Facility Supervisor

University of Pennsylvania; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Pennsylvania seeks a Facility Supervisor to oversee museum building operations, supervising up to seven custodians, coordinating repairs, and ensuring a clean, safe environment for visitors and staff. You will manage bids, schedule contractors, and collaborate with Collections, Visitor Services, Venue Sales, Exhibits, and other departments.

The role requires strong facilities knowledge, experience with unionized staff, and the ability to work flexible shifts including weekends

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required with 3–5 years of experience.
• Knowledge of facilities, mechanical systems, housekeeping, scheduling, APPA and regulatory standards.
• Experience with in-house unionized workforce.
• Strong customer service and communication skills; ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work all three shifts including weekends.
• Museum operations experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and supervise work orders received daily, describe work performed and manage scheduling.
• Supervision of up to 7 custodial staff.
• Clean and oversee outdoor facilities and groundskeeping, including the Koi pond.
• Primary contact for regional personnel on building issues (climate control, odors, spills, emergencies).
• Operate university vehicle to pick up maintenance supplies; inspect museum vehicle.
• Process authorized purchases using the university's purchasing card and maintain expense records.

Skills

Supervision

Facilities management

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world‑renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly‑regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Facility Supervisor

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Building Administrator Senior, the Supervisor will help maintain a high quality of building operations standards, including direct supervision of up to seven custodians at the Museum; maintaining oversight of contractors for projects within the building; obtaining and assessing bids from arranging scheduling for such contractors; as well as preparing orders, stocking supplies, and receiving shipments. The Supervisor will help to preserve and protect the artifact collections housed in the Museum and to ensure a functioning, clean, and safe environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by coordinating repair and maintenance efforts in the Museum; responding to pressing maintenance issues (leaks, elevator issues, spills, etc.); and report status and progress to appropriate Museum departments, including Collections, Visitor Services, Venue Sales and Events, Exhibits, and others. The Supervisor will be responsible for building maintenance issues and supervision of custodial staff during events on their shifts, as well as set up for non-catered events; perform regular walk‑throughs of the building to ensure cleanliness and functionality; perform or assist with repairs and maintenance; and develop and maintain a collaborative team environment between the custodial and building operations staff and various Museum departments, clients, and visitors.

Job Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule work orders received daily through the system (espace), complete them whenever possible, and describe the work performed. Furniture and equipment removal or relocation. Miscellaneous repairs such as minor plumbing issues, light bulb replacements, etc.
• Supervision of up to 7 custodial staff.
• Clean and oversee the Museum's outdoor facilities and groundskeeping, as well as maintain the Koi pond.
• Acts as the primary contact for all regional personnel for any building issues (climate control, odors, smoke, spills, damage, emergencies, and repairs).
• Operate company vehicle to pick up time‑sensitive maintenance supplies, tools, and repair materials from local vendors. Museum vehicle inspection.
• Process authorized purchases using the university's purchasing card while maintaining accurate expense records, retaining receipts, and ensuring policy compliance.

Qualifications

• High School Grad/GE Degree and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of facilities, mechanical systems, housekeeping services, scheduling, APPA and regulatory standards, planning, and administrative coordination of housekeeping and facilities.
• Significant experience and knowledge working with in‑house unionized workforce.
• Proven record of excellent internal and external customer service and communication skills and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• The ability to lift fifty (50) pounds utilizing the proper techniques and perform other tasks as needed.
• The ability to be flexible to work all three (3) shifts and weekends as may be assigned and due to emergencies.
• Experience with Museum operations preferable but not required.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as may be required.

**This position is classified as " Ess e ntial Personnel." As an ess e n tial e