Facilities Assistant

Position Summary:

The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center is located at Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary, approximately 20 minutes east of Kearney, NE. The mission of Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary is to conserve and restore the Platte River ecosystem, focusing on cranes, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. The nearly 3000-acre sanctuary is located along the Platte River south of Gibbon, Nebraska. It’s open year-round featuring nature education programs, community science, outdoor activities and nature trails. Rowe Sanctuary is critical to Audubon’s education and conservation initiatives in Nebraska and throughout the Platte River Basin and Great Plains. The Sanctuary welcomes thousands of visitors annually through the annual crane migration and existing education programs.

The purpose of the Facilities Assistant position is to support the operations of the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary. The Facilities Assistant will perform light maintenance work for the buildings, grounds and equipment, cleaning of buildings and outdoor areas, and collaborate with the staff on facility use and planning.  The Facilities Assistant will provide excellent customer service for visitors to the Center, regularly interacting with diverse populations of people from around the world. 

This part-time position requires regular weekend work, including Saturdays, as well as scheduled evening hours.

Compensation:

$16.00 - $17.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Regularly complete cleaning duties including sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning and restocking bathrooms, cleaning exhibits, removing trash, and other tasks.

• Provide customer service to visitors of the center, including but not limited providing information as requested, processing gift shop transactions and administrative task, answering phone and preparing materials for programs.

• Serve as onsite point-of-contact for weekend and evening after-hours rentals including meetings, weddings and other events that use the facility. Coordinate with renters and clients to ensure access to the building and provided amenities.

• Provide light maintenance duties for the buildings, trails and grounds, including but not limited to painting and minor repairs, clearing trails of snow and debris, upkeep of all grounds

• Work with volunteers to perform guest services, cleaning, and maintenance tasks.

•    Assist with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.

• Seasonally support Crane Season operations.

Qualifications and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required (Associate degree preferred).  An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.  

• At least one year work experience in hospitality, facility maintenance, landscape maintenance, or customer service-related industries.

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

• Must possess good judgment and be able to work independently under minimal supervision, as well as part of a team.

• Self-motivated and team oriented with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Ability to adapt to unexpected changes in priorities and in potentially stressful situations.

• Willingness to combine manual labor with administrative duties. 

• Must have valid NE driver’s license and comfortable operating Audubon vehicles

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and working conditions with or without an accommodation.

• Able to do heavy lifting, operate various tools, machinery and other equipment, walk trails and grounds.

• Interest in nature, education, working outdoors and working with volunteers desirable. 

This position is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA).

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Grades 1-3

Building Relationships: Establish and nurture meaningful connections and trust with others while fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect.  

Problem Solving: Find effective solutions to challenges and support decision-making by drawing on critical thinking, creativity, and systematic approaches.  

Accountability: Be reliable and trustworthy in fulfilling commitments while recognizing inequities that may impact the ability of others to fulfill responsibilities effectively.  

Supporting Change: Adapt to changes and modify behavior in response to new information or unexpected obstacles while considering the diverse needs of others.  

Critical Thinking: Take an active approach to analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting information or situations objectively and logically to make informed decisions or judgments.  

Salary : $16 - $17