Director: Buildings & Grounds - Buildings & Grounds Department (2026-27)

Oakland Unified School District•Oakland, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under minimal supervision, the Director of Buildings and Grounds plans, organizes and directs the maintenance and repair of the District’s buildings, grounds, and related facilities. The Director, Buildings and Grounds directly supervises the following functions: structural maintenance, minor construction and repair, preventive maintenance, electrical maintenance and repair, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, pavements and grounds, audio-visual repair and gardening. The role also involves maintaining confidentiality of all personnel matters, with some duties requiring access to confidential information concerning employer-employee relations.

Requirements

Bachelor Degree or its equivalency required (2 years of similar and relevant work level experience = 1 year of college) in civil engineering or related field with supplementary course work in management and organizational administration.
A combination of experience and education may be used to meet the Bachelor Degree requirement; however, the work experience years used to qualify for the Bachelor Degree requirement cannot be used to meet the work requirement.
Extensive and successful working experience in a comparable position may be substituted for the degree requirement.
Five (5) years increasing responsible buildings and grounds maintenance, including two (2) years of supervisory or managerial experience in a commercial or governmental environment including pesticide application.
Sufficient supervisory experience in facilities engineering and building maintenance to develop a comprehensive maintenance, minor construction and repair program.
Valid California Driver’s License.
Employment eligibility will include fingerprints, tuberculosis and/or other employment clearance.
Knowledge of civil engineering and maintenance techniques.
Knowledge of administration and management control methods.
Knowledge of planning techniques.
Knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used in the various building and ground maintenance specialties.
Knowledge of building construction and maintenance practices and the laws governing construction and repair of public school buildings.
Knowledge of grounds maintenance practices.
Knowledge of District, union, state and federal personnel regulations and procedures.
Knowledge of District administrative procedures.
Knowledge of State construction and building codes.
Knowledge of planning, organization and coordination needed for assigned program.
Knowledge of diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of District students.
Knowledge of correct English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Knowledge of computer software, hardware, and related technology.
Ability to develop management control systems.
Ability to plan and implement an effective organizational structure.
Ability to develop and implement programs to improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to document results of projects and investigations.
Ability to read, interpret, and work from drawings and blueprints.
Ability to estimate materials and labor costs.
Ability to layout, schedule, direct, and control a diversified maintenance work program.
Ability to supervise and train personnel.
Ability to keep records and prepare reports.
Ability to develop and monitor budgets.
Ability to produce and interpret spreadsheets.
Ability to meet deadlines with severe time constraints.
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
Ability to operate personal computer, related software, and other office equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with a unified school district involving sports field and track maintenance is preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain District buildings and grounds in top condition.
Promote the safety, health, and comfort of students and employees in District buildings and grounds.
Conduct detailed inspections of buildings and grounds, and establish maintenance and repair schedules for District facilities; assess the quality and efficiency of Buildings and Grounds services.
Develop long-range and short-range plans for Buildings and Grounds operations.
Organize Buildings and Grounds functions and coordinates interaction among the various entities.
Establish overall Buildings and Grounds policies and procedures; review and approve policies and procedures developed by subordinates in charge of functional areas; ensure an economical, safe and efficient work environment; advise immediate supervisor of unusual trends or problems and recommend appropriate corrective action.
Develop a budget through the analysis of program funding requirements; monitor expenditures to budget and initiates appropriate action to correct cost control problems.
Respond to inquiries and requests for Buildings and Grounds support from school administrators and District officials.
Work in conjunction with site administrators to develop an annual maintenance plan for each site.
Establish appropriate work priorities.
Order and maintain suitable supplies, tools, and equipment for all District facilities and property; keep inventory on maintenance equipment and supplies.
Coordinate special investigations and projects to improve operational efficiency and to assess District requirements for maintenance, minor construction and repair services.
Develop a system for handling emergency repair problems.
Ensure that all activities conform to government regulations protecting the health, safety, and rights of employees and the public (including but not limited to asbestos, hazardous chemicals, access to buildings by the handicapped, and playground safety).
Ensure all Federal, state, local and District policies are observed during all activities.
Coordinate and review the work of contractors; ensure compliance with specifications and bid requests; recommend adjustments as necessary.
Prepare project reports for Leadership Team and other District staff.
Monitor and approve time records of all staff and approve all overtime using established procedures and budgets.
Resolve employee complaints and problems presented by union representatives.
Act as liaison between Buildings and Grounds and other District activities to provide support for maintenance and repair; advise community groups on self-help projects and responds to community inquiries and complaints.
Respond to after-hours emergency calls and perform after-hours stand-by duty as needed.
Maintain knowledge of OSHA rules and regulations and other regulatory agencies, and assist in the assurances of compliance with those rules.
Keep abreast of new information, innovative ideas and techniques and recommend the adoption of new techniques when appropriate.
Develop training guidelines and directs overall training programs.
Train and supervise the performance of assigned personnel; interview, select and evaluate employees, and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions; review recommendations for employee transfer and promotion; counsel employees regarding performance and attendance problems.
Select personnel for supervisory positions and approve selections for other positions.
Direct the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records and files related to assigned activities and personnel.
Attend and conduct in-service meetings and staff meetings as required.
Perform related duties as assigned.