Facilities Director

Urban Ecology Center•Milwaukee, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

As the Facilities Director, you support the mission of the Urban Ecology Center by leading the strategic planning and management of our physical assets (4 buildings, 20 vehicles, misc equipment, grounds) as well as guiding our sustainability efforts. You will oversee daily operations and major maintenance needs, support programs, events, capital projects, and daily use of spaces in an effective, timely, and cost-efficient manner. This is a hands-on role: you will assess systems, solve problems, and make decisions without significant reliance on vendors or subcontractors.

Requirements

Minimum of 8 years of working experience in the operation and maintenance of multiple commercial facilities
Well-rounded background and knowledge of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as equipment and vehicle maintenance and repairs.
Experience leading or managing other employees is highly preferred.
Relevant work experience can be substituted for education.
Strong commitment to safety practices, with experience training others on the safe use of tools and equipment.
Can operate equipment relevant to the position.
Experience with budgeting and capital planning in Google Sheets (Excel).
Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to meet the requirements of insurability under Urban Ecology Center’s commercial vehicle insurance policy.
First Aid/CPR Certification is required
Ability to bend, crawl, kneel, stoop, stand, lift and move materials of significant weight for 75% or more of your work hours, with or without accommodation.

Nice To Haves

2 or more years of college education in a related field is recommended; completion of a four-year degree program is preferred.
Training in Safety/OSHA standards is preferred.
A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or the ability to obtain a CDL is preferred; the UEC can support in attainment.
The UEC can assist in obtaining First Aid/CPR Certification.

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day operations across all four locations
Support events and educational programs with setup, coordination, and building readiness
Maintain HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and building systems
Respond to issues quickly and fix root causes
Work collaboratively with the Ecology Director to ensure any work performed on the grounds (outside of weather clearance- snow, ice etc) is in line with the objectives of the Land Management plan.
Work collaboratively with the program departments to ensure work on program equipment is in line with the objectives of the Program needs.
Build and run a preventative maintenance program
Track asset condition, lifecycle, and replacement timing
Reduce reactive work through planning and standards
Manage fleet of vans (maintenance, inspections, replacement planning)
Ensure operations align with sustainability goals
Analyze and possibly reduce energy, water, and waste across all sites
Support green practices in maintenance, cleaning, and capital work
Track and report on sustainability efforts
Build and manage a 5 to 10-year capital plan
Prioritize work based on risk, condition, and cost
Plan for building systems, site work, and fleet replacement
Lead capital projects from scope through completion
Manage operating and capital budgets
Track spend and keep work within budget targets
Code expenses correctly and control costs
Manage contracts and vendor performance
Get bids and control pricing
Hold vendors accountable to scope and quality
Maintain OSHA and local state and federal code compliance across all sites
Oversee fire/life safety systems and inspections
Support a strong safety culture for staff and participants
Lead and develop facilities staff (maintenance and custodial staff)
Set clear expectations and accountability
Build a culture of ownership and respect
Considers the environmental impact of all decisions regarding care and maintenance of Urban Ecology Center facilities, equipment, and vehicles.
Analyzes energy expenditures, consumption, and production, making changes to operations and systems as needed to curb usage.
Finds efficiencies in building systems while understanding potential impact on the environment.
Provide staff leadership to the Board of Directors’ Sustainability Committee.
Lead the Facilities team
Lead the staff Safety Circle, Sustainability Circle, and the Board’s Climate Mitigation and Resilience Committee.
Encourage, plan for, and manage volunteer involvement in facilities management work.
All team members of the Urban Ecology Center work a minimum of 1-2 weekend or evening events each year.
Support our building hours by providing building coverage, which may include opening/closing the building, communicating with staff on-site, and welcoming visitors or guests.