Buildings and Grounds Supervisor

AITKIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS; Aitkin (MN); On-site; USD 72,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Aitkin Public Schools seeks a skilled Buildings & Grounds Director to lead maintenance, custodial operations, and facility programs in a dynamic school district.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong prioritization, and collaboration with staff and contractors to keep facilities safe, clean, and aligned with student learning. This is a year-round, full-time position offering competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of building maintenance, facilities operations, or related field.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day operation, maintenance, repair, and improvement of district buildings and facilities.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs for district buildings and equipment.
• Monitor facilities and coordinate inspections, testing, and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee budgeting, purchasing, and cost-effective facility solutions.
• Lead custodial operations, safety, and emergency preparedness.

Skills

Facilities management

Leadership

Budgeting

Safety compliance

Job description

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS SUPERVISOR

Position: Buildings & Grounds Director

Location: Aitkin, Minnesota

Employment Status: Full-Time, Year-Round

Salary Range: $72,000â$75,000 annually

Reports To: Superintendent

Start Date: Immediately

Position Summary

Aitkin Public Schools is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and collaborative Buildings & Grounds Director to lead the district's buildings, grounds, facilities, maintenance, and custodial operations. The Buildings & Grounds Director is responsible for ensuring that district facilities are safe, clean, functional, well-maintained, secure, and supportive of student learning and staff success. This position provides leadership and direction for the district's maintenance and custodial operations, facility systems, preventative maintenance, grounds, building security, energy management, and facility-related projects. The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader who takes pride in maintaining school facilities, develops positive relationships with staff and contractors, responds effectively to facility needs, and demonstrates strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Facilities & Building Operations

• Direct and oversee the day-to-day operation, maintenance, repair, and improvement of district buildings and facilities.
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance programs for district buildings, equipment, mechanical systems, and infrastructure.
• Monitor the condition of district facilities and recommend repairs, replacements, upgrades, and capital improvements.
• Coordinate building inspections, required testing, maintenance schedules, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain accurate records related to building systems, inspections, maintenance, repairs, warranties, and equipment.
• Assist the Superintendent and School Board with long-range facilities planning and capital improvement planning.
• Coordinate facility projects, renovations, construction, and improvement projects as assigned.
• Obtain and evaluate bids, estimates, and proposals from vendors and contractors.
• Monitor contractors and vendors to ensure work is completed safely, timely, and according to specifications.

Boiler & Mechanical Systems

• Oversee the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of district boiler and mechanical systems.
• Maintain compliance with Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry boiler requirements and other applicable regulations.
• Maintain all required boiler operation records and documentation.
• Ensure required inspections, testing, servicing, and maintenance are completed.
• Work with licensed boiler personnel and qualified contractors as necessary.
• Maintain the appropriate Minnesota boiler engineer license required for the district's boiler plant.

The successful candidate must possess the appropriate Minnesota boiler engineer license ability to obtain 1C license within a 6 month or reasonably agreed upon time, 2C required subject to applicable Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry licensing requirements.

Grounds & Outdoor Facilities

• Oversee maintenance of athletic fields, playgrounds, sidewalks, parking lots, landscaping, snow and ice removal, and other district grounds.
• Establish seasonal maintenance plans for grounds and outdoor facilities.
• Ensure grounds are maintained in a safe, attractive, and functional condition.
• Coordinate snow removal and emergency weather-related facility needs.

Custodial Operations

• Provide leadership, direction, and support to custodial staff.
• Develop and monitor building cleaning and maintenance schedules.
• Establish expectations for cleanliness, safety, sanitation, and building readiness.
• Monitor custodial supplies, equipment, inventory, and purchasing.
• Assist with staffing, training, scheduling, evaluation, and performance management of facilities and custodial employees in accordance with district policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote a culture of safety throughout all district facilities.
• Ensure facilities and operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and district policies.
• Coordinate with administration, emergency services, inspectors, contractors, and other agencies regarding facility safety and emergency preparedness.
• Assist with emergency response involving buildings, utilities, mechanical systems, weather events, and other facility-related situations.
• Participate in district safety planning and emergency preparedness activities.
• Report safety concerns and recommend corrective action to the Superintendent.

Budget & Purchasing

• Assist in developing and managing the Buildings and Grounds budget.
• Monitor expenditures and maintain appropriate financial records.
• Recommend purchases of equipment, supplies, materials, and services.
• Seek cost-effective solutions while maintaining appropriate quality and safety standards.
• Maintain appropriate inventory and records of district equipment and assets.

Communication & Leadership

• Work collaboratively with the Superintendent, administrators, teachers, support staff, students, families, community members, contractors, and vendors.
• Respond promptly and professionally to facility concerns and requests.
• Communicate facility needs, concerns, projects, and recommendations to district administration.
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, discretion, and a commitment to serving students and the school community.
• Maintain positive working relationships with district employees and community partners.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Demonstrated knowledge of building maintenance, facilities operations, mechanical systems, grounds maintenance, custodial operations, or a related field.
• Ability to safely operate, inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot building systems and equipment.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects and responsibilities.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions within established district policies and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with employees, contractors, vendors, administrators, and community members.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and manage budgets and purchasing responsibilities.
• Ability to respond to emergency and after-hours facility situations when necessary.
• Ability to obtain 1C license within a 6 month or reasonable agreed upon time, 2C required, as required by applicable Minnesota law and regulations.
• Valid Minnesota driver's license or ability to obtain one, if required for the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in school district, municipal, commercial, industrial, or institutional facilities management.
• Previous supervisory or management experience.
• Experience with school buildings and grounds.
• Experience with boiler systems, HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, building automation systems, or other mechanical systems.
• Experience with preventative maintenance planning.
• Experience managing contractors and construction or renovation projects.
• Experience developing or managing facilities budgets.
• Experience with snow removal, athletic fields, playgrounds, and outdoor facilities.
• Experience working in a public-sector or educational environment.
• Appropriate Minnesota boiler engineer license at the time of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and customer-service skills.
• Strong mechanical and facilities knowledge.
• Ability to identify problems and develop practical solutions.
• Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff and administration.
• Commitment to maintaining safe, clean, welcoming, and functional learning environments.
• Commitment to fiscal responsibility and responsible stewardship of district resources.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to perform essential job functions associated with facilities and grounds management, which may include walking throughout district facilities and grounds; climbing stairs and ladders; inspecting mechanical and building systems; standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting; and occasionally working in confined, elevated, outdoor, or adverse weather conditions.

The district will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities consistent with applicable law.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a year-round position and may require work outside of regular business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency situations, weather-related events, and other times when facility needs require administrative or operational response.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $72,000â$75,000 annually, depending upon qualifications and experience.

The district provides a competitive benefits package, which may include health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, and other benefits available under district policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements or employment terms.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

[School District Name] is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law.

The district is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact [Name/Title] at [phone/email].

Veterans' Preference: This position is subject to applicable Minnesota Veterans' Preference laws for public employment. Minnesota's Veterans' Preference Act generally applies to public employment positions, including school districts.

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Aitkin Public Schools reserves the right to modify, change, or add to the duties and responsibilities of this position as the needs of the district change.