Facilities Support Specialist - Huntsville

Auburn University•Auburn, AL

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Auburn University’s Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development and the Applied Research Institute (ARI) is seeking a Facilities Support Specialist to support the safe, efficient, compliant, and reliable operation of its facilities in Huntsville, Alabama. The role assists the Campus Engineer with facility operations, routine and preventive maintenance, capital improvement activities, building systems, laboratory environments, and contractor coordination across three campus buildings. The specialist conducts facility and laboratory inspections, evaluates safety and operational risks, monitors corrective actions, and advises administrators and stakeholders about facility conditions, regulatory requirements, and risk mitigation. The position requires working knowledge of commercial building systems and the ability to interpret building drawings, architectural plans, and technical schematics. The specialist works with university personnel, researchers, contractors, project teams, safety professionals, and other stakeholders to maintain safe, secure, compliant, and operationally effective facilities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in any discipline and two years of experience in laboratory, research, industrial, or facility maintenance and safety, regulatory compliance, or environmental health and safety programs; alternatively, a high school diploma or GED and four years of such experience.
U.S. citizenship upon hire.
Ability to obtain a U.S. Government Security Clearance upon hire.
Valid in-state driver's license upon hire.
Working knowledge of commercial building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, ventilation, and life-safety systems.
Knowledge of facility operations, preventive maintenance, workplace safety, environmental health and safety, and risk management principles.
Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, construction documents, blueprints, technical schematics, and equipment specifications.
Ability to identify and evaluate facility and laboratory hazards and recommend corrective actions.
Ability to coordinate multiple maintenance, compliance, inspection, and project activities simultaneously.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and documentation skills.
Ability to communicate technical, operational, and safety information effectively to administrators, researchers, contractors, and other stakeholders.
Ability to exercise independent judgment when evaluating facility conditions, risks, priorities, and corrective actions.
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
Ability to work effectively around laboratories, specialized research environments, controlled-access spaces, contractors, and active construction or maintenance activities.
Ability to participate in an on-call rotation and respond to facility emergencies outside normal working hours, including holidays, as necessary.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting radiation and laser safety programs.

Responsibilities

Support facility operations, maintenance, and improvements in assigned campus buildings, including daily operations, preventive maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting, facility planning, and capital improvement projects.
Maintain cleanliness, sanitation, organization, appearance, and safety across buildings and surrounding work environments.
Perform other facility, safety, and operational duties as assigned.
Monitor critical building systems and infrastructure, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, ventilation, emergency power, and utilities; identify deficiencies and coordinate corrective actions.
Read and interpret construction drawings, architectural plans, technical schematics, and equipment specifications to support maintenance, modifications, troubleshooting, project planning, and integration of specialized research equipment.
Inspect facilities, laboratories, equipment, utilities, and safety systems for safety, security, environmental, regulatory, equipment, and operational risks; recommend corrective and preventive actions.
Monitor and promote compliance with environmental health and safety requirements, including occupational, radiation, and laser safety requirements.
Oversee operational readiness of facility and life-safety systems, including eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, alarms, emergency lighting, ventilation, and building access controls; coordinate corrective actions for deficiencies.
Maintain safety and compliance documentation, including signage, hazard communication materials, equipment labels, permits, inspection records, and regulatory postings.
Coordinate and track corrective actions arising from inspections, audits, regulatory reviews, maintenance issues, equipment deficiencies, and identified hazards.
Investigate facility-related incidents, safety concerns, and near misses; document findings and recommend measures to reduce risks and prevent recurrence.
Coordinate inspections, readiness reviews, and compliance assessments for specialized research environments, including radiation vaults, accelerator spaces, laser laboratories, and controlled-access areas; advise laboratory leadership and administrators about deficiencies, corrective actions, and operational impacts.
Provide radiation and specialized laboratory safety support, including dosimetry and badge management, safety-system monitoring, regulatory postings, coordination with Radiation Safety personnel, and safety guidance.
Support emergency preparedness, response, and business continuity, including evacuation planning, spill response, emergency coordination, incident response, recovery, and post-incident follow-up; participate in on-call coverage for after-hours, holiday, and other facility emergencies as needed.
Coordinate maintenance, repairs, renovations, and improvements with contractors, vendors, project teams, researchers, and university stakeholders; monitor potential impacts on operations, research, safety, security, and regulatory compliance.
Develop, deliver, and maintain facility and safety training, procedures, policies, and best practices.
Support facility planning, budgeting, and continuous improvement, including tracking operating and maintenance expenditures, assessing facility conditions and research needs, establishing performance standards, and recommending operational or capital improvements.