Part-Time Operations Assistant, Morris Arboretum

University of Pennsylvania; United (PA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

The Morris Arboretum & Gardens at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking a Part-Time Operations Assistant to support daily custodial, visitor services, and event-related needs on site in Philadelphia. The role requires physical activity and flexibility to work outdoors in all weather, including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities include maintaining water features, assisting with events, and helping ensure safety and security of university assets across the Arboretum grounds.

Qualifications

• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision and be self-starting.
• Capable of performing physically demanding work, including lifting 30–50 lbs.
• Availability for weekday, evening, and weekend shifts as required.

Responsibilities

• Perform custodial work across Arboretum buildings and outdoor areas.
• Clean and maintain water features throughout the garden.
• Provide courteous and professional customer service to visitors, members and staff.
• Support security and safety of University assets on Arboretum grounds.
• Assist with set-up, breakdown, and operational support for Arboretum events.
• Monitor public spaces to ensure cleanliness, safety and readiness for visitors.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support Arboretum operations.

Skills

Strong work ethic

Reliability

Attention to safety

Education

High school diploma or GED

Valid driver's license

Job description

Part-Time Operations Assistant, Morris Arboretum &Gardens

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer inPhiladelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research,and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranksamong the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & WorldReport survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provideopportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education,all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach toscholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been rankednationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbeswho named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city ofPhiladelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urbancampus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural,andrecreational activities. With its historical significance andlandmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety ofatmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home forwork and play.

Posted Job Title

Part-Time Operations Assistant, Morris Arboretum &Gardens

Job Profile Title

Services Assistant A

Job Description Summary

The Operations Assistant is a part-time, essential staff positionthat supports the daily operations of Morris Arboretum &Gardens. This role is responsible for custodial services, eventsupport, maintenance of water features, visitor assistance, andhelping ensure the security and safety of University assets acrossthe grounds.

The Operations Assistant works both independently and as part of a team, contributing to a clean, safe, and welcoming environment forvisitors, members, staff, and event guests. This position requiresphysical activity, flexibility in scheduling, and the ability towork outdoors in all weather conditions, including evenings andweekends.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Perform custodial work across Arboretum buildings and outdoorareas.
• Clean and maintain water features throughout the garden.
• Provide courteous and professional customer service tovisitors, members, and staff.
• Support the security and safety of University assets onArboretum grounds.
• Assist with set-up, breakdown, and operational support forArboretum events.
• Monitor public spaces to ensure cleanliness, safety, andreadiness for visitors.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support Arboretumoperations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in custodial, housekeeping,facilities, or security-related work preferred.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; must bea responsible, self-starting individual.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work, including lifting30-50 lbs. on occasion.
• Ability to work outdoors in all areas of the garden and in allweather conditions.
• Availability to work weekday, evening, and weekend shifts asrequired by operational needs.
• Strong work ethic, reliability, and attention to safety.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

About the Division of Business Services

The Business Services Division (BSD) supports the individual andcollective needs of the Penn community by promoting a hospitable,customer-friendly campus environment and providing mission-criticalservices and essential operations. BSD is dedicated to deliveringhigh-quality service in a fiscally responsible manner. Currently,the Division focuses on three major initiatives:

• Revenue growth and retention through improved marketingefforts, extended services, and new distribution channels
• Driving productivity through the effective use oftechnology
• Enhancing service offerings through facility upgrades andexpansions

For more information about the Division of Business Services,visit: https://www.business-services.upenn.edu

About Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvaniainspires an understanding of the relationship between plants andpeople through education, research, and horticultural displays.Located in the Northwest section of Philadelphia, Morris Arboretumis a destination for plant enthusiasts and is home to a collectionof more than 13,000 woody plants. The Arboretum also hosts specialand educational events and serves as a vital part of Penn and a hubfor botany, horticulture, and urban forestry.

For more information about Morris Arboretum & Gardens,visit: https://www.morrisarboretum.org

Department / School

Morris Arboretum

Pay Range

$17.12 - $18.60 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications,experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to therequirements of the position, and in alignment with salary rangesbased on external market data for the job's level. Internalorganization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer.Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race,color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenshipstatus, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer ismade. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to therequirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health and Life: Penn offers comprehensive medical,prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurancebenefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare.
• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans tohelp you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, andSupplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on apre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investmentoptions through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with asubstantial amount of time away from work during the course of theyear. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personalaffairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time withfamily-whatever your personal needs may be.
• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with GenworthFinancial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible familymembers) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of thecosts of long-term care services received at home, in the communityor in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, youwon't have to provide proof of good health or be subject tounderwriting requirements. Eligible family members must alwaysprovide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed tosupporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competingdemands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a widevariety of programs and resources to help you care for your health,your family, and your work-life balance.
• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community,you have access to a wide range of University resources as well ascultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of theUniversity's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit ourarboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on atPenn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latestmusic or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the PennRelays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a memberof the Penn community, you're right in the middle of theexcitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of theseactivities for free.
• Discounts and Special Services: From arts andentertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find greatdeals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts andcultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admissionand memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoysubstantial savings on other goods and services such as new carsfrom Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movietickets, and admission to theme parks.
• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offercreative approaches for completing work while promoting balancebetween work and personal commitments. These approaches involve useof non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or jobstructures.