Director of Facilities and Maintenance

Director of Facilities and Maintenance (Full-Time)

African Safari Wildlife Park, one of the top family destinations in the Shores & Islands Ohio region, is entering a period of significant growth and investment. Guided by our mission, we are dedicated to inspiring connections between people and wildlife while fostering an appreciation for the natural world.

We’re looking for talented individuals who are passionate about animals, wildlife conservation, and providing amazing guest experiences to embark on this exciting journey with us! Whether you’re an expert in animal care, a leader in guest services, or an advocate for conservation, there’s a place for you on our team.

As the Director of Facilities and Maintenance, you will oversee the maintenance, repair, improvement, and day-to-day functionality of park facilities, buildings, grounds, equipment, and infrastructure. This position is responsible for ensuring that the Park is maintained to a high standard of safety, appearance, reliability, and operational readiness for our guests, employees, and animals. The Director of Facilities and Maintenance will lead the maintenance team, coordinate preventative and corrective maintenance, oversee contractors and projects, and work closely with other park departments to support daily operations.

In addition to providing leadership to the Facilities and Maintenance Department, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a willingness to assist across various departments, maintain a positive attitude, and exhibit a hands-on approach to solving problems in a dynamic environment. Safety, efficiency, adaptability, organization, and teamwork are key qualities for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

Facilities and Maintenance

• Manage and supervise all aspects of park facilities and maintenance, including buildings, grounds, utilities, equipment, and other park infrastructure.


• Ensure facilities and equipment are maintained in a safe, clean, functional, and professional condition.


• Coordinate and prioritize daily maintenance requests, repairs, and projects based on operational and safety needs.


• Perform and supervise general maintenance and repairs, including basic plumbing, electrical, carpentry, mechanical, painting, and other facility-related work.


• Maintain appropriate inventories of tools, equipment, replacement parts, and maintenance supplies.

Preventative Maintenance

• Develop, implement, and maintain preventative maintenance programs and schedules for park facilities, vehicles, equipment, and infrastructure.


• Maintain accurate maintenance records and documentation for inspections, repairs, preventative maintenance, and equipment.


• Identify recurring maintenance issues and develop long-term solutions to improve reliability and reduce downtime.


• Conduct regular inspections of facilities and equipment to identify maintenance needs before they impact park operations.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure maintenance activities are completed in accordance with company safety policies and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.


• Regularly inspect park buildings, guest areas, employee areas, grounds, and equipment for potential hazards and needed repairs.


• Work closely with park leadership to promptly address identified safety concerns.


• Ensure maintenance staff are properly trained in the safe use of tools, equipment, vehicles, and machinery.


• Maintain required inspections, permits, records, and other documentation related to park facilities and equipment.

Grounds and Park Appearance

• Oversee the general appearance and upkeep of park grounds, buildings, parking areas, guest areas, and other facilities.


• Coordinate mowing, landscaping, snow removal, waste management, and other seasonal grounds maintenance activities.


• Work closely with other departments to ensure guest-facing areas are clean, functional, and prepared for daily operations.


• Assist with setup, maintenance, and removal of seasonal displays, special events, and temporary park infrastructure.

Equipment and Vehicles

• Oversee the maintenance and repair of park vehicles, tractors, mowers, utility vehicles, machinery, and other equipment.


• Maintain preventative maintenance and service schedules for park vehicles and equipment.


• Coordinate outside repairs and service providers when work cannot be completed internally.


• Ensure equipment and vehicles are operated safely and removed from service when unsafe conditions are identified.

Projects and Contractors

• Coordinate maintenance, renovation, construction, and improvement projects throughout the Park.


• Assist with planning project scope, materials, timelines, and costs.


• Coordinate and supervise outside contractors and vendors performing work on park property.


• Ensure contractor work is completed safely, professionally, and in accordance with project expectations.


• Assist park leadership with identifying and planning future facility and infrastructure needs.

Staff Management

• Manage, supervise, schedule, and provide direction to maintenance and grounds employees.


• Works closely with park managers to hire seasonal and year-round maintenance staff as needed.


• Works closely with corporate office staff to complete all company hiring documents.


• Train maintenance employees on department procedures, equipment operation, safety practices, and company expectations.


• Establish daily and weekly work priorities and ensure assigned projects and maintenance requests are completed in a timely manner.


• Promote a positive, professional, and team-oriented work environment.

General Tasks

• Respond to maintenance emergencies and urgent facility needs during park operating hours and after hours when necessary.


• Work closely with all park departments to support operational needs and minimize disruptions to guests and animals.


• Assist with emergency preparedness and response activities.


• Maintain organized maintenance shops, storage areas, tools, and equipment.


• Assist with the development and enforcement of park policies and procedures related to facilities, maintenance, equipment, and workplace safety.


• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age or older and pass pre-employment screening.


• At least 3 years of maintenance, facilities, construction, skilled trades, or related experience.


• Previous supervisory or management experience required.


• Working knowledge of general building maintenance and repair, including basic plumbing, electrical, carpentry, mechanical, and grounds maintenance.


• Experience safely operating hand tools, power tools, and maintenance equipment.


• Ability to troubleshoot problems, determine appropriate solutions, and prioritize repairs based on urgency and operational impact.


• 40-60 hours per week, some of which will be weekend hours, requiring flexibility with the ability to be available for after-hours emergencies and the possibility of staying overnight.


• Regular and dependable attendance.


• Willingness to travel if needed.


• Must have excellent communication skills.


• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and reliable transportation.


• Use private vehicle for work-related tasks on occasion.


• Physical ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions and perform labor-intensive tasks, including lifting and moving up to 70 pounds and standing for long periods up to 8 hours.


• Must be able to be on your feet for several hours.


• Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull, bend, climb stairs and ladders.


• Ability and willingness to work around animals and within an active wildlife park environment.

Necessary Skills

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively manage and develop team members.


• A team player who collaborates effectively with colleagues across multiple departments.


• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to identify problems, troubleshoot potential causes, and determine practical solutions.


• Highly organized and capable of functioning independently.


• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.


• Strong attention to detail with an emphasis on safety and preventative maintenance.


• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, managers, contractors, and vendors.


• Microsoft Office Literate.


• Basic Office and Organization Skills.

What We Offer:

• Opportunities for further education and development.


• Team member appreciation days and parties.


• Free admission for yourself and family & friends on your days off.


• In-Park Discounts on retail and select animal encounters.


• Paid Time Off with increasing accrual rates over tenure.