Operations Assistant

Operations Assistant

Reports to: Director of Horticulture & Operations  

This is a full-time, non-exempt position

Pay Range: $16-$17 an hour

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, a living museum with a mission to deepen the connection between people and plants through beautiful gardens and extraordinary experiences, is searching for their next team member –an Operations Assistant! The Operations Assistant plays a key role in the overall visitor experience at the Botanical Gardens.  In collaboration with the Director of Horticulture & Operations, the Operations Assistant is responsible for janitorial services in our buildings, and grounds and supports the overall operation as it pertains to the day-to-day functions of our teams.

Building and Grounds Maintenance

• Responsible for proper care, maintenance and keeping a high standard of cleanliness on our campus including inside and outside of our buildings and on our grounds.
• Perform daily cleaning routines including sweeping, collecting trash and recycling, cleaning bathrooms, kitchen spaces, office spaces, classrooms and other shared spaces.
• Responsible for ensuring trash collection and recycling is efficiently and effectively managed.
• Assist in maintaining inventory of general cleaning and washroom supplies.
• Assist with proper care of the lawn on our campus and basic landscaping is upheld (lawn mowing, weed whipping, raking, weeding, mulching etc...).
• Responsible for keeping walkways, parking lots and driveways safe and clear of debris, snow and ice (snowplowing, snow blowing, shoveling and salting).
• Work collaboratively will all staff to ensure operations support is properly provided.
• Set-up and break-down tables, chairs and equipment for scheduled events.
• Work collaboratively with the horticulture team on exhibit set-up and take-down.
• Assist the horticulture team with the plant collection and general maintenance as needed.
• Follow all safety regulations.
• Take the initiative to address any safety concerns and report them to your supervisor immediately.
• Work collaboratively with staff to promote open communication regarding activities on the shared calendar.

General 

• Positively serve as a representative of the Botanical Gardens to all visitors, volunteers, vendors, government officials and any/all external sources.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with co-workers, volunteers and vendors.
• Lead by example to ensure a welcoming environment and an excellent experience for visitors from arrival to departure.
• Individual will be required to work a flexible schedule and schedules will be seasonally weather dependent. Some evenings, weekends and holidays will be required.
• Assist at Botanical Gardens events/exhibits as needed.
• Additional duties as assigned 

Education, Skills, Qualifications: 

Education and Experience

A High School or equivalent degree and basic janitorial skills are required. At least one year of janitorial, operations/facility experience is required. Some practical knowledge or a willingness to learn new skills in cleaning, painting, carpentry, plumbing, horticulture and some equipment repairs is required. A violation free driver’s license is required for this position.

Skills and Characteristics        

• Self-motivated, trustworthy, reliable, and team-oriented.
• The ability to multitask and be resourceful.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Maintain a positive attitude and apparent enthusiasm for the job and the organization.
• A passion for healthy professional relationships with co-workers and volunteers.
• Must be willing and able to sustain moderate to heavy physical exertion, with a full range of body motion, lift up to 50lbs, work in all weather conditions and have the ability to operate tools, machinery and garden equipment.

Professionalism 

• Maintain a professional appearance at all times. 
• Maintain required attendance and punctuality. 
• Adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the Employee Handbook. 
• Shows respect and courtesy in all interactions with all of the Botanical Gardens’ relationships. 

Botanical Gardens’ Culture 

We strive to create Wow, Wonder and Welcome within your teams and for the public. We create the Wow factor by being innovative, creative and enthusiastic, by embracing all possibilities and celebrating our successes. We generate Wonder by building experiences that are beautiful, colorful, inspire curiosity and encourage our visitors and each other to be engaged in the natural world. We are always inclusive and Welcoming to all by being kind, empathetic and respectful to all individuals and their unique perspectives. We look forward to exploring how you can positively contribute to our Wow, Wonder and Welcome culture. 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility

We are committed to overcoming barriers to be the most inclusive organization we can be, where all feel welcome and included and we can grow together. All employees have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times. A successful work environment is built on:

• Respectful communication and cooperation between all employees.
• Fair treatment, and acceptance of people of all identities, beliefs, and viewpoints in all interpersonal interactions.
• Teamwork and employee participation that embraces all perspectives.
• Demonstrating initiative in learning about and implementing skills related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
• Employer and employee contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for diversity

Our Mission

Deepen the connection between people and plants through beautiful gardens and extraordinary experiences.

Core Values

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens welcomes all visitors and is committed to creating an environment free of discrimination and harassment where all individuals are treated with respect. The Society strives to ensure that its collection, facilities, and programming are inclusive and accessible in order to provide a successful and engaging experience for all audiences. 

It is extremely important to us that our employees demonstrate the utmost respect for co-workers, volunteers, visitors, our plant collections, historic conservatory, grounds and campus buildings. 

• We are fascinated by plants. Plants provide fundamental nutrients that sustain life on our planet. We connect people to the power of plants through educational storytelling and an inspiring, immersive plant environment.
• We create wonder. We are innovative and enthusiastic; we embrace possibility. Through curating rich and colorful educational experiences, we seek to inspire curiosity about the natural world.
• We respect our planet. We recognize that Earth’s health fundamentally depends on a thriving ecosystem of plants and pollinators. We respect our environment, preserve natural resources, and strive to improve sustainability.
• We welcome all. The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is for everyone. We are committed to being wholeheartedly inclusive, where all feel welcome. We continue to work to overcome barriers, address systemic injustices, and challenge ourselves to grow together and to be the most welcoming organization we can be.
• We celebrate our legacy. We are stewards of our historic conservatory and our legacy

Benefits
This is a full-time position, and we offer a wide range of benefits including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, a retirement plan option with company match, PTO, vacation time and flexible scheduling. Due to the nature of this position, it will require working days, some weekends, holidays and nights.

Interested?

Please connect with us!
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
2655 South Park Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14218
careers@buffalogardens.com