Facilities Operations Coordinator - Prairie Research Institute

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Prairie Research Institute (PRI) coordinates and manages day-to-day facilities operations across 50+ campus facilities and 30+ state facilities. The role oversees facility maintenance, repairs, preventive maintenance, asset information, space planning, and related projects, ensuring safe, efficient operations that support PRI's research and outreach missions.

Reporting to PRI leadership and supervising the Facility Research Lab Shop Supervisor, the role ensures alignment of shop, fabrication,

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Three (3) years of related experience in building operations and/or supervision.
• Experience coordinating maintenance, work orders, and facilities projects.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day facilities operations for PRI.
• Serve as primary operational coordinator for facility maintenance, repairs, and asset information.
• Supervise facility shops and fleet support functions to align with priorities.
• Collaborate with PRI leadership, Safety staff, and external contractors.

Skills

Facility operations

Work-order coordination

Vendor management

Project coordination

Recordkeeping

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Work-order software

Job description

Prairie Research Institute
The Prairie Research Institute (PRI), a research and service institute of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign centrally located between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis, houses five large scientific surveys covering a wide range of expertise including biology, water resources, climate, geology, sustainable technology, and archaeology. PRI’s mission is to provide objective, integrated scientific research and service that allow citizens and decision-makers to make choices that ensure sustainable economic development, enduring environmental quality, and cultural resource preservation for the people, businesses, and governments of Illinois. Learn more at go.illinois.edu/PRIjobs.

Job Summary

Coordinate and manage the day-to-day facilities operations of the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) and implement approved Institute facilities, space, maintenance, and capital-project priorities. Serve as the primary operational coordinator for facility maintenance and repairs, preventive maintenance, facility-condition and asset information, space and relocation activities, facility projects, vendor and contractor coordination, and related operational support. Maintain the records, work-order information, project documentation, and facility data needed for portfolio-level planning and decision making. Work collaboratively with Survey leadership, PRI Facilities and Safety staff, University Facilities & Services, Capital Programs, and external contractors to ensure safe, efficient, reliable, and well-maintained facilities that support PRI's research, administrative, and outreach missions. The portfolio includes 50+ facilities on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus and an additional 30+ facilities located throughout the State of Illinois. Provide direct management oversight of the PRI Research Lab Shop and fleet-support functions through supervision of the Facility Research Lab Shop Supervisor, ensuring that shop, fabrication, equipment, and fleet services are aligned with Institute facilities priorities, service expectations, resources, and safety requirements. Description too Large. Unable to load this field

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The work of this position takes place in office, laboratory, garage, shop, field-facility, building-service, and project/construction settings. The work may involve lifting, pushing, and pulling items weighing up to 100 pounds and exposure to grease, gas fumes, loud noise, weather, active work areas, and other adverse conditions. Periodic travel to PRI facilities throughout Illinois is required to inspect facilities, coordinate projects and service needs, and meet with staff, contractors, and service providers. The position may require entry into laboratories, mechanical or utility spaces, shops, and other operational areas and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment. Office work is sedentary and involves sitting for periods of time working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions for data entry.

Work Schedule, Travel, or Other Job Expectations

Periodic travel to PRI facilities throughout Illinois is required to inspect facilities, coordinate projects and service needs, and meet with staff, contractors, and service providers. The position may require entry into laboratories, mechanical or utility spaces, shops, and other operational areas and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Any one or combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the categories below:
• college course work in facility management, operations management, or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
• 60 semester hours or an Associate’s Degree equals one (1) year (12 months)
• training from a vocational, technical, or an armed forces program which includes building operations such as coordination of building maintenance, construction management, hospitality, or closely related experience.
• work experience which includes building operations such as coordination of building maintenance and work orders, construction management, hospitality, or closely related experience.
• One (1) year (12 months) of supervisory or administrative experience which includes building operations such as coordination of building maintenance and work orders, construction management, hospitality, or closely related experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of facility operations, maintenance and work-order coordination, preventive maintenance practices, vendor and contractor management, project coordination, space and asset records, procurement processes, and basic building-system and facility-safety considerations. Ability to read and interpret work-related documents, plans, specifications, policies, procedures, service agreements, and project information and to translate them into coordinated operational action. Ability to maintain accurate facility, maintenance, project, space, asset, and financial records and to use commonly employed software, databases, work-order systems, and reporting tools. Knowledge of customer service principles and administrative operations, including records management, business processes, resource coordination, and support for budget and capital-project activities. Ability to analyze complex operational problems, evaluate alternatives, establish urgency, apply sound judgment, and implement or coordinate effective solutions while considering safety, cost, research continuity, and both immediate and long-term impacts. Demonstrated organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, contractors, schedules, and deadlines across geographically distributed facilities with minimal supervision. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences; build collaborative relationships with PRI staff, campus units, vendors, contractors, and the public; and demonstrate strong interpersonal, teamwork, leadership, supervisory, and conflict-resolution skills. Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to identify recurring issues, track performance, and provide reliable information for management decision making. Ability to supervise specialized technical shop and fleet functions through a subject-matter supervisor, evaluate operational and lifecycle recommendations, and integrate technical information into broader facilities, resource, and risk-management decisions.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 2378 - Facility Operations Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 10/16/2026. The budgeted amount for this position is $78,000 to $90,000. The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for a position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .