Director of Facilities/Buildings And Grounds

Director of Facilities

ECHO Joint Agreement Special Education Cooperative

Reports to: Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent of Business Services

Supervises: Building Foremen, Custodial Supervisors, Maintenance Workers, Groundskeepers, and Custodians

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary Range: $100,000 – $120,000 (commensurate with experience and qualifications)

Position Overview

The Director of Facilities provides strategic leadership, oversight, and management of all Joint Agreement facilities, grounds, and related operations to ensure safe, clean, and well-maintained environments that support student learning and staff effectiveness. This position oversees both daily operations and long-term facilities planning, including preventive maintenance, energy efficiency, regulatory compliance, capital improvement projects, custodial services, and safety protocols.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Oversight

- Provide strategic direction and daily management of facilities, grounds, custodial, and maintenance operations.

- Supervise, train, evaluate, and support facilities staff, fostering accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

- Develop and implement policies, procedures, and performance standards to maintain optimal learning environments.

- Attend leadership team, staff, and Board of Education meetings as needed; serve on school and district committees.

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

- Oversee cleaning, repair, and preventive maintenance across all buildings and grounds.

- Manage work order systems, ensuring timely response and completion of requests.

- Assign daily work schedules, coordinate vacation and replacement schedules, and validate staff attendance entries.

- Conduct scheduled inspections of facilities to evaluate the quality of building cleanliness, maintenance, and safety programs.

- Supervise installation of new plant equipment and maintenance of Building Management Automation Systems.

Safety & Compliance

- Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations (building codes, OSHA, ADA, fire/life safety, asbestos management, and environmental health standards).

- Maintain records of inspections, permits, asbestos documentation, and compliance reports.

- Oversee key and access control systems across all facilities.

- Lead emergency preparedness planning (fire drills, lockdowns, utility outages).

- Immediately advise administration of conditions that could threaten safety or adversely affect the educational process.

Capital Planning & Project Management

- Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement long-range facilities master plans.

- Coordinate new construction, renovations, and capital improvement projects, including budgeting, scheduling, and contractor/vendor management.

- Monitor project progress to ensure on-time, within-scope, and on-budget completion.

- Work with contractors to ensure quality and compliance in construction and renovation work.

Budget & Resource Management

- Develop, administer, and monitor the facilities budget, including custodial, maintenance, grounds, and capital expenditures.

- Partner with the Director of Finance/CSBO to secure competitive contracts, bids, and pricing for supplies, equipment, and services.

- Manage inventory systems and ensure safe, secure storage of all supplies and equipment.

- Identify cost-saving opportunities and ensure efficient use of resources.

Collaboration & Communication

- Serve as a key advisor to the Superintendent and Board of Education regarding facility needs, conditions, and priorities.

- Collaborate with principals, staff, and community stakeholders to support program needs and facility use.

- Provide transparent updates on operations, projects, and safety measures.

- Maintain a positive, customer-service-oriented attitude while handling sensitive and confidential information.

- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

- - Bachelor's degree in Business Management or Educational Leadership (preferred.) Experience in Facilities Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, or related field preferred.

- Minimum of 3 years of progressive maintenance/facilities-related experience and supervisory experience (school or public agency experience preferred)..

- Equivalent combinations of education and experience considered.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

- Expert knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roofing, fire alarms, carpentry, etc.), custodial practices, grounds care, and building security.

- Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings.

- Understanding of school safety standards, regulatory compliance, and environmental health requirements.

- Experience with Building Management Automation Systems.

- Strong leadership, organizational, and managerial skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities.

- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills.

- Ability to analyze problems, develop action plans, and implement solutions.

- Commitment to education, equity, and district values.

Licenses/Certifications

- Valid Illinois driver's license (or state equivalent) required.

- Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Educational Facilities Professional (EFP), or similar credential preferred.

- Certified Pool Operator (CPO) license preferred.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

- Year-round, full-time administrative position.

- Primarily on-site across Joint Agreement facilities; some evening, weekend, and on-call availability required.

- Physical demands include standing, walking, climbing ladders, and lifting/moving up to 50 pounds.

- Vision requirements include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

- Work environment noise level can be moderate.