Facilities Operations Coordinator - Prairie Research Institute

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

3d•$78,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Facilities Operations Coordinator manages day-to-day facilities operations for the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) and implements approved priorities for facilities, space, maintenance, and capital projects. The role coordinates facility maintenance and repairs, preventive maintenance, facility-condition and asset information, space and relocation activities, projects, vendors and contractors, and related operational support. It maintains work-order information, project documentation, records, and facility data for portfolio-level planning and decision making. The position works with Survey leadership, PRI Facilities and Safety staff, University Facilities & Services, Capital Programs, and external contractors to support safe, efficient, reliable, and well-maintained facilities for PRI’s research, administrative, and outreach missions. The portfolio includes more than 50 facilities on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus and more than 30 facilities throughout Illinois. The coordinator also provides direct management oversight of the PRI Research Lab Shop and fleet-support functions by supervising the Facility Research Lab Shop Supervisor. The work takes place in office, laboratory, garage, shop, field-facility, building-service, and project or construction settings. It includes periodic travel to PRI facilities throughout Illinois and may require entering laboratories, mechanical or utility spaces, shops, and other operational areas, with appropriate personal protective equipment. Physical demands may include lifting, pushing, and pulling items weighing up to 100 pounds, and exposure to grease, gas fumes, loud noise, weather, active work areas, and other adverse conditions. Office work includes sedentary computer work and repetitive hand motions. This is a 100% full-time Civil Service position appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after October 16, 2026. The budgeted salary is $78,000 to $90,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience and subject to internal equity considerations. The position is eligible for work-authorization sponsorship.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
A total of three years (36 months) from one or a combination of the following: college coursework in facility management, operations management, or a closely related field; training from a vocational, technical, or armed-forces program involving building operations or closely related experience; or work experience in building operations or closely related areas. The posting specifies that 60 semester hours or an associate degree equals one year of college coursework.
One year (12 months) of supervisory or administrative experience involving building operations or closely related experience.
Knowledge of facility operations, maintenance and work-order coordination, preventive maintenance, vendor and contractor management, project coordination, space and asset records, procurement processes, and basic building-system and facility-safety considerations.
Ability to interpret work-related documents, plans, specifications, policies, procedures, service agreements, and project information and translate them into coordinated operational action.
Ability to maintain accurate facility, maintenance, project, space, asset, and financial records and use commonly employed software, databases, work-order systems, and reporting tools.
Knowledge of customer service principles and administrative operations, including records management, business processes, resource coordination, and support for budget and capital-project activities.
Ability to analyze operational problems, evaluate alternatives, establish urgency, use sound judgment, and coordinate effective solutions while considering safety, cost, research continuity, and immediate and long-term impacts.
Organizational and project-management skills to manage multiple priorities, contractors, schedules, and deadlines across geographically distributed facilities with minimal supervision.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences; build collaborative relationships; and demonstrate interpersonal, teamwork, leadership, supervisory, and conflict-resolution skills.
Exceptional attention to detail and ability to identify recurring issues, track performance, and provide reliable information for management decisions.
Ability to supervise specialized technical shop and fleet functions through a subject-matter supervisor, evaluate operational and lifecycle recommendations, and integrate technical information into facilities, resource, and risk-management decisions.
Ability to travel periodically to PRI facilities throughout Illinois.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage PRI’s day-to-day facilities operations and implement approved facilities, space, maintenance, and capital-project priorities.
Coordinate facility maintenance and repairs, preventive maintenance, facility-condition and asset information, space and relocation activities, facility projects, and vendor and contractor work.
Maintain work-order information, project documentation, records, and facility data to support portfolio-level planning and decision making.
Collaborate with Survey leadership, PRI Facilities and Safety staff, University Facilities & Services, Capital Programs, and external contractors to support safe, reliable, and well-maintained facilities.
Oversee the PRI Research Lab Shop and fleet-support functions by supervising the Facility Research Lab Shop Supervisor and aligning shop, fabrication, equipment, and fleet services with Institute priorities, service expectations, resources, and safety requirements.
Travel periodically to PRI facilities throughout Illinois to inspect facilities, coordinate projects and service needs, and meet with staff, contractors, and service providers.
Coordinate operational activity across facilities distributed on campus and throughout Illinois.