Maintenance Lead - Benedict College

Austin Grill LLC; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Grill LLC is seeking a Maintenance Lead to coordinate daily operations and oversee Facilities Technicians on their campus. This role will ensure efficient maintenance practices and provide hands-on technical support across various facilities.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years’ experience in facilities maintenance along with strong knowledge of HVAC and building systems. The position also requires excellent leadership skills to guide the maintenance team in achieving operational goals.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in facilities maintenance or skilled trades.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, mechanical systems.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical manuals.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily work assignments for Facilities Technicians.
• Perform skilled maintenance and troubleshooting of building systems.
• Inspect completed work for quality and safety compliance.
• Respond to emergency maintenance situations as required.

Skills

Technical expertise across multiple building systems

Leadership ability

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

Thompson Facilities Services is hiring a Maintenance Lead who is responsible for coordinating, assigning, and overseeing day-to-day maintenance operations across campus facilities. This role provides hands‑on technical support while also serving as the primary on‑site lead for Facilities Technicians (I, II, & III), ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with campus standards. The Maintenance Lead acts as a key liaison between the Facilities Management team, campus stakeholders, and contractors to ensure timely resolution of maintenance needs across academic buildings, residence halls, administrative offices, athletic facilities, and campus infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily work assignments for Facilities Technicians (I, II, & III) and ensure efficient workflow across campus.
• Perform skilled maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair work on building systems as needed.
• Prioritize and distribute work orders based on urgency, safety, and operational impact.
• Monitor completion of preventive maintenance schedules and ensure compliance with established timelines.
• Serve as first point of escalation for complex maintenance issues and provide technical guidance to staff.
• Inspect completed work to ensure quality, safety, and compliance with standards.
• Assist in diagnosing and resolving advanced HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and building system issues.
• Coordinate with contractors and vendors to support repairs, renovations, and capital projects.
• Maintain accurate documentation of work orders, labor hours, materials, and maintenance activities.
• Support onboarding, training, and mentoring of Facilities Technician staff.
• Respond to emergency maintenance situations and participate in on‑call rotation as required.
• Conduct routine facility inspections to identify maintenance needs, safety hazards, and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, fire safety, environmental, and institutional regulations.
• Support campus events through coordination of setup, breakdown, and facility readiness.
• Promote energy efficiency, safety practices, and proactive maintenance strategies.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in facilities maintenance, building systems, or skilled trades required.
• Previous lead, senior technician, or supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and building systems.
• Experience in institutional or campus environments is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Valid driver’s license may be required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong technical expertise across multiple building systems.
• Demonstrated leadership ability to guide and support maintenance teams.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills under pressure.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, contractors, and campus stakeholders.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations, safety protocols, and maintenance best practices.
• Ability to train, coach, and develop entry- and mid‑level technicians.
• Strong customer service mindset and commitment to campus support excellence.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds; occasionally up to 75 pounds with assistance.
• Work in confined spaces, at heights, and in physically demanding environments.
• Prolonged standing, walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, and lifting required.
• Exposure to mechanical systems, electrical components, chemicals, noise, and varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to safely operate hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment.

Work Environment

• Campus‑wide facilities - include academic buildings, residence halls, administrative offices, athletic facilities, utility spaces, and outdoor areas.
• Requires participation in on‑call rotation, emergency response situations, and occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work.
• This is an essential position which may require work during inclement weather.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.