Camp Fraser Caretaker

The Camp Fraser Caretaker is a valued member of the Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region team, with responsibility for maintaining Camp Fraser for the primary purpose of providing environmental education for DC-area elementary school students and other educational and community program services. This position will report to the Camp Fraser Director and the Living Classrooms Facilities Manager.

Job Summary

The Caretaker is the part-time resident facilities manager for the Camp Fraser site and is responsible for oversight, maintenance, repairs, and maintaining a presence in the residence on the property.

Core Responsibilities

· Maintain a regular presence at Camp Fraser, residing in the home, and inspecting all other buildings at least twice a week, even when groups are not present.

· Always maintain professionalism as a representative of Living Classrooms, Camp Fraser, and Calvary Baptist Church.

· Managing, restoring, and maintaining the 75-acre campground. This includes, but is not limited to the lodge, open-air classrooms, hiking trails, gravel roads, bridge, and backwoods trails.

o Implement best practices in trail maintenance.

o Traditional landscaping and upkeep of entrances, common areas, & meadows. Mowing, planting, trimming, removal of hazardous or fallen trees, etc.

o Maintain driveway, bridge, and roadway ditch clearing and maintenance, including removal of fallen trees to allow staff and group access to the lodge at all times.

o Inspect buildings, facilities, and equipment weekly for repairs and supply restocks as needed.

o Implement conservation and restoration projects as assigned by Director of Camp Fraser and Facilities Manager, as needed to improve the natural site & environmental learning.

o Ensures site is always ready to host a tour, camping, or programming at any moment.

o Systematic cleaning of both levels of the lodge, keeping roof clear of debris, cleaning rain gutters, stormwater drainage, and routine plumbing.

o Regular chopping of firewood to clear fallen logs and to supply camp programs with firewood.

· Maintain all equipment and make sure that everything is in safe working order, especially ropes course.

· Assist in maintaining site records included but not limited to permits, maintenance, and reports as required to ensure licenses, inspections, and permits are kept active.

o Oversee successful inspections of septic system, kitchen, well, fire system, health requirements, and other as need to maintain compliance.

· Oversees trash and recycling pick up, once a week.

· Opening & closing of Camp Fraser for visitors, schools, and rental groups.

· Greets and welcomes visitors, guests, campers, and school groups.

· Can be available to lead or manage activities for groups such as schools, community partners, employment, volunteers, etc. as needed.

· Be a contact person for The Nature Conservancy who maintains the greater Fraser Preserve.

· Be available for on-site emergencies and camper phone calls.

Required Education, Skills, and Abilities

· Must be a mature, responsible, self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to perform above job duties.

· Possess & have experience with handyman & basic maintenance engineering skills.

· Must be able to safely operate power tools, tractors, lawn equipment, chainsaws, brush hogs, etc.

· Ability to effectively work with other team members, contractors, volunteers, etc.

· Utilize maintenance schedule and checklist to ensure site care, maintenance, and permit compliances.

· Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

· Possess good organizational, administrative, and communication skills.

o Basic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft suite

· Ability to maintain professional composure when dealing with fellow staff, visitors, workforce groups, volunteers, etc.

· Park/land management experience

· Have reliable transportation.

· Be able to lift 75 lbs.

Additional Information

The Caretaker will be compensated for up to 20 hours of work per week at a rate of $15.87 per hour. Any work that exceeds 20 hours will need written permission from the Director of Camp Fraser. Additionally, the Caretaker will have full use of the house as a residence for the duration of their employment with Living Classrooms.

The Caretaker will report to the Camp Fraser Director and the Living Classrooms Facilities Manager and will regularly receive both informal and formal feedback on job performance.

LCF-NCR’s principal office is located at 156 Q St SW, Washington, DC 20024 at the James C Dent House Community Center in SW DC. The Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area can be accessed from RFK Stadium Lot 6, off Oklahoma Avenue in Northeast DC. Camp Fraser is located near the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, about four miles from the village of Great Falls.

Work is year-round at Camp Fraser, with student groups coming for overnight and day trips during the school year and community groups attending year-round.

LCF-NCR’s principal environmental education format is the “Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)†as developed by the NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training program. MWEEs are learner-centered experiences that focus on investigations into local environmental issues that lead to informed action and civic engagement.

About the Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area and Camp Fraser

Kingman and Heritage Islands is a 50-acre State Conservation Area in the Anacostia River near RFK Stadium. Living Classrooms has managed the area on behalf of the DC government since 2007.

Camp Fraser is located about four miles from the town of Great Falls, Virginia, a 45-minute ride from downtown DC. Living Classrooms leases Camp Fraser from DC’s Calvary Baptist Church.

About Living Classrooms Foundation

Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region is the DC-based affiliate of the Living Classrooms Foundation, established in 2001. Living Classrooms works to strengthen communities and inspire people to achieve their highest potential through hands-on learning opportunities in education, workforce development, and health and wellness, often leveraging environmental assets and maritime resources to serve as “living classrooms.†For more information, visit livingclassrooms.org.

The Living Classrooms Foundation 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.