School Facilities Specialist (Custodial/Maintenance): Newark

Kippenc; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

KIPP New Jersey is seeking a School Facilities Specialist to ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of its Newark schools. This full-time role involves custodial duties, maintenance management, and vendor oversight, requiring strong technical skills and a proactive approach to facility management.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits plan

Health care

Retirement plan

School laptop

Transportation benefits

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in custodial or facilities management.
• Ability to lift, bend, and pull more than 50 pounds.
• Availability to handle school emergencies 24/7.

Responsibilities

• Daily cleaning of school buildings and grounds.
• Respond promptly to urgent maintenance needs.
• Manage work orders for preventative maintenance.

Skills

Carpentry

Plumbing

Electrical skills

Bilingual proficiency in Spanish

Tools

Work order systems

Job description

School Facilities Specialist (Custodial/Maintenance): Newark

• Full-time
• Start Date: Immediate opening
• Department: School-based Support

About KIPP New Jersey:

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate 7,035 students in grades K-12 across 15 schools in Newark and Camden. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals.

By 2025, KIPP New Jersey will have fifteen schools in Newark and five in Camden providing a world-class education to over 10,300 students. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

We’re seeking a School Facilities Specialist to ensure our Newark schools are clean, safe, and well-maintained. If you're a hands-on professional with expertise in facility maintenance, we want you on our team. This role involves daily custodial duties, maintenance management, and oversight of facility-related vendors. Your proactive approach and technical skills will make a lasting impact on the safety and comfort of our school community.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Daily cleaning of school buildings and grounds, adhering to best practices.
2. Respond promptly to urgent maintenance needs, including spills and student accidents.
3. Inspect school buildings and address maintenance issues in a timely manner.
4. Manage work orders for preventative maintenance and compliance tasks (using tools like School Dude or ZenDesk).
5. Cafeteria setup, event preparation, and general facilities upkeep.
6. Manage special projects related to building maintenance, such as small capital improvements.
7. Ensure timely scheduling of required inspections (fire alarms, HVAC systems, etc.).
8. Serve as the first point of contact for building alarms and security camera issues.
9. Manage vendor relationships, including daily oversight of external cleaning crews and coordinating school deliveries.
10. Ensure invoices and payments related to facility vendors are processed in a timely manner.
11. Support region-wide vendor relationships and manage vendor contracts as needed.

Qualifications:

1. 2+ years of experience in custodial or facilities management, preferably in a school setting.
2. Availability to handle school emergencies 24/7.
3. Ability to lift, bend, and pull more than 50 pounds.
4. Strong carpentry, plumbing, and electrical skills.
5. In-depth knowledge of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems.
6. Experience using work order systems.
7. A valid driver’s license.
8. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish (preferred).
9. OSHA 30 certification (preferred).
10. Black Seal Boiler License (preferred).

The salary range for this role is $45,000–$73,000, based on relevant experience in school-based facilities management. Candidates must hold a Black Seal license and have equivalent school-based experience to be eligible for a salary above $60,000.

In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP New Jersey offers a full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care, retirement, a school laptop, and transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into New Jersey from the New York City area.

KIPP New Jersey | KIPP Miami is an equal opportunity employer.