Grounds Operations Coordinator

Job Details Job Location: Omaha Zoo - Omaha, NE Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: Undisclosed

Description:

Job Title: Grounds Operations Coordinator FLSA Status: Non-exempt Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week; includes weekends and holidays; schedule may vary based on operational needs) Pay Rate: Range starts at $18.62/hour

Summary:

The Grounds Operations Coordinator provides daily leadership, coordination, and oversight of Grounds Crew Members to ensure a clean, safe, and visually appealing environment at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. This position supports guest experience by supervising grounds maintenance activities, ensuring work quality, and modeling professional conduct. The Grounds Operations Coordinator reports directly to the Supervisor of Grounds.

Duties and Responsibilities (including the following but not limited to):

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership, direction, and coaching to Grounds Crew Members.

Assign and oversee daily work tasks to ensure timely completion and high standards of cleanliness.

• Monitor work quality and productivity, providing feedback and support as needed.
• Oversee and manage scheduling, timekeeping, and coordinating shift coverage.
• Ensure compliance with Zoo policies, safety procedures, and department expectations.

Serve as the primary point of contact for team members regarding daily assignments and questions.

• Identify and report maintenance issues, safety hazards, and operational concerns to the Supervisor of Grounds.

Grounds Maintenance

• Oversee removal of trash, debris, and landscape mulch from parking lots and landscaped areas.
• Ensure pathways and public areas remain clean, including spills, food waste, and gum.

Supervise trash and recycling pickup efforts and maintain bins in a clean and orderly manner.

• Assist with cleaning and maintenance of trash bins, ticket kiosks, tables, chairs, umbrellas, benches, play structures, and sculptures.
• Support collaboration with the Grounds and Horticulture teams to maintain shared environments.

General Responsibilities Operate and supervise safe use of basic groundskeeping tools and equipment (brooms, mops, scrapers, rakes, leaf blowers).

• Provide accurate, professional guest information and assistance.

Model and promote a positive, guest-focused attitude.

• Ensure team compliance with all safety protocols, including proper PPE use.
• Maintain proper radio etiquette when using the Zoo’s multi-channel communication system.
• Assist with special projects and additional duties as assigned.

Seasonal Responsibilities

• Participate in and oversee spring and fall cleanup tasks.
• Assist with mulching and weeding as needed.
• Support event setup and teardown for seasonal functions.
• Assist with snow removal, including shoveling, salting, and operation of equipment where trained.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to lead, direct, and motivate a team. Basic knowledge of grounds maintenance practices, tools, and equipment. Strong communication and customer service skills. Ability to recognize safety hazards and respond appropriately. Ability to work independently and make decisions in the absence of direct supervision.

Ability to maintain professionalism in a high-guest-use environment.

Qualifications:

Must be 18 years of age or older. Prior groundskeeping, landscaping, or maintenance experience preferred. Previous leadership or supervisory experience strongly preferred. Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varied hours as needed. Valid driver’s license preferred. High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Grounds Crew Members Seasonal and temporary staff as assigned

Leadership Expectations:

All leaders at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium are expected to:

Foster connection, trust, and transparency by leading with honesty, consistency, and inclusion. Leaders who embody these principles build a sense of community – creating an environment where team members feel seen, valued and united in purpose. This foundation enables teams to thrive and share in the joy of working together toward common goals.

• Maintain two-way communication by regularly connecting with team members and encouraging dialogue. Open communication fuels innovation by ensuring all voices are heard and ideas are shared, driving our collective impact.
• Create space for feedback – both giving and receiving – and follow up meaningfully. By valuing feedback, we promote an environment of care, where growth and improvement are supported, leading to impactful outcomes for both individuals and teams.

Model accountability and responsiveness by owning outcomes and addressing issues timely. This demonstrates care for the team’s well-being and ensures that our actions have a meaningful, positive impact on the organization. Promote psychological safety by supporting open expression without fear of retaliation or judgment. A psychologically safe environment is fundamental to fostering joy in the workplace and enables everyone to contribute to our collective success with confidence.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

Work performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and snow. Shifts may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Exposure to outdoor elements, cleaning agents, and equipment noise. Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, and lifting.

Ability to lift up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally using safe lifting techniques. Continuous physical activity and equipment use throughout the Zoo. Must wear closed-toe shoes at all times. Candidates are required to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test.DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work expected for this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the role. Duties may be modified as needed to support organizational goals. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.

Qualifications: