Facility Operations Assistant 2 (Grounds)

Buffalo State University; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY seeks a Facilities Operations Assistant 2 (Grounds) to supervise grounds maintenance and support campus operations. Responsibilities include overseeing Grounds staff, maintaining lawns, walkways, and equipment, and ensuring safety and reliability of outdoor facilities.

Ideal candidates have at least one year in Grounds as Assistant 1 or two years in the field, a valid NYS driver’s license, and the ability to respond to essential-service needs beyond

Qualifications

• One year of service as Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds) OR two years of experience in grounds maintenance.
• Must possess and maintain a valid NYS driver’s license; may require enrollment in NYS License Event Notification Service (LENS).
• Must be able to respond to essential service needs and work outside regular hours when required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily activities of Grounds staff.
• Maintain lawns, walkways, roadways, and plant beds.
• Operate and maintain grounds equipment and tools.
• Assist in setup and breakdown for events and maintain shop/storage areas.

Skills

Groundskeeping

Leadership

Safety mindset

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Opportunities at Buffalo State University

Facility Operations Assistant 2 (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.

Posting Date

Posting Date 10/21/2026

Department

Department Grounds and Garage

Line Number

Line Number 27007

Budget Title

Budget Title Facility Operations Assistant 2 (Grounds)

Rank/Grade

Rank/Grade SG-9

FTE

FTE Full-Time

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Negotiating Unit

Negotiating Unit CSEA

Appointment Type

Jurisdictional Class

Jurisdictional Class Non-Competitive (1)

Shift Hours

Monday – Friday, 6:00am – 2:30pm

Department Operating Needs

Since the activities of other employees depend upon the performance of the employee in this position, reliable attendance is a factor that the employer will consider when filling this vacancy.

This position has the designation of Essential-Critical Service, therefore the successful applicant is designated as an essential service employee. For a definition of essential service employees, please review the university’s Emergency Closings Policy .
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 2 (Grounds) are responsible to perform and oversee a variety of routine manual tasks, requiring medium to heavy physical effort. Responsible for the appearance and condition of grounds, athletic fields, walkways and roads. Facilities Operations Assistant 2 are working supervisors who oversee the Facilities Operations Assistant 1 and Facilities Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds) staff. They may assist in operations by performing routine activities requiring limited or no training.
NYS Department of Civil Service job descriptions are available at www.cs.ny.gov/tsplan/tsp.html.

Specific duties to be performed may include, but are not limited to the following:
Supervise and direct the daily activities for Facilities Operations Assistant 1 and Facilities Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds) personnel.

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.

Moves heavy supplies and equipment within and around the campus.

Maintains organization and cleanliness of shop(s) and storage areas.

Lubricates and maintains machinery, equipment and tools.

Assists in operations by performing routine, repetitive activities. Setup and breakdown equipment for special events.
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.

The job also requires working outdoors in all types of weather conditions, including exposure to heat, cold, rain, snow, and wind. Employees may have considerable exposure to environmental conditions such as dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, odors, and loud or potentially disruptive noises.

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.

Required Qualifications

Non-Competitive:
One year of service as a Facility Operations Assistant 1 (Grounds); OR, two years of experience and/or training in grounds maintenance work.
*In addition, as determined by the State agency or campus, some positions may be required to obtain appropriate license or certification to apply pesticides, herbicides, and other treatments, within six months of appointment.

Must possess and maintain a valid NYS driver’s license. Will be enrolled in The New York License Event Notification Service and must be LENS cleared to operate state vehicles.

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 have a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED)?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Please describe in detail how your training and experience meets the required qualifications and department operating needs.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * 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
• * 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