Facilities & Land Assistant

Position Summary:

This position will focus on improving the site for wildlife while collaborating with Mitchell Lake Audubon Center (MLAC) staff and volunteers. Responsibilities include performing light maintenance work on buildings, grounds, equipment and vehicles at MLAC. This position will work with staff on facilities use and planning, and whenever possible, work with volunteers on gardening, building and grounds upkeep, trails maintenance and other tasks, as directed by the Land & Conservation Coordinator and site management plan. The Facilities Assistant will regularly interact with diverse populations of visitors from around the world.

This position is on-site at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center location in San Antonio, TX.

Compensation:

$16.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Maintain Center vehicles, including UTV, riding mower, and electric golf carts.
• Maintain buildings and grounds, including upkeep of lawns, gardens, walkways, parking lots, trails, and buildings along with water/irrigation, plumbing, electrical systems.
• Coordinate with center staff to prepare for storms, protect property and refuge assets, and conduct cleanup and repairs following storm impact. Be available to respond to emergency issues.
• Provide assistance for weekend or after-hours meetings, weddings and other events that use the facilities, and to visitors.
• Collaborate with staff to recommend annual and periodic maintenance budget requests to Center Director.
• Partner with MLAC staff on the sustainable use and future planning for the Center’s facilities.
• Maintain and inventory stocked and organized equipment and supply areas.
• Assist Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
• Other duties as requested.

Qualifications and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
• At least one year experience with building and facilities maintenance, preferably at an outdoor facility. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Ability and willingness to use appropriate safety equipment is mandatory.
• Use of hand tools, lawn mowers, water pumps, water systems, power equipment will be required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Previous hospitality or guest service-related experience a plus.
• Must be self-motivated, energetic, team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of basic maintenance, repair, and safety issues essential, including vehicle, plumbing, electrical, and construction. Other craft skills highly desirable.
• Must have valid TX driver’s license.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. and move equipment and other landscaping and tools, with or without acommodation.
• 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.
• Interest in nature, historic preservation, education, working outdoors and working with volunteers desirable.
• Ability to calmly adapt to unexpected changes in priorities and in potentially stressful situations.
• Willingness to combine manual labor with administrative duties.
• Work experience in facility maintenance, landscape maintenance, hospitality, and customer service-related industries helpful.
• CPR certified with basic first aid skills and training desirable.

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

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.