Facilities & Maintenance Manager – Research Center

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA; Maricopa (AZ); On-site; USD 58,921 - 98,201; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reduction

Retirement plans

Job summary

The University of Arizona's Maricopa Agricultural Center seeks a General Maintenance Services Manager to lead facilities, grounds, and infrastructure operations. You will supervise staff, schedule work, and ensure safe, compliant maintenance across offices, labs, greenhouses, and workshops.

This role emphasizes hands‑on technical leadership, project oversight, and collaboration with researchers and external partners to support agricultural research excellence. Competitive benefits are provided.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning.
• Minimum of three years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

Responsibilities

• Manage routine and corrective maintenance of buildings, grounds, infrastructure, and equipment.
• Oversee maintenance of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, painting, and refrigeration systems.
• Conduct regular inspections to ensure facilities are safe, clean, and fully operational.
• Provide hands‑on technical expertise and perform repairs as needed.
• Ensure custodial services and waste management meet standards.
• Assist with environmental health and safety (EHS) tasks in a laboratory setting.

Skills

Facilities management

Team leadership

Communication

Safety training

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Certified Facilities Manager

Tools

CMMS

Job description

General Maintenance Services Manager (Maricopa, AZ)

General Maintenance Services Manager (Maricopa, AZ)

Address 37860 W. Smith Enke Road, Maricopa, AZ 85138 USA

Position Highlights

The Maricopa Agricultural Center seeking a highly organized and results-driven professional to fill the role of General Maintenance Services Manager (Skilled Crafts and Trades Manager I).

Under the general supervision of the Director, the General Maintenance Services Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the Maricopa Agricultural Center. This position oversees personnel and ensures the effective execution of all activities related to facilities management and research support. The General Maintenance Services Manager provides technical expertise, guidance, and leadership to staff, directing operations to ensure proper research-based agricultural practices are followed. The role works collaboratively with internal research faculty and external industry partners, supporting the mission, operational integrity, and overall well-being of the Maricopa Agricultural Center and its personnel.

The Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC) strives to be at the forefront of disciplinary field investigations, as well as develop, deliver and service the best integrated agricultural technologies. Home to the USDA ARS Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, MAC's main focus is on cotton, small grains, alfalfa, and new specialty crops that could be used to provide fibers, oils, pharmaceuticals, and other biological products.

The facility provides 12 controlled environment greenhouses, a hoop house, a drying greenhouse, and a headhouse. Beyond research and development, MAC provides a community hub for Cooperative Extension and 4-H agricultural literacy programs including a hands-on Agventure demonstration area available for school and group tours. The facility also provides a plant diagnostic lab, cactus garden, demo garden, and orchard provided by the Master Gardener program.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .

Duties & Responsibilities

FacilitiesMaintenance & Operations:

• Manage andperform routine and corrective maintenance of buildings, grounds,infrastructure, and equipment at the Maricopa Agricultural Center.
• Oversee andsupport the maintenance of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry,painting, and refrigeration systems in a variety of building types includingoffice space, living quarters, laboratories, greenhouses, shops, and storagefacilities.
• Conduct regularinspections to ensure facilities, offices, laboratories, shops, common areas,and grounds are safe, clean, and fully operational.
• Serve as aworking manager by providing hands‑on technical expertise andperforming repairs as needed.
• Ensurecustodial services and waste management functions are performed to establishedstandards.
• Perform supportduties related to environmental health and safety (EHS) within a laboratorysetting.

Project &Systems Management:

• Plan,coordinate, and oversee maintenance, repair, remodeling, and minor constructionprojects.
• Estimate labor,materials, and costs, monitor project progress, schedules, and expenditures.
• Assist withbidding, coordination, and oversight of major repairs and contracted services.
• Ensure reliableoperation of production equipment, machinery, and supporting systems.
• Ensure reliableoperation of life safety systems.

Supervision,Staffing & Training:

• Supervisemaintenance and custodial staff; assign daily work and manage on‑callrotations.
• Assist withhiring, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, discipline, andseparations.
• Train employeesin the safe operation of equipment (e.g., proper use of hand and power tools)to expand skill sets and operational flexibility.
• Mentor staffand promote cross‑training and workforce development.
• Develop asafety training program for maintenance and custodial staff.

Planning,Coordination & Customer Service:

• Schedule work,prioritize service requests, and act as liaison with MAC departments andleadership.
• Coordinatefacility condition assessments with Physical Resources, Risk Management, andFacilities Design & Construction.
• Supportdevelopment, implementation, and evaluation of operational goals for MAC.
• Maintainpositive customer service relationships with researchers, staff, faculty, andother stakeholders.
• Communicateregularly with leadership regarding operational status, priorities, and issues.

Inventory,Procurement & Compliance:

• Manageinventory, surplus property, tools, equipment, and supplies.
• Order parts andmaterials necessary to support maintenance and repair operations.
• Develop andstandardize specifications for equipment, furniture, and materials.
• Assist withFederal Capital Inventory and other required reporting or complianceactivities.

Knowledge,Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge offacilities management, environmental health and safety and life safety systems
• Knowledge ofbuilding trades: mechanical, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, HVAC andpainting.
• Skill insupervising personnel and providing effective group leadership.
• Skill in verbaland written communication to effectively interact with staff, faculty, andexternal partners.
• Skill in theuse of computers and standard software applications for recordkeeping,communication, and data entry.
• Ability to workeffectively under extreme environmental conditions typical of agriculturalfield operations.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of three years of related work experience or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy .

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Facilities Manager or other relevant trade credentials.
• Experience supporting agricultural research, research conducted in a laboratory, or experimental farm operations.
• Previous experience supervising staff or coordinating the work of teams in an agricultural or research setting.

FLSA Exempt

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week 40

Job FTE 1.0

Work Calendar Fiscal

Job Category Facilities, Grounds and Infrastructure

Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay $75,540 - $98,201

Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade 10

Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.

The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator .

Career Stream and Level M1

Job Family Skilled Crafts & Trades

Job Function Facil, Grounds, & Infra

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies 1

Target Hire Date

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates Gerek Burford, Director Maricopa Agricultural Center
[e-mail]

Open Date 7/15/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Documents Needed to Apply Resume, Cover Letter, and One Additional Document

Special Instructions to Applicant Applications must include a Resume, Cover Letter and Building Portfolio (what size building managed, type of building, equipment used).

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].