Sr. Service Technician

Rutherford Management Company; California (MO); On-site; USD 45,460 - 53,726; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$33-$39/hr starting pay

Performance bonuses

Full medical/dental/vision benefits

Paid time off for volunteer work

Housing discounts of 20%

Participation in professional development programs

Job summary

A leading property management organization is seeking a Sr. Service Technician located in California. This role involves overseeing maintenance operations across multiple properties while ensuring resident satisfaction. Responsibilities include managing service requests, leading a maintenance team, and coordinating preventative maintenance efforts. The ideal candidate has 3-5 years of facilities maintenance experience, strong leadership skills, and HVAC certification. This position offers competitive pay and numerous employee benefits, emphasizing a hospitality-focused work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in facilities or property maintenance, especially multi-site.
• Strong leadership capabilities and team management experience.
• Certified in HVAC or a related technical field is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Triage and manage daily service requests across multiple communities.
• Create and maintain preventative maintenance schedules.
• Oversee emergency on-call rotation and ensure compliance.

Skills

Facilities or property maintenance experience

Leadership experience managing teams

HVAC certification or related trade

Familiarity with OSHA and safety procedures

Proficiency with maintenance work order platforms

Excellent communication skills

Job description

Overview

Sr. Service Technician

Location: Santa Cruz, CA | Company: Rutherford Management Company

At Rutherford Management Company, our Sr. Service Technicians are trusted leaders who ensure our communities are safe, well-maintained, and beautifully presented. In this role, you'll oversee maintenance operations across a multi-site portfolio and serve as a key contributor to the resident experience.

You'll lead with a hospitality-first mindset—prioritizing resident satisfaction while executing high standards in preventative maintenance, vendor coordination, unit turnover, and curb appeal. Whether you're managing your team, resolving a service issue, or preparing for a renovation project, your leadership will directly impact the quality of life for hundreds of residents.

This role is ideal for a hands-on professional who thrives on balancing operational excellence with meaningful service.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance Operations & Resident Service

• Triage and manage daily service requests across multiple communities
• Maintain exceptional response times and ensure quality repairs with a customer-first approach
• Participate in and oversee after-hours emergency on-call rotation
• Conduct regular property walks and risk audits to ensure safety and compliance

Preventative Maintenance & Capital Projects

• Create and maintain preventative maintenance schedules
• Partner with the Director of Construction on large-scale repairs and renovations
• Coordinate seasonal projects and assist in forecasting capital needs

Curb Appeal & Community Cleanliness

• Maintain a strong visual standard across all sites, from landscaping to signage
• Ensure cleanliness and presentation of entryways, amenities, and shared spaces
• Set the tone for first impressions through proactive inspections and quality assurance

Turnover & Unit Readiness

• Coordinate turnovers to meet move-in timelines with zero-defect expectations
• Collaborate with the Resident Experience Director and Leasing & Hospitality Specialist to ensure leasing deadlines are met
• Walk all completed units to ensure readiness and compliance with standards

Team & Vendor Leadership

• Supervise and mentor maintenance team members
• Source, schedule, and evaluate vendor performance
• Manage maintenance supply inventory and ensure budget-aligned purchasing

Financial & Reporting Oversight

• Monitor controllable maintenance expenses across the portfolio
• Support annual budget planning and provide recommendations for capital improvements
• Track performance metrics and submit reports on service delivery trends

What Success Looks Like

• Residents feel safe, cared for, and confident in the service they receive
• Communities are visually appealing and functionally sound, day in and day out
• Turnovers are efficient, on time, and exceed quality expectations
• Maintenance operations support broader occupancy, retention, and financial goals

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in facilities or property maintenance (multi-site preferred)
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams or vendors
• Certified in HVAC or related trade strongly preferred
• Familiarity with OSHA, building codes, and general safety procedures
• Proficient with maintenance work order platforms and property management software
• Excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills

Company Culture

At Rutherford, we lead with hospitality, and we expect our team members to do the same. Our Service Managers play a critical leadership role in our communities and help shape the day-to-day experience of our residents and team members.

We're looking for people who are:

Driven: You show up, follow through, and take pride in your work

Collaborative: You partner across roles to find solutions and elevate the team

High-Integrity: You lead by example, act ethically, and earn trust

Quality-Focused: You care about the details and always strive to do better

Service-Minded: You see maintenance as a form of care, and take it personally

Work Environment

Work hours are generally 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday, with participation in a rotating emergency on-call schedule. Travel between properties is required for multi-site portfolios. Occasional evening/weekend availability may be needed for turnovers, projects, or emergency response.

This position will oversee the Maintenance & Facilities Operations of 348 apartment homes in a garden-style property and has three direct reports.

What We Offer

• $33-$39/hr, though new team members generally start between $33-$35/hr
• A high-impact leadership role within a growing hospitality-focused company
• Competitive pay, performance bonuses, and full medical/dental/vision benefits
• Paid time off-including PTO for volunteer work
• Housing discounts of 20% (where applicable)
• Participation in RISE, our signature development program focused on professional growth, leadership, and recognition. RISE is what sets us apart—it\'s how we support our team with purpose, heart, and high standards.

Driving Requirement

This position requires regular driving. Candidates must possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License, a reliable personal vehicle, and current automobile insurance in compliance with California state law.

Background Check and Drug Screen Required