Facilities and Agricultural Operations Specialist

Facilities & Agricultural Operations Specialist

Organization: Cincinnati Urban Promise

Reports To: Chief Program Officer/Designee

Agricultural Work Supervision: Agriculture Director

Classification: Full-Time, $20-25 per hour

Position Summary

The Facilities & Agricultural Operations Specialist supports the mission of Cincinnati Urban Promise by helping maintain safe, functional, attractive, and welcoming facilities and grounds while also providing hands-on support for CUP's urban agriculture programs.

This is a physically active, hands-on position that combines general building and grounds maintenance with agricultural, landscaping, and outdoor project work. The employee is expected to work independently on routine maintenance responsibilities and collaboratively with the Agriculture Director on agricultural projects, property improvements, seasonal work, and other projects involving CUP's gardens, growing spaces, and grounds.

Essential Responsibilities

Facilities Maintenance & Repair

• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs throughout CUP's buildings and property.
• Complete basic carpentry, painting, patching, hardware replacement, furniture repair, and
• similar maintenance tasks.
• Identify maintenance concerns and communicate repair needs that require outside contractors or specialized trades.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance tasks and inspections as assigned.
• Assemble, install, move, and repair furniture, shelving, equipment, and other facility items.
• Assist with room setups, special events, deliveries, and movement of equipment and
• supplies.
• Maintain tools, maintenance equipment, storage areas, and workspaces in a safe and organized condition.
• Respond to maintenance requests and complete assigned work within established timelines.
• Assist with monitoring the condition of plumbing, electrical, HV AC, doors, windows, lighting, and other building systems and promptly report concerns.
• Coordinate with supervisors regarding contractors, repairs, inspections, and facility improvement projects as assigned.

Grounds & Property Maintenance

• Maintain CUP's outdoor spaces, including mowing, trimming, weeding, pruning, leaf removal, litter removal, and general property cleanup.
• Assist with snow and ice removal and other weather-related property needs.
• Maintain sidewalks, play areas, fencing, garden areas, outdoor furniture, sheds, and other exterior spaces.
• Support seasonal property preparation and cleanup.
• Help ensure exterior areas remain safe and accessible for children, families, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
  

Agriculture & Urban Farming

Under the direction of the Agriculture Director:

• Assist with planting, cultivating, maintaining, and harvesting vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, and other crops.
• Prepare garden beds and growing areas, including soil preparation, compost application, mulching, and amendments.
• Assist with irrigation installation, maintenance, and watering.
• Perform weeding, pruning, trellising, harvesting, composting, and other routine agricultural tasks.
• Assist with construction and maintenance of raised beds, fencing, trellises, compost systems, growing structures, and other agricultural infrastructure.
• Operate and maintain appropriate lawn, garden, and agricultural tools and equipment.
• Assist with greenhouse, indoor growing, propagation, or season-extension projects as applicable.
• Support agricultural improvement and expansion projects throughout CUP's property.
• Assist the Agriculture Director with projects involving students, volunteers, community members, or partner organizations when needed.
• Help maintain agricultural spaces in a condition that is safe, organized, productive, and appropriate for educational programming.
  

Special Projects & Organizational Support

• Complete construction, repair, landscaping, agricultural, and property improvement projects assigned by organizational leadership.
• Work collaboratively with the Agriculture Director on projects requiring maintenance, construction, equipment operation, or other practical skills.
• Assist with setup and cleanup for organizational programs and special events.
• Support emergency facility needs when reasonably necessary.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of completed work, maintenance needs, purchases, and projects as requested.
• Follow CUP policies regarding purchasing, tool and equipment use, safety, building access, and interaction with students.
• Perform other duties reasonably related to facilities, grounds, agriculture, and organizational operations.

Physical Requirements

This position requires regular physical activity and work in both indoor and outdoor environments. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

• Regularly standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, and climbing stairs.
• Safely lifting and carrying materials, equipment, tools, soil, supplies, and other items commonly associated with maintenance and agricultural work.
• Working outdoors during varying seasonal weather conditions, including heat and cold.
• Performing work in areas that may involve dirt, dust, grass, pollen, mud, insects, and other conditions normally associated with grounds maintenance and agriculture.
• Safely using hand tools, power tools, lawn and garden equipment, ladders, and other equipment appropriate to assigned responsibilities.
• Moving throughout CUP's building and property throughout the workday.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated ability to perform general maintenance, repair, landscaping, construction, agricultural, or similar hands-on work.
• Ability to safely use common hand and power tools.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to prioritize assigned tasks and complete work with limited supervision.
• Dependable attendance and ability to maintain an established work schedule.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple supervisors and program staff.
• Willingness and ability to perform both indoor maintenance and outdoor agricultural work.
• Professional conduct appropriate for working in an environment serving children and families.
  

Preferred

• Experience with general building maintenance or facilities operations.
• Experience with gardening, farming, landscaping, horticulture, or urban agriculture.
• Basic carpentry or construction experience.
• Experience maintaining lawn, garden, or agricultural equipment.
• Experience working for a school, childcare center, nonprofit organization, community center, or similar facility.
  
  

Supervision & Work Assignment

The Facilities & Agricultural Operations Specialist receives overall supervision from the Chief Program Officer or designated organizational leader.

The Agriculture Director provides day-to-day direction for agricultural work, including planting, growing, harvesting, garden maintenance, agricultural infrastructure, and agriculture-related property projects.

The employee is expected to communicate with both supervisors regarding workload and priorities. When competing maintenance and agricultural priorities arise, organizational leadership will determine the appropriate priority.

Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position includes:

• Maintenance requests are completed accurately and within reasonable timelines.
• Facilities and grounds are routinely inspected and maintained rather than relying solely on emergency repairs.
• Work areas, tools, and equipment remain organized and properly maintained.
• Safety concerns are identified and communicated promptly.
• Agricultural projects assigned by the Agriculture Director are completed reliably and according to established timelines.
• The employee demonstrates initiative while staying within the scope of their skills and seeking approval or professional assistance when a repair requires specialized expertise.
• The employee communicates clearly about work completed, work still needed, materials required, and barriers to completing assigned projects.
• The employee maintains professional and cooperative relationships with staff, students, families, volunteers, contractors, and community partners.

Must be able to pass a background check if hired.