Executive Assistant

Turn Your Passion for the Outdoors into a Career!

ABOUT US

Do you come alive on the trail? Love hiking, birdwatching, camping, or simply spending your days surrounded by nature? If the idea of wearing hiking boots to work, spotting wildlife during your lunch break, and being part of a collaborative, mission-driven team excites you, then Boyce Thompson Arboretum may be the perfect place for you.

Founded in 1924 by mining pioneer William Boyce Thompson, Boyce Thompson Arboretum is Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden. Situated on 374 breathtaking acres at the base of Picket Post Mountain and bordering the Tonto National Forest in Superior, Arizona, the Arboretum offers a truly unique work environment unlike any other.

Our living collection showcases extraordinary plants from the world's deserts and arid regions alongside the native beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Every day brings opportunities to experience nature firsthand, with miles of scenic trails, spectacular mountain views, and abundant wildlife throughout the grounds. It's not unusual to encounter javelina, bobcats, roadrunners, hummingbirds, and a variety of native and migratory birds while working and exploring the Arboretum.

As an independent nonprofit organization, we're united by a shared passion for conservation, education, horticulture, and creating meaningful experiences for our visitors. We value teamwork, stewardship, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.

Located just 30 minutes from Mesa and one hour from downtown Phoenix, Boyce Thompson Arboretum offers the opportunity to build a rewarding career while enjoying the beauty, adventure, and tranquility of the Arizona outdoors.

If you're looking for more than just a job—and want to be part of a community that inspires connection with nature every day—we'd love to hear from you.

JOB SUMMARY

The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is seeking an Executive Assistant that is passionate about working for a nonprofit and working with a dedicated team of people. The Executive Assistant reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for providing comprehensive executive level administrative support and acting as a liaison to the Board of Directors. The incumbent will provide support, coordination and oversight of administrative processes for the Executive Director, Sr. Leadership Team and the Arboretum. The Executive Assistant prioritizes, organizes, coordinates and oversees the Executive Director’s administrative and office details, tasks and functions ensuring effective and efficient office operations while maintaining confidentiality of a variety of information. This position acts as a liaison for the Board of Directors and provides administrative support for Board Committee meetings and Board meetings. In addition, the Executive Assistant serves as a liaison with Arboretum staff, board members, donors, community members, government agencies and external partners. Project Management is an important aspect of this position, and the Executive Assistant may be responsible for providing oversight and support for a variety of projects with minimal supervision

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for managing the Executive Director’s calendar, correspondence and electronic communication; drafts correspondence and ensures timely response; extends invitations on behalf of the Executive Director; 
• Acts as a liaison to the Board of Directors and provides administrative support to all meetings and activities. This includes meeting set up, correspondence, minutes, maintaining Board contact lists and uploading documents to the Board portal.
• Provides administrative support that includes filing both in paper and electronic systems, maintaining databases and electronic spreadsheets and other basic office tasks as needed.
• Prepares the Executive Director for meetings, speaking engagements and events. Plans events as needed that support the activities of the Executive Director and the Arboretum.
• Provides planning, organization, and administrative support for special projects/assignments.
• Take on special projects and drive them to completion.
• Assist the HR Generalist and Safety Officer with maintaining safety records and updating materials as needed.
• Supports program and conservation activities as needed. This includes scheduling working group meetings, event planning, meeting facilitation, minutes and follow up.
• Make independent decisions and judgments on areas of responsibility with limited supervision, 
• Schedules travel for Sr. Leadership team/ staff and processes expense reports.
• Manage different and often conflicting schedules, projects and/or activities.
• Plans, organizes and provides administrative support for a variety of confidential correspondence, presentations and communications.
• Provides thorough meeting minutes and action items when needed.
• Sets priorities and timelines with the Executive Director and executes according to decisions. 
• Assists the development Department with donor engagement and correspondence as it relates to the Executive Director.
• Provides support for HR including but not limited to: maintaining employee data, planning employee engagement activities including events, training and communications.
• Maintains confidentiality throughout the organization both internal and externally.
• Interact in a professional manner with external and internal stakeholders to accomplish assigned tasks.
• This list is not comprehensive, and other tasks not mentioned here may be required. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Office Administration, or related field.
• Three (3) years varied and increasingly responsible office and/or administrative support experience
• Minimum of one (1) year experience supporting an executive level position
• Must have a valid AZ Driver’s License or ability to obtain one. Clean driving record required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to effectively work with a wide range of people.
• Ability to be proactive and strategic, takes initiative, and thinks strategically to align tasks with the executive's goals.  
• Strong organization and time management skills that provide the ability to multitask, prioritize effectively, and manage the executive's time.
•  Detail-oriented and possesses strong organizational and time-management skills to handle complex schedules and projects efficiently.
• Ability to solve problems, think critically, anticipate needs and resolve issues as they arise.
• Technical proficiency: A high level of computer literacy, especially with software like Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook), is required.
• Ability to remain composed and resourceful when managing shifting priorities and unexpected challenges.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity, discretion and trustworthiness
• Ability to handle competing priorities, fast paced work environment and changes in scheduling and tasks.
• Ability to communicate with fellow staff, applicants, stake holders, visitors, and donors. Communication will include one-to-one, small, and large group communication. Communications need to be in English. Communication means both written and oral communication.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical abilities and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable?accommodation?may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Majority of the work associated with this position is primarily performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.
• Ability to communicate with fellow staff, applicants, stakeholders, visitors, and donors. Communication will include one-to-one, small, and large group communication. Communications need to be in English. Communication means both written and oral communication. 
• Ability to work in a sedentary position for up to 8 hours at a time.
• Must be able to occasionally work on weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Ability to lift 10 pounds. During special events activities, may be required to lift up to 50 pounds with assistance.   
• Must have the ability to walk short distances and move throughout the arboretum office and grounds, occasionally traverse uneven terrain and hiking conditions, and perform repetitive movement of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. 
• Fully functional vision is required to perform essential duties of the position (prescription lenses are acceptable).