Director of Facilities

Director of Facilities

The Director of Facilities provides leadership and oversight for all district facilities, custodial services, maintenance operations, grounds, facility improvement projects, safety compliance programs, and emergency response activities across all district campuses. The Director is responsible for ensuring district facilities are safe, clean, secure, well-maintained, and supportive of educational, athletic, extracurricular, and community activities. The position supervises facilities personnel, manages departmental budgets, oversees contractors and facility projects, and ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Personnel Management: Supervise, evaluate, train, develop, and direct custodial, maintenance, and grounds personnel. Participate in hiring, onboarding, employee development, and disciplinary processes. Establish departmental goals, expectations, and performance standards. Develop staffing schedules and work assignments. Promote a culture of safety, accountability, customer service, and teamwork. Conduct regular inspections and monitor employee performance. Address employee performance concerns in a timely and consistent manner through coaching, corrective action, and performance management processes. Develop and maintain performance expectations, inspection procedures, and accountability measures for custodial, maintenance, and grounds staff.
• Custodial Operations: Direct district-wide custodial services and cleaning operations. Establish and maintain cleaning standards and quality assurance procedures. Coordinate custodial staffing, summer cleaning programs, and facility preparation activities. Manage custodial supplies, equipment, inventories, and related budgets. Ensure facilities are properly prepared for instructional programs, athletic events, extracurricular activities, and community use. Develop, implement, and monitor quality control and inspection programs to ensure consistent custodial standards across all campuses.
• Facilities Maintenance and Grounds: Ensure all district facilities and grounds are maintained in a safe, clean, secure, and operational condition. Develop and oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs. Direct maintenance activities involving HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, security, and mechanical systems. Manage work-order systems and prioritize maintenance requests. Coordinate grounds maintenance, snow removal, landscaping, and athletic facility preparation. Maintain equipment, vehicle, inspection, and maintenance records. Evaluate, prioritize, assign, and monitor work orders and service requests to ensure timely completion and effective customer service. Oversee the maintenance, repair, replacement, and operational readiness of District-owned vehicles, equipment, and support fleet assets. Coordinate preventive maintenance schedules, inspections, licensing requirements, and repair activities for District-owned vehicles. Coordinate vehicle-related accident reporting, insurance claims, repair estimates, and communications with insurance carriers, repair vendors, and District administration as needed. Monitor vehicle and equipment conditions and make recommendations regarding replacement, repair, and lifecycle planning.
• Construction, Compliance, and Emergency Response: Coordinate construction, renovation, remodeling, and facility improvement projects. Develop specifications and oversee contractors, consultants, architects, and vendors. Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including Health/Life Safety, AHERA, OSHA, and environmental requirements. Coordinate facility inspections and corrective actions. Serve as the district lead for facility-related emergency response and preparedness. Work collaboratively with law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management agencies. Advise the Superintendent regarding facility conditions, risks, and safety concerns.
• Budget and Administrative Responsibilities: Develop and administer Operations and Maintenance and Life Safety budgets. Prepare bid specifications and purchasing recommendations. Monitor expenditures and manage contracts and vendor performance. Prepare reports and recommendations for the Superintendent and Board of Education. Ensure compliance with District policies and Illinois School Code requirements. Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent. Analyze operational and project costs and provide recommendations regarding budgetary and operational impacts.

Qualifications:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field; minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in facilities, maintenance, construction, operations, or custodial management. Demonstrated experience in supervising personnel. Knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, building systems, grounds maintenance, and custodial operations. Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Preferred: Experience in public school facilities management. Knowledge of Illinois School Code, Health/Life Safety requirements, and public procurement procedures. AHERA and environmental compliance experience. Experience with work-order management systems and facility projects.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical Requirements: Frequently walk, stand, climb stairs, and travel between district facilities. Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and work in confined spaces. Frequently inspect rooftops, mechanical rooms, maintenance areas, construction sites, athletic facilities, and grounds. Climb ladders and access elevated work locations. Operate district vehicles and standard office equipment. Frequently lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds. Occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds independently. Occasionally move or position up to 75 pounds with assistance or mechanical equipment. Work Environment: Work is performed in offices, school buildings, maintenance areas, athletic facilities, rooftops, construction sites, and outdoor environments. Exposure to varying temperatures, weather conditions, machinery, chemicals, dust, and noise may occur. Must be available to respond to emergencies during evenings, weekends, holidays, and other non-duty hours. Position requires 24-hour on-call availability for significant facility emergencies.

This position is eligible for medical/dental/vision/health insurance, HSA, EAP services, tuition assistance, and paid time off. Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital, veteran status, or the presence of a non-job-related medical condition, or disability. In compliance with the immigration reform and control act of 1986, District 203 intends to hire only individuals authorized to work in the United States.