Facilities Manager

indianapoliszoo; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking a Facilities Manager to lead a skilled maintenance team, oversee daily work, and drive preventative maintenance for buildings, exhibits, and equipment. The role involves hands-on leadership in a dynamic zoo environment with some weekends and on-call duties.

You will collaborate with cross-department teams to coordinate access, closures and timelines while ensuring safe, guest-ready facilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; trade certifications preferred.
• Five or more years of facilities management experience, with trades such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, fleet maintenance or metal fabrication.
• Working knowledge of carpentry, welding, plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems.
• Experience with fleet repair and maintenance, including vehicles, utility carts and small engines.
• Ability to read blueprints.
• Experience using hand and power tools and safely operating heavy equipment.
• Working knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• GIS and CAD experience is a plus.
• Indiana driver's license, or ability to obtain within 30 days, with insurable driving record.
• Ability to obtain forklift operator certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and support Facilities employees, including hiring, training, scheduling, coaching and performance management.
• Assign and prioritize Facilities work orders based on urgency and operational needs.
• Oversee preventative maintenance programs and ensure maintenance schedules align with manufacturer recommendations.
• Manage third-party service contracts and coordinate contracted work.
• Support facility maintenance projects, equipment replacements, upgrades and refurbishments.
• Maintain accurate inventories of facility assets, supplies and materials.
• Help ensure compliance with safety requirements, codes and regulations, including USDA, IOSHA and PPE standards.
• Partner with the Director of Compliance and Safety on safety procedures and inspections.
• Work collaboratively with departments throughout the Zoo to coordinate projects, access, closures and timelines.
• Provide strong leadership, sound judgment and creative problem-solving when challenges arise.

Skills

Facilities management

Team leadership

Electrical systems

HVAC systems

Plumbing

Carpentry

Fleet maintenance

Blueprint reading

Safety compliance

Vendor management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Trade certifications preferred

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

GIS

CAD

Job description

We're looking for a Facilities Manager who can lead a talented team of maintenance professionals, keep projects moving, and make sure the Zoo's facilities are operating at their best. From animal habitats and guest pathways to our buildings, equipment, vehicles and everything in between, our Facilities team plays a huge role in keeping the Indianapolis Zoo safe, functional and ready for guests every day.

About the Role

The Facilities Manager reports to the Director of Facilities and provides hands-on leadership for the Zoo's Facilities team, including skilled trades such as electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, locksmithing and mechanics.

This position oversees daily work assignments, preventative maintenance, work orders, equipment and facility assets, vendor relationships, projects and more. You'll work closely with teams across the Zoo to coordinate access, closures and timelines while helping ensure our buildings, exhibits, walkways, driveways and parking areas remain safe, well-maintained and guest-ready.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position with varying shifts as needed for emergencies and peak-season demands. This is a hands-on facilities leadership role in a dynamic Zoo environment. The position involves working both indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and may require weekends, holidays, overtime, varying shifts and 24-hour on-call responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and support Facilities employees, including hiring, training, scheduling, coaching and performance management.
• Assign and prioritize Facilities work orders based on urgency and operational needs.
• Oversee preventative maintenance programs and ensure maintenance schedules align with manufacturer recommendations.
• Manage third-party service contracts and coordinate contracted work.
• Support facility maintenance projects, equipment replacements, upgrades and refurbishments.
• Maintain accurate inventories of facility assets, supplies and materials.
• Help ensure compliance with applicable safety requirements, codes and regulations, including USDA, IOSHA and PPE standards.
• Partner with the Director of Compliance and Safety on safety procedures and inspections.
• Work collaboratively with departments throughout the Zoo to coordinate projects, access, closures and timelines.
• Provide strong leadership, sound judgment and creative problem-solving when challenges arise.

What We're Looking For

• A high school diploma or GED; additional trade certifications preferred.
• Five or more years of facilities management experience preferred, with experience in one or more skilled trades such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, fleet maintenance or metal fabrication.
• Working knowledge of carpentry, welding, plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems.
• Experience with fleet repair and maintenance, including vehicles, utility carts and small engines.
• The ability to read blueprints.
• Experience using hand and power tools and safely operating heavy equipment.
• Working knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• GIS and CAD experience is a plus.
• A valid Indiana driver's license, or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire, with a driving record insurable by the Zoo.
• The ability to obtain and maintain forklift operator certification.

Why Join Us?

At the Indianapolis Zoo, your work directly supports our mission to protect nature and inspire people to care for our world. You'll be part of a team that keeps one of Indianapolis' most unique workplaces safe, welcoming and operating behind the scenes so our guests can have incredible experiences in front of them.

Employment at the Indianapolis Zoo is contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment testing including a background check, motor vehicle check (if applicable) and a drug test.