Manager, Maintenance Planning and Improvements

Richmond School District No. 38; Richmond; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Richmond School District No. 38 is looking for a Manager of Maintenance Planning and Improvements. This role involves planning, coordination, and overseeing maintenance programs and projects that ensure safe and well-maintained school facilities.

Ideal candidates will have at least five years of management experience in a related field, a strong technical background, and proficiency in CMMS systems. The position requires effective leadership, planning, and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Five years of progressive management experience in facilities maintenance or construction.
• Experience with maintenance estimating, planning, scheduling, and asset management.
• Working knowledge of carpentry, roofing, painting, flooring, and relevant building codes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Oversee maintenance and repair projects for compliance with standards.
• Manage operational and project budgets effectively.

Skills

Maintenance management

Project management

Budgeting

Leadership

Communication

Education

Post-secondary education in engineering or related field

Tools

CMMS or similar systems

Job description

MANAGER, MAINTENANCE PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENTS

Recognized for its diversity, dedication to inclusion, and strong partnerships with the community, the Richmond School District is among one of the largest districts in British Columbia with some of the highest graduation rates in the province. With a long history of providing high quality experiences for students, the Richmond School District strives to be “The Best Place to Learn and Lead.”

Richmond School District operates 38 elementary schools, 10 secondary schools, alternate programs, continuing education, and a number of additional facilities. The district enrolls approximately 22,000 students (K‑12) and employs over 3,500 dedicated staff.

Reporting to the Director, Facilities Services, the Manager, Maintenance Planning & Improvements leads the planning, coordination, and delivery of maintenance programs and projects across the District's facilities portfolio.

This role combines strategic asset planning, operational leadership, and project delivery, ensuring that school facilities are safe, well‑maintained, and supportive of quality learning environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develops, maintains and monitors the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for the branch, with the cooperation of the Manager, Administrative Support.
• Works with Facilities Services maintenance managers in developing work plans for: Preventative Maintenance, Routine Maintenance, Response/Corrective Maintenance, Cyclical Renewal and Deferred Maintenance.
• Consults with Facilities Services managers regarding work scheduling, backlog issues, and status of maintenance support services.
• Consults with Facilities Services managers and planners regarding major maintenance and facilities improvement projects, develops and manages the District 10-Year Facilities Renewal Program (FRP) and submits annual updates to the Manager, Facilities Planning for incorporation into the Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) and Five-Year Capital Plan submissions to the Ministry of Education.
• Assists with planning and scheduling of maintenance projects, both operating and capital funded; oversees projects in progress; inspects work; coordinates work within the framework of site activities; serves as liaison and point of contact between the site administrator, Facilities Services, and the contractor performing the work.
• Manages the following sections: Architectural and structural maintenance services: Carpentry, millwork and acoustics; Roofing and building envelope; Painting, flooring and other finishes; Grounds maintenance and logistics services: Soft and hard landscape maintenance; District trucking and moving; and Facilities records, computer‑aided drafting and minor design support.
• Develops and implements safe work procedures; conducts accident and incident investigations and implements corrective measures as necessary.
• Develops operating procedures, practices, standards and guidelines to ensure a smooth, efficient operation.
• Reports to the Director on any deviation from policy, practice or established standards related to all areas of the department.
• Develops and manages assigned annual operating and project budgets.
• Trains and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects employees and recommends transfers, reassignment, termination and disciplinary actions; assigns employee duties and reviews work to ensure compliance with established guidelines and procedures.
• Processes routine and response/corrective architectural and structural maintenance work requests; receives, reviews, and investigates requests for school site improvements and building modifications; provides cost estimates for maintenance fee‑for‑service requests and projects; and assists site administrators/program managers in formulating project proposals.
• Monitors and inspects maintenance and repair projects for completion, accuracy and compliance with established work orders and specifications.
• Participates in requisitioning of materials and/or contract services; writes work specifications; receives and evaluates proposals from outside consultants and contractors.
• Prepares and/or assists with construction project bid documents; studies and analyzes the terms and conditions of contract agreements, plans, specifications, addenda, and interpretations.
• Conducts contractor job walks; provides facility information; assists in the project process. Meets with vendors; investigates and evaluates products and equipment; provides recommendations regarding product quality, price and suitability for use by the District.
• Either acts as project manager or, in the case of major maintenance projects, as client to the assigned Facilities Services Project Manager.
• Maintains records, provides performance and cost data reports; authors internal maintenance‑related correspondence and memoranda.
• Ensures compliance with Board Policy, the Collective Agreement, and applicable regulations (WorkSafeBC, local health authority, BC Fire Code and insurance underwriters).
• Represents management for grievance procedures and assists the employer bargaining committee as requested.
• Coordinates and maintains communication and cooperative working relationships between the department, partners including administrators and school staff, site managers and staff, District department heads and staff, CUPE, RTA, RDPA, site health & safety committees and other Facilities Services management and staff, and external agencies including contractors, vendors, the City of Richmond, WorkSafe BC, Vancouver Coastal Health and provincial agencies having jurisdiction.
• Oversees project documentation and records management, ensuring compliance with applicable standards, codes and regulations.
• Responds to emergency situations as necessary; acts as on‑call manager in rotation with other Maintenance Managers.
• Performs other duties as contained in statute and as assigned from time to time by the Director.

Please note this position is on‑site, it is not hybrid or remote.

Qualifications & Experience

• Post‑secondary education in engineering, architecture, facilities management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive management experience in facilities maintenance, construction, or a related field.
• Experience with: Maintenance estimating, planning, scheduling, and asset management; Project management, budgeting and cost control; CMMS or similar systems; Accounting operations, planning and budgeting and/or resource management.
• Working knowledge of carpentry, roofing, painting, flooring, acoustics and other architectural and structural systems, building codes, standards and regulations.
• Broad understanding of mechanical, electrical, and civil systems.
• Strong understanding of building systems, construction practices, and applicable codes and regulations.
• Experience working in a unionized and/or public‑sector environment is an asset.

Competencies

• Technical Expertise – Strong knowledge of facilities maintenance practices, building systems, and regulatory requirements.
• Leadership – Proven ability to lead, develop, and support teams in a complex environment.
• Planning & Execution – Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and operational demands effectively.
• Communication & Collaboration – Builds strong relationships and communicates effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Problem Solving & Judgment – Analyzes issues, interprets technical information, and implements practical solutions.
• Organizational Awareness – Understands public‑sector processes, accountability, and service expectations.

Reporting Relationships

Reports To: Director, Facilities Services

Directly Supervises

• Carpentry Foreperson
• Paint & Finishes Foreperson
• Grounds Foreperson
• Building Technologist
• Other department positions as established

Richmond School District is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Our ability to provide the best education for our student population relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds and experiences. Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.