Facilities Operations Leader – Hands-On & Compliance

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 67,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking an experienced Facilities Manager to lead and participate in 40-hour work weeks, combining administrative leadership with active facilities operations. The role includes hands-on troubleshooting, inspections, and maintenance across campus, using tools and equipment as needed.

Responsibilities include supervising maintenance staff, coordinating mechanical and electrical services, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, and partnering with campus

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, building operations, maintenance, construction management, or related trades.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups and respond to operational issues in a complex research and academic environment.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance requirements, including environmental health and safety, ADA accessibility, and fire/life-safety standards.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to perform hands-on facilities work, including troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building systems; operating hand and power tools; conducting inspections; and assisting with maintenance and repair activities in support of departmental operations.

Responsibilities

• Minimizes institutional liability regarding compliance with federal regulations and environmental protection, hazardous materials and waste handling, and chemical substances (15%).
• Ensures work of employees meets university standards and expectations (10%).
• Responds to facility emergencies and urgent operational issues outside normal hours (5%).
• Sets priorities for scheduled mechanical and electrical services, administers preventive maintenance, inspects facilities, and supervises routine and emergency maintenance (15%).
• Coordinates and sometimes directly supervises emergency and routine maintenance on campus facilities (10%).
• Provides coaching, mentoring, and professional development to facilities staff, promoting teamwork and accountability (5%).
• Ensures protection systems (fire panels, detectors, sprinklers, pumps) are maintained per standards and that generators, rigging systems, and elevators are operational (15%).
• Works with procurement/services and planning to develop bid specs, obtain estimates, and prepare bid documents (15%).
• Serves as an approachable facilities leader building relationships with faculty, staff, researchers, clinicians, and campus partners (10%).

Skills

Facilities Mgmt

Maintenance work

Regulatory compliance

Hands-on ability

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Associate Degree

Job description

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking an experienced Facilities Manager to lead and participate in 40-hour work weeks, combining administrative leadership with active facilities operations. The role includes hands-on troubleshooting, inspections, and maintenance across campus, using tools and equipment as needed.

Responsibilities include supervising maintenance staff, coordinating mechanical and electrical services, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance, and partnering with campus