Director of Facilities Maintenance - Operations Center

Job Description

Job Description

Queens Public Library is a national and international leader in the delivery of public library service. Our mission is to transform lives by cultivating personal and intellectual growth and by building strong communities. Queens Public Library welcomes innovators and leaders to contribute to a long history and dynamic future of serving the most diverse county in the United States. Queens Public Library is a private, non-profit corporation serving 66 locations.

Job Description

Reporting to the Vice President of Facilities and Environmental Services (FES), the Director of Facilities Maintenance oversees maintenance operations throughout the Queens Public Library (QPL) system, ensuring that buildings, mechanical systems, equipment, infrastructure, and grounds remain safe, functional, efficient, and compliant with applicable requirements. The Director manages preventive and corrective maintenance, supervises maintenance staff, coordinates contractors, oversees maintenance expenditures, responds to emergencies, and supports capital improvements to maintain reliable facilities and uninterrupted library services. Must be on call 24/7.  Performs other duties as assigned.

Facilities Operations and Preventive Maintenance

• Directs systemwide maintenance operations, including HVAC, boilers, chillers, plumbing, electrical systems, building automation systems (BMS/BAS), elevators, fire protection systems, roofs, and building infrastructure.
• Develops and monitors preventive maintenance programs, conduct facility inspections, prioritize repairs, and address recurring deficiencies to reduce equipment failures and emergency costs.
• Coordinates emergency response to leaks, flooding, utility failures, HVAC outages, elevator shutdowns, severe weather, and other conditions affecting building safety or operations.

Regulatory Compliance and Life Safety

• Maintains working knowledge of applicable NYC Department of Buildings fire, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, elevator, environmental, accessibility, energy, and occupational safety requirements.
• Coordinates required inspections, testing, permits, certifications, and corrective actions, including applicable Local Laws, elevator inspections, boiler and mechanical requirements, RPZ/backflow prevention testing, fire and life safety systems, and sustainability and energy compliance.
• Maintains compliance calendars and accurate records of inspections, violations, certifications, and corrective work; ensure deficiencies are addressed within applicable deadlines, and significant hazards are promptly escalated.
• Coordinates regulated work with appropriately licensed contractors and qualified professionals.

Staff Supervision and Workforce Management

• Supervises, trains, and evaluates maintenance managers, supervisors, and maintenance personnel; establishes expectations for attendance, productivity, workmanship, safety, and accountability.
• Coordinates staffing, work assignments, overtime, emergency coverage, and training while adhering to QPL policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Monitors employee performance and work quality, address deficiencies, and support staff development and succession planning.

Work Orders and Contractor Management

• Establishes and monitors work-order procedures, ensuring requests are prioritized by safety, compliance, urgency, and operational impact.
• Manages maintenance contractors and vendors, review scopes of work and estimates, monitor performance, and verify completed work and invoices against approved requirements.
• Tracks warranties, deficiencies, repeat repairs, and incomplete work; maintain supporting documentation and pursue corrective action when necessary.
• Coordinates with procurement and FES leadership regarding contracts, service requirements, and opportunities to improve performance and reduce costs.

Capital Projects and Building Improvements

• Coordinates with Capital Projects Management (CPM), consultants, contractors, and QPL leadership on maintenance-related capital projects.
• Provides technical assessments and recommendations regarding building conditions, equipment replacement, infrastructure needs, and repair-versus-replacement decisions.
• Reviews proposed systems and equipment for reliability, maintainability, energy efficiency, and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
• Participates in inspections, commissioning, staff training, and project turnover; ensure operating manuals, warranties, system documentation, and required access credentials are provided and outstanding deficiencies are tracked.

Budget and Resource Management

• Assists in preparing and monitoring the maintenance operating budget, including contracts, supplies, equipment, overtime, and emergency repairs.
• Evaluates expenditures, prioritize work based on risk and available funding, and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety, compliance, or essential services.
• Prepares budget projections, expenditure reports, project justifications, and recommendations supporting responsible resource allocation and long-term asset preservation.

Energy Management and Sustainability

• Monitors building-system performance, energy consumption, HVAC schedules, and building automation controls to identify efficiency improvements.
• Supports applicable sustainability and emissions requirements, energy conservation initiatives, and equipment upgrades while maintaining occupant comfort and reliable operations.

Communication, Documentation, and Emergency Preparedness

• Maintains accurate work orders, equipment histories, inspection records, contractor reports, and incident documentation.
• Provides timely reports to the Vice President of FES regarding facility conditions, staffing, expenditures, compliance issues, major repairs, and operational risks.
• Coordinates with branch management and custodial leadership regarding maintenance needs, service disruptions, seasonal transitions, winterization, snow and ice preparedness, and severe weather response.
• Develops and implements maintenance procedures and emergency-response practices that support continuity of library operations.

Required Education, Certifications And Experience

• Associate degree in facilities management, building systems, engineering technology, construction management, or a related field required; a bachelor’s degree is desirable.
• At least 8 years of responsible experience in facilities maintenance, building operations, mechanical systems, and at least 6 years of supervision of maintenance personnel and contractors, including supervision of a unionized workforce.
• Managing maintenance operations in a large, complex, multi-site facility.
• Knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, building automation, fire and life safety systems, and applicable building codes and inspection requirements.
• Familiarity with NYC Local Laws, elevator inspections, RPZ/backflow prevention, environmental compliance, sustainability requirements, and workplace safety.
• Experience with budgeting, preventive maintenance programs, work-order systems, contractor oversight, and emergency response.
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and standard office software.
• Relevant technical licenses and certifications are desirable; licensed professionals must perform work where required by law.
• Must be available 24/7.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

This is a non-union position. The starting annual salary range is  $135,000.00 - $150,000.00. The Queens Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Queens Public Library is a national and international leader in the delivery of public library service. We transform lives by cultivating personal and intellectual growth and by building strong communities. Queens Public Library welcomes innovators and leaders to contribute to a long history and dynamic future of offering pioneering programs and services to the most diverse county in the United States. Queens Public Library is a private, non-profit corporation with 1,400 employees serving 66 locations.

Queens Public Library has been named one of America’s Best Midsize Employers by Forbes Magazine!

Company Description

Queens Public Library is a national and international leader in the delivery of public library service. We transform lives by cultivating personal and intellectual growth and by building strong communities. Queens Public Library welcomes innovators and leaders to contribute to a long history and dynamic future of offering pioneering programs and services to the most diverse county in the United States. Queens Public Library is a private, non-profit corporation with 1,400 employees serving 66 locations.\r\rQueens Public Library has been named one of America’s Best Midsize Employers by Forbes Magazine!