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, off-grid, 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.

SEASON: April 1, 2025 - November 1, 2025

Hurricane Island is seeking a seasonal Facilities Director for the 2025 island season.  The primary responsibilities are the management, construction, and maintenance of Hurricane Island's off-grid sustainable energy and other infrastructure systems which are essential to the day-to-day operations of Hurricane Island’s physical plant. The seasonal Facilities Director manages a team of Facilities Assistants, and is expected to be integrated into the day-to-day operations of the island and help maintain our collaborative and intentional community. 

Responsibilities & Expectations

• Collaborate with the Island Operations Director to determine work priorities.
• Oversee the environmentally sustainable systems on an off-grid remote island, including photovoltaic power, gravity-fed water filtration system, composting human and food waste, recycling, etc.
• Manage the day-to-day infrastructure maintenance projects on Hurricane Island (cabin repairs, infrastructure systems, small-scale construction, etc.)
• Work in coordination with the Executive Director and the Island Operations Director to complete larger infrastructure projects, capital improvements, and maintenance of all equipment, tools, and boats.
• Work in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Island Operations Director and the Safety and Infrastructure Committee to draft a long-range facilities plan for upgrading sustainable systems in the future.
• Direct island campus infrastructure upgrades including managing contractors, staff and volunteers to complete facilities improvement initiatives.
• Manage the seasonal Facilities Assistants’ work flows and job performance on both infrastructure daily tasks and larger projects. 
• Complete administrative tasks for the Facilities department as required. such as staff hours worked and timesheet submissions.
• Create initial orders and estimates of work supplies using established vendors and charge accounts (Hamilton Marine, EL Spear, etc.) and other contractors for all projects. Follow established procedures for the Island Operations Director to review and approve all orders prior to placing. 
• Arrange boat logistics for mainland errands and project order pickups by working with the island’s boat schedule software, captains, and Island Operations Director.
• 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; maintaining participant and staff housing, with regular inspections of participant housing when groups depart; addressing small maintenance and repairs; attending to immediate island repairs that pose a safety hazard; attending to facilities-replated needs and questions from participants, island visitors, and staff.
• Occasionally assist Educators and Research staff 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 directing or managing larger capital improvement projects including coordination of contractors, the contracting process, and budget management or interest to learn.
• Experience with off-grid systems.
• Experience with light carpentry, shingling, roofing plus basic electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and composting practices.
• Experience working with power tools and comfort with larger equipment, such as tractor, chipper, splitter, 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.
• Established experience in managing staff with varied experience levels, department schedules, providing leadership, providing leadership by offering clear direction and regular feedback at both a team and individual staff level.
• 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.
• Authorized to lawfully work in the United States.

Employees receive rustic housing on Hurricane Island for the entirety of their contracted employment and meals are provided when on Hurricane island. Wages are commensurate with experience.