General Services Specialist

South Dakota State University; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, flexible benefits

Retirement plan with 6% match

Paid holidays and vacation leave

Relocation benefits available

Job summary

South Dakota State University seeks a General Services Specialist to join the Facilities & Services Team in Brookings, SD. The role supports events, space preparation, and day-to-day facility needs with training and hands-on experience.

You’ll contribute to campus operations and grow skills while working in a dynamic university environment. The position involves setup duties, building maintenance, and basic carpentry, with a focus on safety and customer service.

Qualifications

• Authorized to work in the U.S.; sponsorship not available.
• Valid driver’s license and asbestos abatement certification within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Set up for events and handle materials.
• Deliver freight and move items.
• Assemble office furniture and partitions.
• Perform general carpentry and building maintenance.
• Repair door hardware and inspect fire extinguishers.
• Conduct asbestos abatement.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Read drawings

Customer service

Team player

Forklift operation

Tools

Hand tools

Forklifts

Job description

South Dakota State University is seeking a General Services Specialist to join our Facilities & Services Team. This is an excellent opportunity to build valuable skills, take on new challenges, and play an important role in keeping campus operations moving. From supporting events and preparing spaces to assisting with day-to-day facility needs, you'll be at the center of the action. We’ll provide the training, hands‑on experience, and support needed to help you succeed and grow. If you enjoy active work, learning new skills, and seeing the impact of your efforts every day, this could be the perfect role for you. This position is located in Brookings, South Dakota.

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $84 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Facilities and Services is the internal department overseeing the growth, maintenance, repair and changes of the facilities, infrastructure and grounds of campus and satellite locations. Campus Maintenance staff have technical expertise in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, welding, repair work, relocation, and grounds. Services include the operation, maintenance, repair and remodeling of university buildings and grounds and the operation and repair of certain types of equipment.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Responsibilities

This position includes a variety of duties including setting up for events, handling materials, delivering freight, moving items, assembling office furniture/cubicle partitions, performing general carpentry and building maintenance work, performing locksmith work repairing door hardware maintaining and inspecting fire extinguishers, and performing asbestos abatement.

Benefits

• SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave.
• We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays.
• Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.
• Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of

• Methods, practices, tools and equipment used for building maintenance
• Door hardware and lock installation/repair (preferred)
• Moving practices (preferred)
• Event setup (preferred)

Skill & Ability to

• Read and understand construction drawings and general plans
• Use routine maintenance/construction hand tools
• Demonstrate mechanical aptitude
• Operate equipment such as forklifts, general construction equipment, and hand moving equipment (preferred)
• Communicate clearly and provide excellent customer service
• Lift up to 50 pounds, bend, kneel, and climb
• Work as a team member, with a positive attitude, be flexible and receptive to a variety of work

Required License

• Valid driver’s license
• Asbestos Abatement Certification within 1 year of employment

Deadline: open until filled with a first consideration date of 12/01/2026

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check. SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

For additional information regarding this position or questions about the online application process, please contact Human Resources at 605-688-4128.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land‑grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [e-mail]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: [phone].