Building Operations Manager -Classified

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is seeking a seasoned facilities leader to oversee daily operations across three buildings, manage renovations, and coordinate security and safety programs. You will work with leadership, vendors, and state partners to ensure compliant, efficient facilities operations.

The role emphasizes project management, budgeting, and continuity planning, with a focus on ADA accessibility and life-safety systems.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of experience in facilities, construction, or related work.
• Experience with building operations and preventive maintenance.
• Experience coordinating multiple facilities and projects across locations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day facility operations across three buildings.
• Coordinate construction and renovation projects, space planning, and safety initiatives.
• Manage contracts, vendors, and lease arrangements; act as liaison with landlords.

Skills

Facilities management

Project management

Contract administration

Vendor management

Security coordination

ADA accessibility

OSHA safety training

Budgeting

Education

Associate degree in construction management or related field

CFM or equivalent certification (preferred)

Tools

CMMS

BAS

Project scheduling software

Energy-management systems

Job description

This position is only open to current Residents of Colorado.

Incumbent will be required to complete work for CDE within Colorado.

Colorado Department of Education – What We Do

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state's 178 school districts, 1,888 schools, over 53,000 teachers, and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state's approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.

As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education, CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data.

CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.

CDE strives to incorporate five core values that we uphold in our work internally and externally. If you come to CDE, be prepared to incorporate Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Trust, and commitment to Service in what you do.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Why Work For CDE

The work we do is rewarding and impacts the students, families, educators, and communities across Colorado. Our leadership also promotes a culture that puts families and self-care as a priority. Along with meaningful work and an environment that puts employees first, the state also offers rich benefits that intend to make us an Employer of Choice!

Benefits we offer:

• Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.
• Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.
• Employer paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals
• Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) www.copera.org
• Employer paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply)
• Paid professional development opportunities

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, on-site position and is not eligible for a remote or hybrid work environment. The position requires daily, in-person attendance at a CDE facility and may also require travel between CDE facilities during the workday to support operational and facility needs.

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs
• Commuting to the CDE building is required (201 E. Colfax Avenue, 1525 Sherman Street, and 180 Sheridan Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80226 - Colorado Talking Book Library)
• A Remote (Home) office is required
• Required to report to the work location daily.
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
  • HEAVY/Office-Work Site Environment
    • Required to exert up to 100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects
    • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, squatting, climbing, etc.
  • DL Not Required: Required to independently obtain and determine means to complete travel requirements.

Position Summary

Are you an experienced facilities professional who enjoys solving problems, managing projects, and keeping complex operations running smoothly? CDE is seeking a proactive and highly organized professional to oversee day-to-day facility operations across multiple locations while coordinating construction and renovation projects, building maintenance, safety and security initiatives, and long-term space planning. This highly visible role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with CDE leadership, state partners, contractors, and vendors while making a direct impact on the safety, functionality, and effectiveness of CDE’s workplaces.

The Deputy Commissioner for Strategy oversees the agency's internal operations (accounting, budgeting, building operations, contracts and purchasing, grants, fiscal, and IT), organizational strategy, and pandemic relief funds. This is a new role funded during the 2024 legislative session.

This position reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner, Strategy, and provides professional support and expertise to department leadership in areas such as coordinating assigned building repairs, upgrades, and renovations; staff relocations; and facilities-related maintenance and special projects. May serve as a delegate to the State Architect's Office, depending on work experience. Must be able to work under minimal supervision.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Day-to-day facility management for the agency across three buildings: 60%

• Two leased properties at 201 Colfax Ave, two suites at 1525 Sherman St., and one owned facility: the Colorado Talking Book Library and State Publications Library, located at 180 Sheridan. All efforts at CTBL are to be verified and coordinated with the library director.
  • Performs periodic building and site inspections of all facilities to identify any deferred maintenance items, accessibility, safety, or security issues, and ensure all facilities are maintained in a safe and functionally operational condition.
  • Acts as principal liaison with other state agencies and landlords around capital needs, supporting ongoing maintenance needs, and escalating to the correct agency and/or vendor for leased spaces.
  • Submission of work orders for maintenance and coordination with the DPA Capitol Complex project manager to ensure appropriate resolution.
  • Coordinates use of shared spaces (potentially through a software application).
  • Coordinates mail room activities at 201 Colfax.
  • Coordinate security efforts across all locations.
  • Building warden, policy creation, main point of contact for keys and badges, remove terminated employees.
  • Coordinates with DPA Capitol Complex and Colorado State Patrol on regular fire drills and/or emergency preparedness training.
  • Manages third-party security contract at 201 E Colfax. Primary contact for security personnel, coordination with vendor, authorization of invoices, ensuring contractual provisions are met, etc.
  • Coordinates with State Board of Education director on security for State Board meetings (obtaining additional State Patrol Officers to cover board meetings that may warrant additional security.
  • Create and maintain a Continuity of Operations Plan

