Director of Facilities

Newport Public Schools; Newport (RI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Newport Public Schools in Newport, Rhode Island seeks a Director of Facilities to lead the district's facilities portfolio, oversee maintenance, operations, and long‑term planning of school buildings, grounds, and systems, and coordinate with administrators on safety, energy, and capital projects.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field and 7–10 years of facility management experience, with supervisory background; knowledge of BAS/BMS, CMMS, and building systems; twelve-month

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in facilities management, engineering or related field preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible facilities management experience required.
• Experience supervising staff and managing large multi-building facilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for maintenance, operation, repair, improvement, and preservation of all Newport Public Schools facilities.
• Oversee BAS/BMS performance, alarms, schedules, and energy conservation.
• Manage HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life-safety systems, and building envelope.
• Develop preventive and predictive maintenance programs and KPIs.
• Develop long-range facilities plans and multi-year capital budgets.
• Coordinate major projects with architects, engineers, and contractors.
• Ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and emergency procedures.

Skills

Facilities Leadership

Maintenance & Operations

Budgeting

Staff Supervision

Regulatory Compliance

Project Management

Energy Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

CMMS

BMS/BAS

Job description

Newport Public School District Newport Public Schools - Newport, Rhode Island Open in Google Maps

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

POSITION:Director of Facilities
LOCATION:Newport Public Schools
REPORTS TO:Superintendent of Schools
SCHOOL YEAR:2026-2027

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Director of Facilities is responsible for the overall leadership, management, operation, maintenance, repair, preservation, and long-term planning of the Newport Public Schools facilities portfolio. The Director provides strategic and operational oversight of all school buildings, building systems, grounds, custodial operations, maintenance activities, utilities, and facilities-related capital improvements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facilities Leadership and Administration: Provide overall leadership and direction for the maintenance, operation, repair, improvement, and preservation of all Newport Public Schools facilities; develop and implement a comprehensive facilities management program; establish departmental goals, policies, procedures, standards, and performance expectations; supervise, mentor, evaluate, and develop facilities personnel; coordinate facilities operations across district facilities; develop standardized operating procedures; promote professionalism, accountability, customer service, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Building Management Systems and Building Automation Systems: Provide oversight and management of the district's Building Management Systems and building automation infrastructure; monitor and optimize HVAC system performance through BAS; review operating data, alarms, trends, schedules, setpoints, and system performance; ensure systems are programmed for occupancy schedules, educational programming, energy conservation, indoor air quality, temperature/humidity control, ventilation, seasonal operations, after-hours activities, and emergency conditions; coordinate with contractors and engineers; establish alarm response procedures; maintain documentation; participate in BAS upgrades.
• Institutional Building Systems Management: Technical and managerial oversight of HVAC/mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing systems, fire and life-safety systems, and building envelope/structural systems.
• Preventive and Predictive Maintenance: Develop and improve preventive maintenance programs; schedule, document, track, and complete PM activities; establish maintenance priorities; implement predictive maintenance; monitor equipment performance; maintain warranties and service requirements; maintain repair histories; utilize CMMS/work order systems; develop KPIs.
• Capital Planning and Asset Management: Develop long-range facilities plan; conduct building condition assessments; maintain prioritized capital improvement plan; identify replacement needs; develop capital budgets; coordinate assessments and engineering studies; maintain asset inventory; evaluate life-cycle costs; prepare presentations/reports/cost estimates.
• Major Construction and Renovation Projects: Serve as primary facilities representative for major projects; collaborate with architects/engineers/OPM/construction teams; participate in planning/design/constructability/value management; review building systems for maintainability and efficiency; coordinate to minimize disruption; review closeout documentation and training; participate in commissioning and warranty follow-up.
• Energy Management and Sustainability: Develop strategies to improve energy efficiency and reduce utility costs; monitor utility consumption; use BMS/BAS data for energy-saving opportunities; coordinate with utilities and consultants; evaluate renewable/electrification/storage opportunities; prepare energy performance reports.
• School Safety, Health, and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with federal/state/local laws and standards; coordinate inspections/testing/certifications; ensure compliance for fire/life safety, OSHA, environmental health and safety, asbestos/AHERA, indoor air quality, hazardous materials, drinking water, accessibility, and building codes; maintain emergency response procedures. Respond to emergency call-backs during off duty hours.
• Budgeting and Financial Management: Develop and manage annual facilities O&M budget; prepare cost projections; monitor expenditures; develop multi-year forecasts; identify cost savings; review proposals and service agreements; participate in procurement; maintain records.
• Personnel Management: Supervise facilities staff; establish assignments and expectations; conduct evaluations; identify training needs; develop technical training; promote cross-training; participate in recruitment/hiring/discipline; ensure safety procedure compliance.
• Contractor and Vendor Management: Maintain relationships with contractors/vendors/consultants; develop scopes and specifications; review qualifications and performance; oversee contractor work; verify completion; maintain critical service contracts.
• Communication and Stakeholder Relations: Serve as primary contact for facilities issues; communicate with principals, staff, parents, students, city personnel, contractors, consultants, and the public; provide updates on conditions/repairs/disruptions/projects; prepare reports and presentations; participate in meetings and committees.
• Strengthen Facilities and Custodial Operations: Oversee and co-evaluate the Plant Engineers at each school and participate in the hiring and selection of custodial staff. Establish clear expectations and accountability measures to ensure that all Newport Public Schools facilities are consistently clean, safe, well-maintained, and conducive to a positive learning and working environment.
• Perform all duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor's degree strongly preferred in Facilities Management, Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Building Construction, Business Administration, Public Administration, or closely related field. A combination of relevant education, technical training, professional certifications, and substantial institutional facilities management experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Required: Minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, building operations, engineering, maintenance management, or closely related field. Substantial experience managing complex institutional facilities preferred in public school districts, higher education campuses, healthcare facilities, municipal facilities, government buildings, large commercial/corporate campuses, research/laboratory facilities, or other multi-building institutional environments.
• Preferred: Five (5) or more years of supervisory/management experience; experience managing multiple buildings or a campus; supervising plant engineers/maintenance/custodial/building operations staff; managing sophisticated HVAC/ mechanical/electrical/plumbing/building automation systems; CMMS experience; managing major capital projects and renovations; working with architects/engineers/contractors/commissioning agents/OPMs; public-sector facilities management or procurement; facilities occupied by children or other vulnerable populations highly desirable.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Building Systems: HVAC systems and controls; boilers and heating plants; air handling and ventilation; chilled water and cooling; electrical distribution; emergency power; plumbing; fire alarm and fire protection; building envelope; energy management systems.
• Building Automation and Technology: BMS; BAS; HVAC controls and control sequences; remote monitoring; alarm management; system trending and analytics; scheduling and occupancy controls; energy optimization; integration of building systems; troubleshooting automated building controls.
• Facilities Management: Preventive maintenance; predictive maintenance; asset management; work order systems; capital planning; life-cycle cost analysis; facility condition assessments; budget development; contractor management.

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS:

Certified Facility Manager (CFM); Facility Management Professional (FMP); Certified Energy Manager (CEM); LEED Accredited Professional; OSHA training or certification; Building Operator Certification; HVAC or mechanical systems certifications; building automation systems training; other relevant professional or technical certifications.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Twelve-month position; salary range is $90,000 to $100,000; based upon qualifications and experience; benefits as established for all administrative positions/ Previous salary will be taken into consideration and is negotiable based upon based upon experience and expertise.

Applicants are not to approach members of the Newport School Committee. Individual contact between applicants and School Committee members may constitute grounds for disqualifying an application.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Newport School Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, color, disability or veteran status.