Facilities Maintenance Specialist

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 39,743 - 52,982; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading research institution in Chicago seeks a Facilities Maintenance Specialist to support the maintenance and reliability of specialized equipment within animal research facilities. The role includes preventative maintenance and troubleshooting, coordinating with internal teams and vendors, and monitoring environmental systems. Strong mechanical aptitude, technical skills, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment are vital. This position offers a competitive hourly pay rate between $28.85 and $38.46, along with benefits.

Qualifications

• Vocational training, apprenticeships, or equivalent experience in a related field.
• Seven or more years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Preferred knowledge in building systems and HVAC maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Manage preventative maintenance activities of all specialized equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair specialized equipment.
• Coordinate with vendors and internal teams.
• Monitor environmental conditions and systems.

Skills

Preventative maintenance

Troubleshooting

Technical support

Environmental monitoring

Building Automation Systems

Education

Vocational training or equivalent experience

Tools

Building Automation System

Job description

Department

BSD ARC - Facilities Maintenance & Infrastructure

About The Department

The mission of the Animal Resources Center (ARC) is to assist investigators in performing their animal research while ensuring appropriate and humane care of all laboratory animals. The ARC at The University of Chicago is responsible for the use and care of all research animals on campus. The ARC manages six facilities and a business office. Its sections include husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, finance, and administration. The unit merged with the Office of Shared Research Facilities, managing all BSD cores on campus.

Job Summary

The Facilities Maintenance Specialist supports the maintenance, operation, and reliability of specialized equipment within the ARC and research facilities. Responsibilities include performing preventative maintenance, troubleshooting and repairing equipment, coordinating with internal teams and external vendors, and supporting facility projects, contractor activities, and equipment installations while minimizing disruption to research operations. The role also monitors environmental systems, assists with building automation reporting, and serves as a technical resource to staff.

Responsibilities

• Manages preventative maintenance activities of all ARC specialized equipment in the animal facilities.
• Implements special projects/tasks as delegated.
• Participates in facilities renovations, contractor activities, and other tasks performed by hired outside vendors.
• Performs on‑site maintenance and emergency equipment repairs of ARC specialized equipment.
• Coordinates some repairs with Plant/Facilities Departments.
• Assists with ARC environmental monitoring systems.
• Provides technical support for general operations of the ARC and Office of Shared Research Facilities.
• Manages on‑site preventative maintenance of specialized equipment, coordinates equipment repairs with Plant and Facilities departments.
• Acts as the ARC liaison to anyone working in ARC space, follows up on work requests, and reports back to ARC staff.
• Involved with new equipment installation and diagnostics evaluations of specialized equipment malfunctions.
• Participates in building renovations and ARC facilities construction projects.
• Assists with obtaining quotes and proposals from contractors and vendors.
• Monitors contractors and coordinates schedules with the manager and stakeholders, confirming all contractor work is completed.
• Responsible for minimizing negative impact on research for investigators during renovations and contractor activities; supports ARC projects with equipment relocation, mounting/de‑mounting, and fabrication of purpose‑built solutions.
• Routinely assists with monitoring environmental conditions (lights, temperature, and humidity) and verifies proper operation of building systems and equipment.
• Utilizes the Building Automation System (BAS) to create reports and retrieve trending data.
• Understands proper environmental parameters and awareness of effects on research animals when ranges exceed specifications.
• Functions as a resource for the team regarding equipment operation and repair.
• Provides hands‑on equipment troubleshooting and diagnostics and implements approved solutions.
• Maintains light fixtures, replaces bulbs, cleans supply and exhaust grilles, and replaces filters.
• Un‑crates, assembles, installs, and otherwise prepares and maintains miscellaneous equipment (carts, housing racks, dispensers); loads, unloads, and transports equipment within and between facilities.
• Leads the coordination of maintenance of facilities, grounds, and/or equipment; receives requests for services from unit employees and coordinates delivery of appropriate services.
• Utilizes specialized skills and on‑the‑job experience to conduct inspections of buildings, equipment, and surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems.
• Prepares written reports summarizing findings and recommends solutions; coordinates package receipt and delivery, equipment and material movement, ensures proper and timely set‑up of employees in new office space, maintains building security—including keys—and maintains information on building blueprints, space utilization data, and equipment.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Vocational training, apprenticeships, or equivalent experience in a related field. A four‑year degree is not typically required.

Work Experience

Knowledge and skills developed through seven or more years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• College or university degree in facilities operations, building engineering, or equipment maintenance.
• Work experience in an academic environment and biomedical research.
• Work experience in shop equipment repair, machine tools, and welding.
• Work experience in building systems and HVAC maintenance strongly preferred.
• High mechanical aptitude with attention to detail and thoroughness.
• Familiarity with Building Automation Systems and commercial building infrastructure.
• Good written, verbal, and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to assess conditions and disseminate observations effectively.
• Willingness to work successfully as a member of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure of frequent deadlines.
• Computer knowledge and skills.

Working Conditions

• Push or pull objects up to 100 pounds; climb ladders and access equipment/parts in unique or hard‑to‑reach locations.
• Availability to work on‑call nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating schedule with other team members if needed.
• Occasional stooping, kneeling, and reaching.
• Requires 80 percent walking and standing and 20 percent sitting.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) must be uploaded via the My Experience page in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Facilities Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non‑Exempt

Pay Range

$28.85 - $38.46 (Hourly)

Note: The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773‑702‑5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

Security & Fire Safety

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.