Construction Project Management: 30%

• Works with the Library Director, Budget, Purchasing, and Capital Construction Unit to determine, review, and address facilities-related decisions or activities.
  • Serves as Project Manager on CTBL construction projects (and works collaboratively with DPA Capital Complex Project Manager at 201 Colfax and 1525 Sherman).
  • Applies principles, methods or tools for project execution including project schedules, coordination, monitoring, evaluating, and management of project resources and performance. https://osa.colorado.gov/sites/osa/files/documents/SBP-basicsteps_2024_Drupal.pdf
  • Proactively communicates with the Library Director regarding construction and maintenance projects, including consulting on project planning, schedules/timelines, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and budgets.
  • Adheres to budget estimates, confirms funding approval for proposals and vendor payments related to procurement of materials and/or services performed.
  • Leads planning and budget request process for all construction projects.
  • May also serve as delegate to the Office of the State architect, responsible for adherence to applicable policies and procedures: https://osa.colorado.gov/state-buildings/project-management-policies-guidelines

Continued assessment of agency space needs: 15%

• Consults with designated program staff to develop, coordinate, analyze, and review department plans to strategize and prioritize occupancy of facilities based on current and projected changes, budget conditions, and staffing numbers.
• Reviews and provides analysis of space standards by Program while planning and facilitating service integration activities.
  • Decides how to use available resources to design and develop occupancy and space plans.
  • Ability to research and interpret lease documents, contracts, and other formal agreements and fiscal/funding data; translate, exchange information, and present ideas clearly and accurately.

Technical & Operational Support: 5%

• Develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures related to areas of responsibility as needed or requested.
  • Apply technical skills to provide sufficient operational support and perform the job effectively, efficiently, in a timely manner.
  • Participate in cross‑training with Team Members to serve as a backup as needed and create backups for assigned responsibilities.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Experience Only:

• Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work (construction, facilities, building maintenance, facility operations, building maintenance, construction, renovation, or repair projects experience) assigned to this position.

Education and Experience:

• A combination of related education (e.g., construction management, carpentry), a formalized apprenticeship program, an associate degree from an accredited college/university, certification, and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the assigned work is equivalent to three (3) years of education and at least four (4) years of experience as described below as “Relevant Experience”.

Relevant experience includes work that involves:

• Facilities maintenance/facilities management
• Construction
• Project management
• HVAC projects
• OSHA Safety training
• Formal repair projects
• Building automation or energy-management training
• Capital construction or capital improvement projects
• Construction project coordination and oversight
• Contractor and vendor management
• Vendor‑management experience
• Tenant‑improvement projects
• Preventive maintenance

QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Qualifications for Success in the Position:

• Experience with building operations and preventative maintenance
• Experience with construction, renovation, remodeling, and tenant‑improvement projects
• Experience with capital construction or capital improvement projects
• Experience with construction project coordination and oversight
• Experience with contractor and vendor management
• Experience with contract administration and monitoring
• Experience with building inspections and identification of deferred maintenance needs
• Experience with life‑safety systems, fire safety, and emergency preparedness
• Experience with building security, access control, keys, badges, and security systems
• Experience with ADA accessibility and facility accessibility improvements
• Experience with electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, or other building systems
• Experience with space planning, occupancy planning, and staff relocations
• Experience with lease administration or coordination with landlords/property managers
• Experience with the development and submission of facility maintenance work orders
• Experience with procurement, purchasing, estimating, and budgeting for construction or facility projects
• Experience with review and approval of vendor invoices and project expenditures
• Experience with development or implementation of continuity of operations/emergency response plans
• Experience with coordination of fire drills, evacuation procedures, or emergency preparedness exercises
• Experience with building codes, permitting, regulatory compliance, or inspection processes
• Experience with energy efficiency, sustainability, and building performance projects
• Experience with computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), work‑order systems, or facility‑management software
• Experience with building Automation Systems (BAS) or energy‑management systems
• Experience with environmental health and safety practices
• Experience with hazard identification, risk assessment, and corrective‑action coordination
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail (proofing work, spelling, grammar, formatting, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (e.g. school districts, other CDE units)
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and exhibit a proactive approach to work
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems and recommend solutions prior to the standard being jeopardized
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as, on a team
• Ability to commute to different CDE buildings

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• Certified Facility Manager (CFM)
• Facility Management Professional (FMP)
• OSHA safety training certification
• HVAC/EPA certifications

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre‑screening process and pass a background check.
• Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required commuting to the CDE buildings.
• The position will be required to report to a CDE building every day/may also be required to commute to another CDE building on the same day.
• Work extended scheduleper business needs.
• Report to work location per business needs.
• DL Not Required: Required to independently determine and obtain means to complete commuting requirements.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, a medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].