Building Trades Manager

University of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 49,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + benefits

15 paid vacation days

15 paid sick days

13 paid holidays

Engaging and collaborative environment

Job summary

The University of South Carolina seeks a Building Trades Manager to provide day-to-day leadership for Housing Department Building Trades. You will plan small repairs, remodeling, locksmith duties, and oversee the work of a skilled team to ensure quality and timely completion within budget.

As a working supervisor, you will be on the on-call rotation and help maintain essential operations during inclement weather. This role demands strong leadership and practical hands-on involvement.

Qualifications

• Requires job-related accreditation from a technical school or skilled trades program and 4+ years of experience; may substitute certifications or education for experience.
• Supervisory experience preferred; ability to lead staff and manage projects from concept to close.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for day-to-day work orders and long-range planning for housing trades.
• Plan and oversee building trades projects, ensuring safety, quality, and on-time completion.
• Direct, train, and evaluate staff; oversee procurement and budgeting as needed.
• Coordinate emergency on-call responses and after-hours responsibilities.

Skills

Building trades

Project planning

Communication skills

Education

Technical school accreditation (skilled trades)

Job description

Posting Number

STA00592PO26

Job Family

Building and Grounds Maintenance

Job Function

Facilities Maintenance

USC Market Title

Maintenance Supervisor

Link to USC Market Title

https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132161

Job Level

T4 - Technical Support

Business Title (Internal Title)

Building Trades Manager

Campus

Columbia

Work County

Richland

College/Division

Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support

Department

SAAS Custodial, Move Crew and Facilities Administration

State Pay Range

G08

USC Market Range

MRE - $48,726 $59,689 $70,653

Anticipated Hiring Range

$48,726 - $70,653

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours per Week

40

Work Schedule

• Standard working schedule: 8:00am – 4:30pm
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis

12 months

Job Search Category

Trades/Maintenance

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Advertised Job Summary

Building Trades Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Are you an experienced Trades leader who enjoys guiding a skilled team while keeping critical USC’s Residential Housing at peak performance?
• Do you take pride in planning repairs and refurbishing strategically—daily, seasonally, and long‑term—rather than just reacting to problems?
• Can you confidently plan, direct, and oversee trades activities while providing hands‑on support when needed?

Position Summary

Provides the day-to-day leadership for Housing Department Building Trades unit. Primary responsibilities are to assist with planning small repairs, remodeling and refurbishing work, locksmith duties, execute the plans utilizing his team and other resources, provide necessary oversight to ensure work is completed on time, within budget and within the department’s quality standards. This position is a working supervisor position and as such this position, in the performance of job duties, will require physical activities associated with the team overall needs and responsibilities. This position will be a member of the department’s after hour emergency response team (on-call/call back).

This position is designated as essential personnel during inclement weather.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership through short term and long-range planning for the day-to-day work orders for both summer and traditional school year project work.
• Complete EPMS planning stages and reviews for all staff. Provide training to improve performance and ensure staff attends mandatory training.
• Responsible for tracking and reviewing weekly and monthly reports
• As a Locksmith performs work requiring expertise in installing, maintaining, and repairing different types of building locks

Perks

• Competitive salary + some of the BEST benefits you can find!
• 15 paid vacation days
• 15 paid sick days
• 13 paid holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• An engaging and collaborative environment.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires job related accreditation from a technical school or an applicable skilled trades program and 4 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four years of supervisory experience managing staff and projects (concept to close out).

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong and diverse building trade’s expertise.
• Excellent project and work planning, execution, closing out and reporting abilities.
• Great written and oral communication skills.

Job Duty

Provide leadership through short term and long-range planning for the day-to-day work orders for both summer and traditional school year project work. Planning will incorporate best in industry practices, address safety issues and be focused on providing quality service to our customers. Will assist with drafting building trades specifications for all building trades work. This will include implementation and execution of plans and proper oversight. Is responsible for maintaining records and providing comprehensive written reports demonstrating effectiveness of programs and recommendations for improvements.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 30

Job Duty

Complete EPMS planning stages and reviews for all staff. Provide training to improve performance and ensure staff attends mandatory training. Responsible for ensuring quality assurance inspections are being completed for all internal staff’s work and documented. Responsible for ensuring building trades projects meet acceptable standards prior to closing out the work order.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 10

Job Duty

Responsible for tracking and reviewing weekly and monthly reports identifying variable that impact the quality and quantity of services for the building trades unit such as attendance and emergency work.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 5

Job Duty

Perform project management for contracted and in-house construction and renovation projects. Plan and order supplies and materials in advance to ensure work is completed on time. Maintain budget in area of responsibility. Adhere to procurement policies.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 25

Job Duty

Monitor and review daily status of work orders. Follow up with appropriate leadership on any work not completed. Follow up with staff on work orders marked as completed by not completed.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 5

Job Duty

Perform other duties as assigned. Responds to emergency, weekend and/or hazardous weather plan call backs including being part of an on-call rotation.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 5

Job Duty

As a Locksmith performs work requiring expertise in installing, maintaining, and repairing different types of building locks including cylindrical, unit, mortise and rim, and reload cylinders, as well as replaces and repairs panic hardware, door closures, ADA openers, locks on desks, file cabinets, display cases, and similar containers. The Locksmith also maintains an adequate and appropriate stock of locksmith supplies and equipment, monitors and reports maintenance issues needing attention to the appropriate authority, and performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Essential Function: Yes

Percentage of Time: 20

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive

No

Hazardous weather category

Essential

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

09/01/2026

Job Open Date

08/05/2026

Job Close Date

10/04/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending on a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by October 4, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

Quicklink for Posting: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/210991

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.