BUILDING MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

Polk County, IA; Iowa; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Polk County is seeking a supervising professional to oversee the Building and Grounds unit, managing facilities maintenance staff and multiple county-owned properties. You will oversee planning, capital projects, budgeting, and contractor oversight to ensure timely, compliant work.

The role requires strong leadership, detailed planning, and coordination with departments, vendors, and engineers to maintain safe, compliant facilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a trade/technical school training in building trades.
• Four years of experience in general building maintenance and construction or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise staff across building and grounds maintenance.
• Plan, schedule, and assign work orders for repairs and grounds work.
• Ensure safety training and proper use of materials and equipment.

Skills

Carpentry

Painting

Plumbing

Grounds keeping

Supervision

Safety procedures

Planning

Budgeting

Contract management

Bid proposals

Education

High school diploma

Trade/technical training

Tools

Computerized work order system

MS Office (Word/Excel)

CMMS / Maintenance software

Job description

Under limited supervision, performs responsible supervisory work in activities related to the construction, maintenance, and repair of County owned buildings, grounds, and equipment. Supervises staff engaged in general maintenance, repair, and grounds keeping activities including facilities maintenance specialists, carpenters, painters, electricians, a plumber, and other related classifications, ensuring work is completed professionally, timely, and in compliance with plans and specifications. Responsibilities include planning, capital improvement project management, budgeting, contractor selection and oversight, and overall management of the Building and Grounds unit.

Responsibilities

1. Directs, supervises, inspects, and evaluates the work of skilled and semi-skilled staff engaged in building and grounds maintenance at multiple county owned buildings and adjacent properties including carpentry, painting, plumbing, general building repairs, and grounds keeping/landscaping.
2. Effectively recommends personnel actions related to selection, discipline, performance, leaves of absence, grievances, and work schedules and assignments and administers personnel related policies and procedures.
3. Plans, schedules, and assigns work orders relating to building exterior and interior deficiencies and grounds maintenance, including snow removal, mowing, and landscaping; prepares plans and material lists;prioritizes and distributes work assignments and schedules; maintains the work flow and quality; makes daily adjustments in work schedules in accordance with overall priorities; communicates with departmental staff regarding planned maintenance projects.
4. Inspects and evaluates construction, maintenance, and repair work in progress for quality of workmanship and compliance with specifications and initiates corrective actions as required.
5. Completes on-site visits and inspection of County owned facilities and grounds to ensure they are safe and well maintained and identify deficiencies; identifies required maintenance and repair projects; ensures compliance with federal, state, and local safety and health regulations and building codes.
6. Monitors and trains staff in existing work methods and proper use of materials and equipment to ensure conformance with accepted standards; provides safety training; ensures that staff is properly licensed and that proper safety techniques are followed in the application of fertilizer, insecticides, and other chemicals.
7. Prepares and maintains records and reports including preventative maintenance records, daily work order activity, and equipment and supply inventories; ensures adequate inventory of supplies on hand to complete work assignments as scheduled.
8. Attends meetings and conferences and coordinates building and grounds activities with various departments, contractors, consultants, vendors, and engineering staff.
9. Processes computerized work orders; prepares and reviews plans, sketches, and specifications covering construction and repair work; prepares detailed costs/completion estimates; makes requisitions for materials, equipment, and labor; inspects materials received; maintains records of time, work, material used, and costs; identifies work assignments and staff resources required to complete various projects.
10. Evaluates projects and determines whether they will be completed by staff employees or outside contractors; if project is contracted, writes bid specifications, solicits bids, meets with contractors, discusses projects scope, receives bid proposals, and supervises contractor work; performs construction contract administration duties for designated projects including preparing progress reports, specifications, change orders, and evaluating compliance with contract specifications.
11. Receives, investigates, and resolves complaints regarding facility maintenance and repair problems, including responding to emergency maintenance problems in County owned buildings.
12. Performs related duties as required.

Skills and Knowledge

• Considerable knowledge of the standard practices and materials used in the building maintenance and construction trades including carpentry, painting, and plumbing.
• Considerable knowledge of standard practices, materials, and equipment used in landscaping, grounds keeping, and snow removal.
• Knowledge of the principals and practices of supervision.
• Knowledge of preventative maintenance programs and proper safety procedures and occupational hazards associated with construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings and grounds keeping.
• Knowledge of building and fire safety and construction codes and regulations.
• Knowledge of government procurement procedures and inventory control methods, practices, and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of staff engaged in building trades and grounds keeping tasks.
• Ability to plan in proper sequence the tasks required to complete a work project.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and coordinate the preparation of project bid documents, analyze bid proposals, read blueprints, and draft contract agreements.
• Ability to operate a personal computer including word-processing/spreadsheet software applications such as Word/Excel and effectively utilize a computerized work order system.
• Ability to read, understand, interpret engineering plans, blueprints, schematics, and construction drawings, and prepare time, material, and cost estimates.
• Ability to conduct field inspections and travel to remote work sites.
• Ability to climb ladders, work in confined spaces at various elevations, walk on uneven surfaces, and perform physical labor in inclement weather.
• Ability to inspect buildings, premises, and other facilities to determine appropriate maintenance/repair requirements.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to conduct personnel investigations and adhere to administrative policies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, public officials, vendors, contractors, consultants, and the general public, fostering a collaborative and professional work environment.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school, or equivalent, and
• Completion of a training program in building trades through a technical school, and
• Four years of experience in general building maintenance and construction, or
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that will have provided the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Special Requirements

• Candidate must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and physical capacity testing to ensure candidate meets the essential physical requirements of the position.
• A criminal background check is required.
• A drug screen is required prior to final offer of employment.
• A valid State of Iowa driver’s license is required.

Polk County is committed to providing a work environment that is representative, at all levels, of the citizens we serve. Equal opportunities are available to all applicants and current employees regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.