Rochester’s newly hired facilities manager can fix just about anything, even a delicious meal.

Pending contract negotiations, Selectmen hired self-employed contractor Andrew Daniel to fill the vacant position. Previous manager Mike Meunier announced his retirement in November.

Daniel, 33, of Marion, is a licensed construction supervisor and registered home improvement contractor. He has 12 years of experience in construction, but earned his college degree in culinary arts.

After school he found work at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston, but was laid off in 2001. So the Rochester native pursued construction work in New Bedford.

“I worked my way through the ranks and found myself running a crew eight years later,” he said.

Three years ago he decided to go into business himself.

“I went out on my own and have been building up a positive reputation in the area,” he said. “I’m a hard worker and take a lot of pride in what I do.”

The town’s screening committee reviewed 15 candidates and interviewed six. Of those six, two were called before Selectmen at their Dec. 23 meeting. Selectmen interviewed Rochester resident Richard Forand first.

With 25 years of building experience in Florida, Forand told Selectmen he built everything from “high rises, to schools, to football stadiums.” However, Forand did not have a Massachusetts contractor’s license, though he was scheduled to take the test.

During Daniel’s interview Selectmen asked about his work experience and qualifications. Chair Naida Parker wanted to know if he was up for the job’s variety of tasks.

“The facilities manager does everything from changing light bulbs to overseeing the construction of [Rochester Memorial School],” she said.

Daniel said he had wide knowledge of construction, carpentry and maintenance courtesy of his training.

“One of the benefits of the contractor I started my career with was he had a start-to-finish operation. I got a real broad knowledge of everything. I’m not limited to anything,” he said, adding that he knows when to seek assistance. “Not to say I’m a know-it-all.”

The job will be on call in nature. Selectmen asked if he was prepared to respond at any time.

“In my field it’s often that way anyway,” he said. “The roof never starts leaking at 2 p.m. in the afternoon, it’s often at 3 a.m.”

Daniel currently manages a property in New Bedford and a campground. His certifications also cover repairs for roofing, siding, handicap accessibility and other areas.

While he is covered to work in a number of fields, Daniel said he exercises caution.

“I hate doing things twice so I’ll find the proper way to do [the job] or find the guy who can do [the job] properly,” he said. “I never assume I can fix something that is dangerous.”

Selectmen voted unanimously to hire Daniel. Contract negotiations will be scheduled soon.