Building Services Supervisor: UT Space Institute

The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) seeks a Building Services Supervisor to provide day-to-day leadership and operational oversight for custodial services across the campus. Reporting to the Group Director of Facilities, this position supervises assigned custodial employees, develops and adjusts work schedules, assigns and monitors work, trains staff, evaluates performance, and helps ensure consistent service across academic, administrative, research, event, and common-use facilities.

The supervisor also performs and supports custodial work as needed, inspects completed work, maintains cleaning and safety standards, identifies facility or equipment concerns, monitors custodial supplies and equipment, and ensures the proper use of cleaning chemicals, tools, and personal protective equipment. The position responds to changing campus priorities and supports reliable, safe, efficient, and professional custodial services throughout UTSI.

Responsibilities

Supervision, Scheduling, Work Orders, and Administrative Coordination (40%)

• Supervise assigned custodial staff responsible for services across UTSI campus buildings.

• Develop daily, weekly, and periodic cleaning schedules; adjust assignments based on staffing, events, service priorities, and campus needs.

• Assign, monitor, and follow up on custodial work orders and service requests through the University’s work order or computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).

• Train and retrain employees in custodial procedures, equipment operation, chemical safety, personal protective equipment, work order procedures, customer service expectations, and departmental standards.

• Monitor performance, conduct evaluations, provide coaching and feedback, approve time, monitor attendance, and address performance or conduct concerns in coordination with the Group Director of Facilities.

• Participate in hiring, interviews, onboarding, disciplinary recommendations, and other personnel actions as appropriate.

• Maintain operational records and communicate regularly with the Group Director of Facilities regarding staffing, service levels, employee concerns, supplies, building conditions, and customer requests.

Custodial Operations (40%)

• Perform and support routine custodial work in offices, classrooms, restrooms, laboratories, conference areas, common spaces, event spaces, and other assigned campus facilities.

• Sweep, mop, vacuum, dust, clean and sanitize restrooms, remove trash and recycling, restock supplies, and complete other routine cleaning tasks as needed.

• Perform or assist with floor care, carpet extraction, deep cleaning, emergency cleanup, odor- or pest-related cleaning support, and event setup or cleanup.

• Operate custodial tools and equipment, including vacuums, carts, buffers, scrubbers, extractors, and related equipment.

• Assist with moving furniture, equipment, supplies, and materials to support campus events, office moves, facility needs, and daily operations.

• Respond to spills, urgent cleaning needs, service requests, and special assignments promptly and professionally.

Quality Control, Safety, and Inventory (10%)

• Inspect buildings, restrooms, common areas, and completed assignments to ensure cleaning, safety, and campus appearance standards are met; follow up on corrective action when needed.

• Identify and report maintenance problems, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, pest or odor concerns, and other facility needs.

• Ensure cleaning chemicals, tools, supplies, and equipment are used, stored, and secured properly, and enforce safe work practices and required personal protective equipment.

• Monitor supply inventory and equipment condition, request replenishment, and assist with product evaluation or vendor coordination as needed.

Special Projects and Other Duties (10%)

• Support periodic custodial projects, special cleaning assignments, conferences, and event-related custodial needs.

• Coordinate with other Facilities and Infrastructure staff to support maintenance activities, events, emergency response, and overall campus operations.

• Perform other duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or GED

Experience:

• At least three years of relevant experience in custodial services, building services, facilities operations, institutional maintenance, or a closely related field, including at least one year of supervisory, lead-worker, or work-direction experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of custodial operations, cleaning methods, cleaning chemicals, equipment use, and safe work practices.

• Skill in supervising, directing, training, and evaluating the work of others.

• Skill in planning, organizing, prioritizing, and coordinating daily work across multiple buildings or work areas.

• Ability to work cooperatively and coordinate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, customers, and other campus personnel.

• Ability to use basic computer systems, email, electronic timekeeping, Microsoft Office, and work order or CMMS systems.

• Ability to read, understand, and follow oral and written instructions, safety data sheets, procedures, work orders, and schedules.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, resolve routine operational issues, and refer complex matters to the Group Director of Facilities.

• Ability to safely perform custodial work involving prolonged standing and walking, repetitive motion, bending, reaching, climbing, and lifting or moving materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Skill in safely using, inspecting, and performing routine operator maintenance on custodial tools and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Vocational or technical training, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or other relevant licenses or certifications.

Experience:

• Three years of supervisory experience in custodial or building services, preferably in a campus, institutional, research, healthcare, industrial, or multi-building environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of custodial operations in a campus, institutional, research, industrial, or similar multi-building environment.

• Knowledge of custodial considerations for laboratories, technical workspaces, event spaces, offices, classrooms, and public-facing facilities.

• Skill in coaching employees, resolving routine workplace issues, and supporting a positive, service-oriented team culture.

• Skill in improving work processes, staffing efficiency, cleaning schedules, safety practices, and customer service outcomes.

Work Location and Conditions

• Location : University of Tennessee Space Institute, Tullahoma, Tennessee

• Work arrangement: Onsite

• Schedule : First shift, with occasional evening and weekend work

• This position is designated as essential personnel for emergencies and may be required to report when the University has suspended or delayed operations.

• Valid driver’s license required.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of required background screening, drug screening, and security clearance checks.

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR07

• Anticipated hiring range: $50,000 - $55,000

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the following attachments:

• Resume

• Cover letter

About the University of Tennessee Space Institute

The University of Tennessee Space Institute is a graduate education and research institution located in Tullahoma, Tennessee. UTSI advances education, research, and innovation in aerospace, engineering, science, and related fields through collaboration with the Tickle College of Engineering, university partners, government agencies, industry, and the surrounding community. Facilities and Infrastructure supports the safe, reliable, and effective operation of the campus and the specialized environments that serve UTSI’s academic and research mission.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

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