Facility Maintenance Specialist

Columbia-Industries; Starkville (MS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia-Industries seeks a Facility Maintenance Specialist to uphold the manufacturing site, systems, and grounds. You will perform preventive and corrective maintenance, respond to requests, coordinate with contractors, and support a clean, safe work environment.

Reports to the Facilities Manager within the Maintenance Department. The role requires hands-on maintenance across electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, and safety procedures, with strong emphasis on timely repairs and safety

Qualifications

• Two to four years of facility, building, or general maintenance experience preferred.
• High School Diploma or GED required; trade/technical training in relevant fields preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain facility organization and support building, grounds, and infrastructure improvements.
• Troubleshoot basic electrical, plumbing, HVAC and building-system issues; escalate when licensed trades are required.
• Perform routine inspections of manufacturing support areas and offices; coordinate with contractors and vendors.

Skills

Building maintenance

Electrical basics

HVAC basics

Plumbing basics

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Trade/technical training in facility maintenance

Tools

Power tools

Job description

Description

Job Summary

The Facility Maintenance Specialist is responsible for the upkeep, repair, appearance, and reliable operation of the manufacturing facility, building systems, grounds, and related support areas. This position performs preventive and corrective facility maintenance, responds to work requests, coordinates with contractors, and supports a clean, safe, and functional work environment. The position reports to the Facilities Manager and works as part of the Maintenance Department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain facility organization and support building, grounds, and infrastructure improvement projects.
• Troubleshoot basic electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other building-system issues within the employee's training and authorization; promptly **escalate** work requiring a licensed trade.
• Perform routine inspections of manufacturing support areas, offices, restrooms, breakrooms, roofs, doors, docks, walkways, parking areas, and grounds.
• Perform daily housekeeping and support or coordinate janitorial activities, including trash removal, sweeping, surface cleaning, and restroom and breakroom upkeep.
• Perform landscaping and groundskeeping tasks, including mowing, weed-eating, pressure washing, drainage upkeep, debris removal, and maintenance of walkways and exterior areas.
• Complete routine facility repairs involving lighting, painting, drywall, carpentry, doors and hardware, plumbing fixtures, roofing, and general building upkeep.
• Coordinate contractor and vendor access, communicate site safety requirements, verify completed work, and report concerns to the Facilities Manager.
• Complete preventive maintenance activities for building systems and facility equipment according to established schedules and manufacturer recommendations.
• Respond to facility work requests, prioritize them based on safety and operational impact, and communicate repair status and completion to affected personnel.
• Identify leaks, water intrusion, structural damage, trip hazards, damaged guards or barriers, and other facility concerns; correct, secure, or report the condition promptly.
• Support required inspections and functional checks of emergency lighting, eyewash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, alarms, and other life-safety equipment as assigned.
• Maintain facility tools, equipment, replacement parts, and supplies; keep maintenance shops, storage areas, and work sites clean and orderly.
• Support office and production-area moves, furniture installation, utility connections, signage, and minor facility modifications.
• Assist maintenance technicians with routine equipment maintenance and repair tasks when facility workload and priorities allow.
• Support emergency response, severe-weather preparation and cleanup, spill containment, and urgent after-hours facility repairs as directed.
• Safely operate hand tools, power tools, ladders, and powered lifts for which the employee is trained and authorized; inspect equipment before use.
• Follow all safety, environmental, housekeeping, lockout/tagout, and permit requirements, and wear appropriate PPE for each task.
• Maintain punctual, regular, and predictable attendance, with flexibility for overtime, call-ins, and schedule changes as needed.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the Facilities Manager.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Recommend practical facility improvements that enhance safety, reliability, appearance, energy efficiency, and cost control.

Perform other facility, maintenance, and site-support duties as assigned by the Facilities Manager.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of common building-maintenance practices, tools, materials, and safe work methods.
• Ability to recognize facility hazards, determine appropriate next steps, and escal­ate conditions that exceed training or authorization.
• Ability to read basic work instructions, equipment manuals, safety information, and simple diagrams or drawings.
• Basic computer skills for email, work orders, documentation, and parts or supply requests.
• Ability to communicate professionally with employees, supervisors, contractors, and vendors.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to obtain company-required certifications for powered industrial equipment, lifts, or other assigned tools.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a dependable, safety-minded, hands‑on professional who takes ownership of facility conditions and follows work through to completion. This person can assess routine building issues, organize multiple priorities, communicate clearly with employees and vendors, and work effectively both independently and as part of the Maintenance team. The successful candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and committed to maintaining a clean, reliable, and professional manufacturing facility.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

Two to four (2–4) years of facility, building, industrial, or general maintenance experience preferred. Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment is strongly preferred. Equivalent combinations of related training and hands‑on experience may be considered.

Education and/or Equivalent Experience

High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required. Technical or trade training in facility maintenance, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, or a related field is preferred.

Physical Demands

Regularly: Stand, walk, climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, use hands and arms, and lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds

Occasionally: Work at heights up to 60 feet and use ladders, scaffolds, or powered lifts when trained and authorized

Vision Requirements: Close vision, distance vision, color recognition, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

Work Environment

Work is performed in manufacturing, maintenance, office, roof, yard, and outdoor areas. The employee may be exposed to moving equipment, noise, dust, fumes, oils, chemicals, hot or cold temperatures, and changing weather conditions. Required PPE must be worn. The position may require overtime, call‑ins, or after‑hours response for urgent facility issues.