St. Bernadette Catholic Church

St. Bernadette Catholic Church – Houma, LA

Job Description & Duty Checklist Position: Maintenance / Handyman Reports To: Pastor

Position Summary

The Maintenance/Handyman is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and ensuring the safety and cleanliness of all parish and school facilities:

• St. Bernadette Catholic Church

• Rectory

• Herbert Hall

• The O’Brien Center

• Bernadette House

• Bishop Latino Hall

• St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School (500 students)

The role includes preventive maintenance, repairs, event setup, safety checks, and grounds keeping to support parish ministries, school operations, and community events.

General Duties (All Facilities)

• Perform routine inspections and preventive maintenance.

• Repair minor plumbing, electrical, and carpentry issues.

• Change HVAC filters and monitor systems.

• Replace bulbs, fixtures, and ceiling tiles.

• Maintain landscaping and exterior cleanliness.

• Keep tools, supplies, and storage areas organized.

• Ensure all work complies with safety codes.

• Document work completed and outstanding issues.

Facility-Specific Duties

1. St. Bernadette Catholic Church

• Inspect church lighting system for proper operation, replace LED and incandescent bulbs as needed.

• Spot clean rooms, the Nave, restrooms, and other areas of Church as needed.

• Empty wastebaskets and replenish restroom supplies as needed.

• Baptismal Font should be kept full and drained and cleaned as necessary for sanitary operation.

• Sanctuary Lamp must be kept lit, changed as necessary, and new supplies ordered to ensure availability.

• Holy Water Vessels in the church shall be cleaned and refilled as necessary to assure cleanliness.

• The church should be set up at the Pastor’s direction for funerals and other special events.

• Check all exit signs and emergency lights for proper operation. Exit signs should be lit 24 hours a day.

• Check all bathroom plumbing systems for proper operation. Repair/replace as needed.

• Check all Sacristy plumbing systems and fixtures. Repair/replace as needed.

• Confirm Sacristy is supplied with hosts, wine, and all other items needed for mass.

• Check the HVAC system periodically. Make sure grills and filters are clean.

Outside Church:

• Check the church building structure for any defects and make repairs immediately if minor work is needed. Otherwise, promptly report any issue to the Pastor.

• Supervise church landscapes such as mowing grass, trimming trees of intrusive branches and hedges, watering plants.

• Ensure the parking lot is free of debris, trash, and garbage.

Other:

• Clean and refill the outside fountain as necessary.

• Assists in set-up for major church functions.

• Provides building access for ministries.

• Set up/tear down chairs, tables, and equipment as necessary in Herbert Hall, the Father O’Brien Center, the Gym and other meeting and multi-function rooms.

• Pick up and deliver church and office supplies and materials.

• Perform touch up and finish painting in all facilities.

• Clear dirt and debris from entrances and walkways of all facilities.

• Open and close buildings according to church security procedures.

• Make minor carpentry, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing repairs in all facilities.

• Performs and arranges corrective, preventive, risk-based and condition-based maintenance and cleaning on church owned equipment, tools, maintenance items, and appliances.

• Complete inspections and tests and maintain logs and records reflecting results on items that require them.

• Coordinates maintenance on all security systems, fire alarms, and door locks for church facilities.

• Provide aid and direction to outside service and repair work performed on Church property.

• Assists vendors and service providers as needed.

• Maintains trash can dumpster area and makes sure full cans are put to roadside for pickup.

• Attends and participates in meetings as required.

• Completes required records and reports.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

2. Rectory

• Perform minor plumbing and electrical repairs.

• Ensure kitchen appliances are functional.

• Maintain heating, cooling, and hot water systems.

• Check for roof leaks, window seal issues, or weather damage.

• Maintain cleanliness of garage/storage areas.

• Puts out trash can from rectory area.

3. Herbert Hall

• Inspect and maintain kitchen appliances and plumbing.

• Ensure tables, chairs, and movable partitions are in good working order.

• Maintain restroom fixtures and supplies.

• Check for trip hazards on floors.

• Prepare facility for parish functions; set up tables/chairs as needed.

4. The O’Brien Center

• Inspect gym flooring, bleachers, and sports equipment.

• Maintain HVAC and ventilation systems.

• Ensure restrooms and locker rooms are operational.

• Replace or repair damaged wall pads, nets, or other items.

• Check fire extinguishers and emergency lighting.

5. Bernadette House

• Keep outreach areas clean and welcoming.

• Repair minor plumbing or electrical issues.

• Inspect furniture for damage or safety issues.

• Ensure exterior lighting and locks are functional.

6. Bishop Latino Hall

• Inspect meeting rooms for cleanliness and needed repairs.

• Ensure tables, chairs, and podiums are clean and operational.

• Maintain kitchen area and appliances.

• Prepare space for parish events, meetings, and classes.

7. St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School

Classrooms & Offices:

• Respond to urgent repair requests (e.g., broken door handles, clogged sinks).

• Maintain whiteboards, bulletin boards, and classroom fixtures.

• Ensure heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are operational.

• Make sure lighting and classroom items are maintenance.

Restrooms:

• Repair leaks, running toilets, and faulty flush mechanisms.

• Maintain restroom partitions, locks, and fixtures.

• Make sure plumbing and drainage issues are addressed along with preventative maintenance procedures are done.

Playgrounds & Exterior:

• Inspect and maintain playground equipment for safety.

• Keep walkways and play areas free from debris.

• Maintain sports fields, nets, and outdoor seating.

Cafeteria & Kitchen:

• Inspect and maintain appliances (coolers, ovens, dishwashers).

• Repair tables, benches, and serving equipment.

Maintenance:

• Blow debris in front of school and off sidewalks and doorway areas.

• Periodic cleaning of exterior A/C units.

• Help with trash pickup around school grounds.

• Change A/C filters on a scheduled basis.

• Do light painting and touch up as needed.

• Clean outside gutters and rooftops as needed.

Safety:

• Test fire alarms, extinguishers, and exit lights monthly.

• Ensure all emergency exits are clear.

• Winterize school and develop a shutdown/restart procedure for cold weather event.

• Develop a hurricane preparedness plan to include shutdown and restart processes for hurricane evacuation.

Seasonal & Special Duties

• Assist with decorating for Christmas, Easter, and parish festivals.

• Set up and take down tents, tables, and stages for events.

• Prepare facilities for hurricane season (secure loose items, sandbag doors).

• Assist with post-storm clean-up and repairs.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in general building maintenance, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical repairs.

• Knowledge of HVAC and preventive maintenance.

• Ability to operate tools and machinery safely.

• Good communication and teamwork skills.

• Physical ability to lift 50 lbs and work at heights.

• Must pass background check for work in a Catholic parish and school.

Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2025

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is an Equal Opportunity Employer
and does not discriminate against applicants or employees by reason
of race, color, religion*, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran
status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable
law.
*The Diocese, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to require
“practicing Catholic” to be a qualification for a position.

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