Caretaker

The Al Held Foundation in Boiceville, NY, seeks a live-in Caretaker to be responsible for the upkeep of a historic artist compound with five large buildings located on a picturesque five-acre property in the Catskill Mountains.

The Caretaker is a key member of a friendly five-person team that works closely and interdependently. The Caretaker has the unique responsibility to be the eyes and ears to ensure the upkeep and security of historic buildings and manicured grounds in a beautiful mountain setting. With the flexibility to organize their own work schedule, the Caretaker performs most of their regular responsibilities during business hours, Monday to Friday. In addition, the Caretaker must be available to work outside of these hours as the situation demands, responding to tradespeople, service providers, and the occasional urgent events of year-round country life. Accordingly, the Caretaker is expected to spend overnights at the Foundation, including weekend nights, except when on vacation. The ideal candidate will be experienced in juggling a wide range of interior and exterior property care and maintenance tasks. Applicants must be resourceful, attentive to detail, proactive, and efficient. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills are essential.

As the position is as much a lifestyle as a job, the Caretaker resides in a rent-free two-bedroom apartment, roughly 800 square feet, on the second floor of one of the historic buildings on site. Full bathroom and kitchen. Mini split with heating and cooling. Woodburning stove. Washer/dryer located in a nearby building on premises. All utilities included, with the exception of firewood for the woodstove. Option to use additional space in the building as personal artist studio(s). Couples welcome. No dogs allowed, but other pets ok.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Property oversight

The most important part of this job is simply being on site, with a flexible schedule and plenty of downtime during regular business hours, evenings, and weekends.

·     Proactively monitor the property with thorough daily inspections, noting condition of landscaping and buildings.

·     Serve as primary security presence on site

·     Liaise with tradespeople to schedule repairs, cleaning, and maintenance. Supervise all on site work and provide quality control.

Facilities

The buildings are mainly historic barns constructed for a dairy farm in the 1920s. The primary and essential role of the Caretaker is to oversee the maintenance, upkeep, and functioning of the interiors, exteriors, and grounds. Sample responsibilities include:

·     Maintain walkways, stairways, driveways, and parking areas so they are neat and free of debris and weeds

·     Maintain lawns and gardens, touch up between bi-weekly work performed by professional mowers and gardeners

·     Trim bushes and hedges, keep overgrowth around the property at bay.

·     Gather and organize trash and recycling for disposal, regularly clean receptacles and garbage area

Programs

The Foundation offers a range of public and educational programs, with on-site group visits, workshops, performances, and exhibitions from April through October. The Caretaker provides key support to the Program Manager in supporting artist installations during regular business hours, setting up signage, tables, chairs, other equipment for events and tours, and other tasks.

Collections

The Caretaker ideally will possess some art handling experience and will assist the Collections Manager in the movement and installation of artworks in the Foundation collection.

QUALIFICATIONS

·      Experience in property maintenance and management

·      Excellent organizational, communication, and client relations skills

·      Ability to problem solve and troubleshoot in real time

·      Flexibility and positive attitude

·      Ability to set and meet deadlines

·      Ability to take direction to learn and implement the aesthetics and working methods of the Foundation

·      Proactive and willing to ask questions

·      Ability to walk, climb stairs and ladders, lift or carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.

·      Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle

·      Art handling experience a plus

Please send letter of interest and resume, with subject line “Caretaker job,” via this listing

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Al Held Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation and/or gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran status, criminal record, marital status, or any other basis as described by law.

09/15/2025