Staff Position Description
Position Title: Sexton
Reports to: The Rector
Weekly Hours: negotiable
Primary Function: Under the supervision of the Rector, the Sexton assures and maintains the overall appearance, cleanliness, safety, maintenance, and proper functioning of equipment of the buildings, properties and grounds of Christ Church, including but not limited to the Church, the Chapel, the Cemetery (46 River Street), the Rectory (1 Church Street), the Parish House (69 Fair Street), 65 Fair Street, and 180 Co. Hwy. 52.
Duties and Responsibilities:
I. Assures the Church, Chapel, Parish House, Rectory and their grounds are maintained at the highest possible levels of cleanliness, ensuring the proper maintenance and functioning of all appliances, utilities, and mechanical equipment:
- Sweeps, mops, washes and waxes floors, vacuums and spot cleans carpets, dusts, cleans furnishings, cleans windows, cleans bathrooms, cleans kitchens, empties waste baskets, removes waste and trash, and separates recycling. Takes recycling to station when needed.
- Performs routine electrical, plumbing, heating, carpentry, painting, maintenance and repairs of buildings and equipment within technical capabilities.
- Regularly checks lighting fixtures, replaces bulbs, and assures all entrance/exit, stairway, and other areas are maintained in accordance with insurance guidelines.
- Performs grounds-keeping duties, including but not limited to, coordination of mowing services and timely snow/ice removal service, trimming shrubs, and maintaining flower beds.
- Maintains Cemetery grounds and Columbarium Wall, that includes cleaning stones, wall and repairing the wall burial seals.
- Cleans drains, ensures snow removal from roofs when necessary. Hires appropriately insured help if needed.
- Organize and oversees the use of volunteers for facilities related projects/work.
- Changes Crucifix covering for Lent, Easter, and other occasions as requested by the rector.
- Changes Sanctuary 8-day candles and order when needed.
- Check and order Christmas candles, including the outside luminaries. Place Christmas Creche outside and put away. Picks up Christmas Trees for and sets up.
- Maintain Clock timers (6), set timers for outside lights.
- Check the Bell Tower periodically for Frayed Ropes, etc.
II. Facilitates the availability of the various properties of the church for various functions, events, services, etc. both internally and for use by various community groups:
- Opens and locks buildings on a daily basis, including checking to ensure all lights are off, heat is turned down, and water is not running.
- Ensures buildings/rooms are ready for special events. Opens and locks buildings for these various events. Coordinates with rector and parish administrator.
- Is on-call for weddings, funerals, special events (including holidays).
III. Manages the operational affairs of the facilities for the Church.
- Manages the Property, Maintenance and Equipment budget, purchasing all necessary supplies and periodically reviewing and making recommendations with regard to renewing or changing all related contracts (Alarm System, Snowplowing, Trash Removal, Fire Insurance, etc.).
- Ensures all emergency lighting and fire extinguishers are inspected according to code.
- Ensures annual fire alarm inspection occurs in the appropriate timeframe.
- Ensures building inspections occur and the buildings pass all code requirements.
- Is the person on-call for all property and building emergencies.
- Supports the Building and Grounds Committee by:
- Attending Building and Grounds Committee routine meetings.
- Reporting all non-routine needs and conditions of the campus.
- Supplying the committee with contractor/vendor bids and makes recommendations based on not only the bids but personal experience with the vendor.
- Providing updates on Building/Capital projects that are underway.
IV. Recognizing the varied needs of the parish, and limited number of personnel, carries out the following:
- Provides the use of personal tools and vehicle for carrying out job responsibilities.
- Maintains pleasant, courteous and tactful relationships and communications with staff, vestry, congregation, visitors and vendors.
- Makes every attempt to get volunteers to take on necessary functions when going away.
Education: High School Degree required with an additional two years of technical training in electrical, plumbing, heating, and/or carpentry skills.
Experience: Five years working in an organization’s maintenance department, or for a private licensed contractor.
Working Conditions: Normal work environment heavy walking, lifting, climbing of ladders, and frequent outdoor work in all weather conditions.
Benefits: 65 Fair St. house, Parking, Lay Pension contribution.
Paid Time Off: 10 days—as set forth in the Personnel Policies and Procedures, and consistent with the Memorandum of Employment.
Date Revised: September 30, 2023
