Meet our Caregivers – Marie, Maintenance Director
We are excited to recognize our hardworking Maintenance Directors! They work tirelessly all year, keeping our communities in great working order and making sure all systems are working perfectly. We wanted to recognize them in February because of the extra time and effort put in during the Winter months to keep our communities safe, shoveled and warm for all of our residents and associates. Get to know a few of our wonderful and handy Maintenance Directors!
Maintenance Director: Marie Poretta
Community: Avita of Newburyport
- What first made you interested in working in Senior Living?
My interest in Senior Living came as a surprise to me. I had spent 35 years building and inspecting jet engines for General Electric Co. Sadly mom was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia and we lost her 4 months later. Through that experience, I became very aware of the care that seniors need and I feel that my moms diagnosis is what drew me to this field. - How long have you been working in Senior Living and what was your first job in this field?
I am in my 7th year of working in Senior Living. I worked in management at an assited living community in Swampscott and Salem until I had the opportunity to come work at Avita of Newburyport. - What is your favorite part about working in Senior Living?
What I enjoy most about working with seniors is the opportunity to get to know them and have them tell me about their amazing lives. - What is one thing you wish everyone knew about what it means to be a Maintenance Director?
Building and grounds is a big budget item for any business. Proper maintenance, done efficiently and timely, affects the bottom line by preventing unnecessary injuries to our residents, our employees and our visitors. If offers potential clients and their families a positive image when they are evaluating our community compared to competitors. - What is one piece of advice you would share with someone thinking of starting a career in Senior Living?
Learn everything you can about your community. It’s physical condition, onsite equipment, OSHA regulations, etc. Staying on top of everything requires good strategic planning. It’s important to be proactive rather than reactive in the day to day maintenance as well as long term maintenance issues. Also, always be prepared for the unexpected. - What keeps you invested in the field of Senior Living?
I love my job because every day is different. There is often a ‘surprise situation’ requiring me to be innovative and I find this challenging. - What is your favorite part of your job?
It is enjoyable to work at something that utilizes my ability to work under pressure, juggle many things at the same time and still remain conscious of the big picture involving long term maintenance needs. - What is the best part about working at Avita of Newburyport?
I love running both departments (housekeeping and maintenance) and I’m fortunate to have some great people working with me. I enjoy staging rooms, designing our plantings and seasonal flowers, gardening as well as being an active member of the Men’s Club.
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Working at a Northbridge senior living community
If you are considering a career in senior living, we hope you’ll consider one of our communities. Our team of associates makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents, every day. Because of that, we treat our team like family and we’re happy to offer:
- Competitive Pay
- Flexible Schedules
- Direct Deposit
- Vacation & Personal Days
- Paid Holidays & Sick Time
- Your Birthday Off
- Health Insurance to Qualified Associates
- 401k Company Match
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Ongoing Education
- Associate Appreciation
View our careers website today to view open positions, what a day working at Northbridge is like, and why our associates love to work here.
As a New England senior living company, we pride ourselves in being the local choice for families in need of assisted living or memory care. We look to our teams of associates to truly make our communities home for our residents. Whether that’s a helping hand or a moment to listen to a story, our associates are dedicated and compassionate. With 19 communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we hope you’ll find your home here too. If you already love what you do, and want to love where you work, apply now! We look forward to meeting you.