What are the responsibilities and job description for the Facilities General Helper position at Stephens College?
The Facilities General Helper provides general labor and support to the Facilities team in maintaining a safe, clean, functional, and attractive campus. This position assists with maintenance, grounds, custodial support, mailroom operations, event setups, moving, deliveries, and other campus needs.
The ideal candidate is dependable, hardworking, safety-conscious, willing to learn, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
General Maintenance Support
- Assist general maintenance staff with routine maintenance, repairs, and campus projects.
- Move, load, unload, and transport furniture, equipment, supplies, and materials.
- Assist with event setups, move-in, move-out, deliveries, and other campus activities.
- Perform basic painting, patching, caulking, changing filters and other general maintenance tasks.
- Assist with minor repairs and preventative maintenance under the direction of general maintenance staff.
- Use basic hand and power tools safely after proper training.
- Maintain clean and organized work areas.
Mailroom Support
- Provide backup support to the campus mailroom as needed.
- Receive, sort, organize, and distribute mail and packages.
- Load students packages and tag faculty/staff package when received.
- Assist with outgoing mail, shipping, and package preparation.
- Move and transport mail and packages throughout campus.
- Maintain organized mailroom and package staging areas.
- Handle mail and packages professionally and confidentially.
Grounds and Custodial Support
- Assist with general campus grounds upkeep, including litter removal, weeding, mulching, planting, and seasonal work.
- Assist custodial staff with moving furniture, room preparation, cleaning support, and special projects.
- Assist with storm cleanup, snow and ice removal, and other seasonal needs.
- Report maintenance, safety, or facility concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
On-Call Responsibilities
- Participate in the Facilities department’s on-call rotation and respond to after-hours facility needs and emergencies as scheduled.
- Follow established procedures for documenting and communicating after-hours calls, work, and follow-up needs.
Safety and Customer Service
- Follow all Facilities safety procedures, OSHA requirements, and campus policies.
- Properly use PPE and operate equipment only after appropriate training.
- Provide courteous and professional service to students, faculty, staff, visitors, and vendors.
- Maintain professionalism and confidentiality when working in occupied campus spaces and handling mail or packages.
- Report accidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, or property damage immediately.
Other Duties
- Assist other Facilities and Operations teams as workload and departmental needs require.
- Work during move-in, move-out, special events, severe weather, and other periods of increased activity.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Previous experience in maintenance, construction, landscaping, custodial work, general labor, moving, or mail/package handling preferred but not required.
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
- Ability to safely use basic tools and equipment after training.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Valid driver’s license; Class E preferred.
- Reliable attendance and punctuality.
- Ability and willingness to participate in the department’s on-call rotation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Dependable and hardworking with a strong work ethic.
- Willingness to learn and assist in multiple areas of Facilities and Operations.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good communication and customer service skills.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and respond to changing needs.
- Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality when handling mail, packages, and working in occupied campus spaces.
Physical Requirements
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, reaching, and climbing stairs.
- Ability to lift and carry materials and equipment up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- May occasionally work in confined, elevated, or physically demanding areas.
- May require evening, weekend, holiday, or after-hours work as part of the on-call rotation.
Work Environment
This position works throughout campus, including academic buildings, offices, residence halls, shops, mechanical spaces, the mailroom, and outdoor areas. The position may be exposed to noise, dust, chemicals, machinery, and varying weather conditions.
The Facilities General Laborer/Helper is expected to contribute to a team-oriented, service-focused, and safety-conscious work environment and assist wherever departmental needs require.
Founded in 1833, Stephens College is the second-oldest women's college in the United States, dedicated to providing innovative, experiential, and career-focused education across various disciplines. Located in Columbia, Missouri, Stephens College continues to be a leader in women's education, fostering a community where students are empowered to lead, innovate, and excel. The college also provides flexible, co-educational master’s degrees and certificates for working professionals, and is home to the co-educational Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College.
Ranked (over and over again) as one of the best college towns in America, Columbia, Missouri, is home to 36,000 college students and 118,000 residents. Columbia — conveniently located approximately 100 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis — has it all: big-time college sports, film, music and arts festivals, a high-energy arts community, amazing recreation, and a great downtown with lots of places to eat, shop, snack and check out the latest bands. The Columbia community offers outstanding health care options, as well as excellent educational opportunities for every level of student (including our own Children’s School).
Stephens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will recruit and employ qualified personnel without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran.