Staff Spotlight: Meet Bob Andrew

Meeting Bob Andrew puts a smile on your face. Any coworker of Bob will tell you that he is a positive person who is always ready to help. His job on the Facilities team at United Counseling Service (UCS) is a great fit and gives him the opportunity to help others every day.

“I like that I’m helping people, but I’m behind the scenes,” says Bob. “I’m making a difference in my own way. That makes me feel good.”

Bob has worked with the Facilities team for just short of a year and helps to ensure the safety of all clients and staff. Every day is different and depends on the needs at UCS’ various buildings and grounds. A workday could include facility inspections, groundskeeping tasks like mowing and planting, event setup, transportation, recycling, snow plowing, and completing work orders from staff as they appear. The Facilities team also makes sure that the agency is accessible for all by keeping buildings up to code as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Though there is never a shortage of work to be done, Bob loves the lack of stress in his daily work. “This is the first time I’ve had that,” says Bob. “We get things done, but there’s no stress worrying about the next day, and the next.”

Bob’s team and the people he sees every day make his job special. He credits Facilities Supervisor Jeff for creating a supportive atmosphere and understanding when life requires him to take time off. Everyone on his team, he says, are there when you need them. “My favorite part about my job is the people. The people are amazing, flat out. With everything to worry about, you know that you have your job, and you can take a little time off if you need it. That helps a lot.” He also credits his fellow Facilities team members for doing a great job in training him, for example, with snow plowing in the winter. Snow plowing was something he had little experience in when he arrived at UCS, but now he feels confident.

Outside of work, Bob is renovating his two-story house in Hoosick Falls. The old house needs new sheetrock, insulation, bathroom, and fresh landscaping. It’s a big project, but he loves the pride that comes with fixing the house himself. “The landscaping needs a lot of love, but It’s kind of fun because I can visualize how I want to do it, in my own way.” Between renovating his house and working part-time at Walmart in the afternoons and on the weekends, Bob hopes to find more time for hiking and swimming. He loves to swim at any lake or water park. Last year, Bob helped to set up UCS’ Superhero 5K and Kids’ Dash with the Facilities team and then ran the 5K as a participant. There is always something Bob is doing or planning to do, and still, it is rare to see him without a smile on his face. His coworkers at UCS would agree that he makes the agency a better place. For Bob, the feeling is mutual. “UCS is a great place to work, obviously,” says Bob. “I enjoy working here, and I like to think we’re making a difference in the community.”