Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds)

Buffalo State University; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY, seeks a Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds) to perform routine grounds maintenance across campus facilities.

The role involves heavy lifting, operating lawn equipment, and assisting trades staff. A NYS driver’s license and the ability to follow written or oral instructions are required. This is a full-time, essential-service position with the Department Grounds and Garage.

Qualifications

• Ability to understand and carry out written and/or oral instructions.
• Must possess and maintain a valid NYS driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Cleans grounds, walkways and roadways.
• Maintains lawns by mowing, trimming, leveling, amending soil, over-seeding, applying fertilizers.
• Creates and maintains plant beds by digging, tilling, edging, planting, mulching, pruning, fertilizing, watering and replacing dead plants.
• Operates and maintains motorized equipment and machinery such as lawn mowers, line trimmers, tillers, snow throwers and snowplows.
• Operates motorized equipment to pick up and deliver or return supplies and equipment.
• Assists skilled and semiskilled trades workers by performing routine manual tasks of a trade.
• Cleans work areas, and lubricates and maintains machinery, equipment and tools.
• Assists in operations by performing routine, repetitive activities; setup/breakdown for events.
• Responds to emergencies as needed.

Job description

Job Opportunities at Buffalo State University

Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds)

Buffalo State is one of the largest comprehensive schools in the State University of New York system. As a civically minded, urban-engaged campus community located in the city’s cultural corridor, Buffalo State prides itself as having smaller learning environments coupled with larger university opportunities. Boasting a diverse and inclusive campus, Buffalo State is committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The school’s mission is to deliver a broad array of high-quality and distinctive academic programs infused with diversity, creativity, and hands‑on learning opportunities for hardworking students who seek a personalized and affordable education that engages their minds and advances their careers. Buffalo State is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, service, scholarship, creative activity, and cultural enrichment. With degree programs in education, the arts, science, arts and humanities, and professional studies, each year over 6,000 students choose Buffalo State. Buffalo State welcomes applicants who are committed to helping us fulfill our mission.

Department Grounds and Garage

Rank/Grade SG-6

FTE Full-Time

FLSA Non-Exempt

Negotiating Unit CSEA

Appointment Type Jurisdictional Class Labor (3)

Shift Hours Monday – Friday 6:00am – 2:30pm

Department Operating Needs

This position is designated as Essential Service, therefore the successful applicant is designated as an essential service employee. The campus has high reoccurring need to respond to urgent facilities needs outside of regular scheduled hours. Employees in this position may be called in or assigned to work outside of their regular scheduled shift when operational circumstances require. Flexibility and availability to respond to these needs are essential functions of the position.

Brief Job Description

Facilities Operations Assistant 1 perform a variety of routine manual tasks, requiring medium to heavy physical effort, for maintaining the appearance and condition of grounds, athletic fields, roads and walkways. This position serves as a member of a work crew performing a variety of grounds maintenance, gardening and manual labor duties. Activities, tasks and required equipment and vehicles to operate vary according to the season and the needs of the operation.

Specific duties to be performed may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Cleans grounds, walkways and roadways. Cleans by sweeping, raking, shoveling, and removing by hand debris, leaves, dead plant material, branches, trash, etc.
• Maintains lawns by mowing, trimming, leveling, amending soil, over-seeding, applying fertilizers.
• Creates and maintains plant beds by digging, tilling, edging, planting, mulching, pruning, fertilizing, watering and replacing dead plants.
• Operates and maintains motorized equipment and machinery such as lawn mowers, line trimmers, tillers, snow throwers and snowplows to maintain grounds, parking lots, and walkways.
• Operates motorized equipment to pick up and deliver or return supplies and equipment.
• Assists skilled and semiskilled trades workers by performing the more routine manual tasks of a trade.
• Cleans work areas, and lubricates and maintains machinery, equipment and tools.
• Assists in operations by performing routine, repetitive activities. Setup and breakdown equipment for special events.
• The Facility Operations Assistant 1 will accomplish tasks and other assigned duties in a timely and effective manner; adheres to all departmental policies and procedures; and may be asked to respond to emergencies.
• Will be required to clean tools, equipment and vehicles after work is performed.
• Working Environment: The position requires frequent heavy lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of materials or objects weighing approximately 50–80 pounds. Employees must regularly climb, stoop, bend, twist, and perform other physically strenuous movements throughout the workday.

Other duties as assigned.

Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Buffalo State University is not an E‑Verify employer.

Multiple positions available.

NYS Department of Civil Service classification standards are available at https://www.cs.ny.gov/tsplan/tsp.html

Required Qualifications

Labor Class: There are no education or experience qualifications for this class. Applicants must be physically able to perform the tasks of the position and be able to understand and carry out written or oral instructions. When required to operate motor vehicles, incumbents must possess a valid New York State driver’s license appropriate for the type of vehicle being operated. Will be enrolled in The New York License Event Notification Service and must be LENS cleared to operate state vehicles.

Ability to understand and carry out written and/or oral instructions. Physically able to perform the tasks of the position including, but not limited to, those in the Examples of Duties & Responsibilities. A demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with a variety of individuals.

Must possess and maintain a valid NYS driver’s license.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution that subscribes to all federal, state, and SUNY legal requirements and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status (Nondiscrimination Notice). Any violation of this policy should be reported to the Equity and Diversity Office, Cleveland Hall 204, [phone]. Buffalo State is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you have any questions, please contact Jamie Warnes at [e-mail] or call [phone].

Applicants interested in positions may access the Annual Security Report ( ASR ) for SUNY Buffalo State at http://police.buffalostate.edu. The ASR contains information on campus security policies and certain campus crime statistics. Crime statistics are reported in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. Applicants may request a hard copy of the ASR by contacting the SUNY Buffalo State University Police Department at [phone].

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Buffalo State website
  • Buffalo News
  • Buffalo Rocket
  • Challenger
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • HigherEdJobs
  • Panorama Hispano News
  • Employee Referral
  • Other
• * All applicants are subject to a pre‑employment background investigation. The college's Pre‑Employment Background Screening Policy is available at http://hr.buffalostate.edu/pre-employment-background-screening. Prior to an offer of employment, an applicant will be required to sign an authorization release form, allowing Buffalo State to conduct a background investigation. Failure of an applicant to sign the authorization release form will disqualify an applicant from further consideration for appointment.
  • I agree to comply with the college's policy.
  • I do not agree to comply with the college's policy. (Note, this selection will disqualify you from further consideration for appointment.)
• * Do you possess a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have previous or current New York State service in the CSEA Operational Services Unit (OSU)?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Please describe in detail how your training and experience meets the required qualifications and department operating needs.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * As valid NYS Driver's License is a requirement of the position, you agree to enrollment in the New York State License Event Notification Service?
  • Yes
  • No

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume / Curriculum Vitae
• Names and Contact Information for 3 Professional References

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter