in the next wave of scientific discovery and environmental conservation.
Required Application Materials: Applications are due on a rolling basis unless otherwise indicated in the specific job description. We will continue to review applications until the position has been filled.
- Cover letter explaining your interest in this position and your relevant experience
- Resumé or CV, which includes contact information for two references. We want a complete picture of you so don’t be afraid to include details that may not pertain directly to this job.
- Copies of any relevant certifications or training experience.
Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Because we are licensed with the State of Maine as a Limited Purpose private school and we work with middle and high school students, we are required to obtain fingerprinted background checks through the Maine Department of Education for all employees.
Salary : $900