Description Mater Dei Parish is seeking a full-time professional to join our maintenance team.
We are looking for a candidate with commercial maintenance experience to serve alongside our staff and amazing volunteers. We will train or consider an apprenticeship.
Mater Dei is looking for a resourceful and independent problem solver with broad maintenance competencies across plumbing, basic electrical, carpentry, and building systems who will care for churches and schools.
We offer a comprehensive standard benefits package include paid time off (PTO); 401k (retirement) with employer match; health, dental, and vision insurance; plus tuition assistance for Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools.
This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who wants to work with passionate and dynamic staff, volunteers, and parishioners to glorify God.
Interested individuals should submit a resume and cover letter to dennis.brockhaus@materdeisc.org or call Deacon Dennis Brockhaus at 712-226-4316.
A full job description can be found on Mater Dei’s website at materdeisc.org/vacancies. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Requirements
Essential Functions:
- A strong work ethic, curiosity, proven resourcefulness and independent problem-solving, and a willingness to learn.
- Reliable solo operator with a calm, friendly demeanor under stress - able to quietly handle responsibilities while being helpful to priests, staff, parishioners, and/or emergency personnel during events or emergencies.
- Mechanical aptitude or hands-on experience:
- Repairs (able to diagnose and fix heating and air conditioning issues under time pressure).
- Facility maintenance competency across plumbing, basic electrical, carpentry, and building systems (e.g., repair toilets, replace light fixtures/bulbs, perform basic wiring tasks, and maintain exterior systems).
- Prioritize tasks independently, triage competing requests, and escalate complex or unfamiliar issues with recommended next steps and cost/impact considerations to leadership.
- Respond promptly to requests, including events, safety and security, and emergency maintenance (e.g., A/C failure during services, major leaks, power issues) independently, and provide clear, calm communication to priests, staff and parishioners while resolving the issue.
- Document:
- Maintenance activities, create and update systems maps and maintenance logs, and produce short reports on recurring issues and recommended improvements.
- Building quirks, recurring problem areas, vendor, staff, and/or parishioner passwords/contacts to ensure continuity
- Manage building consumables and tools: maintain inventories, reorder essential supplies, and recommend capital replacements when equipment is beyond repair.
- Collaborate with external vendors and contractors for specialized repairs or scheduled servicing; coordinate access, scope, and quality checks for specialized work, when required.
- Build working relationships with key stakeholders (e.g., staff, school, preschool, and/or parishioners who report facilities issues, any regular vendors, law enforcement); capture escalation contacts and preferred communication methods.
- Lead or mentor any occasional backup on basic fixes and safety procedures; provide clear handover notes for coverage during absences with school or parish staff.
- Ensure compliance with basic safety standards and maintain a safe, tidy work environment (lockout/tagout where applicable, proper storage of tools and chemicals).
- Other tasks as assigned.
Collaborative Relationships: Interacts extensively with the following positions:
- Priests and deacons
- Mater Dei School principal, faculty, and staff
- Little Saints Director and staff
- Parish Life Director, Development Coordinator, and Office Staff
- Mowing and Grounds Ministry volunteers
- Parish Groups (e.g. Men’s Club, Knights of Columbus)
- Parishioners
- External Vendors & Contractors
Knowledge, Skills, Experience Required or Preferred:
- Preference is given to a practicing Roman Catholic.
- Broad facility maintenance competency across plumbing, basic electrical, carpentry, and building systems.
- Proven resourcefulness and independent problem-solving - able to research, learn, and complete unfamiliar repairs without ongoing supervision.
- Owns a general set of hand and power tools and has experience maintaining outdoor equipment (mowers, blowers, small engines).
- HVAC experience preferred; will train or consider an apprenticeship.
- Good general use of Microsoft Office products.
Physical and Cognitive Requirements:
Active work: the physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.
While performing this job the staff member must be able to:
- Physical ability to perform manual tasks, lift equipment, work on ladders or outdoors, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl to access equipment or perform required maintenance and repairs.
- Lift or move heavy objects, often exceeding 50 pounds. Some tasks may require lifting up to 100 pounds.
- Good hand-eye coordination and the ability to use tools effectively. This includes grasping, handling, and manipulating small objects or tools.
- Maintain balance while working at heights or uneven surfaces. Must coordinate movements of various body parts while performing tasks.
- Specific vision abilities are necessary, including close and distance vision, plus ability to distinguish colors. Must be able to recognize sounds and communicate effectively.
- Perform physical labor for long periods without fatigue, including working in various environmental conditions including heat, cold, or humidity.
- Work safely and follow safety protocols due to the potential exposure to moving mechanical parts, electrical hazards and various weather conditions.
- Sit, stand and walk for required periods of time within the church, our campuses and school
- Speak, hear, and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing using proper grammar and vocabulary.
- Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, computers, and/or controls.