Zoo Facilities Manager: Lead Maintenance & Safety

indianapoliszoo; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking a Facilities Manager to lead a skilled maintenance team, oversee daily work, and drive preventative maintenance for buildings, exhibits, and equipment. The role involves hands-on leadership in a dynamic zoo environment with some weekends and on-call duties.

You will collaborate with cross-department teams to coordinate access, closures and timelines while ensuring safe, guest-ready facilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; trade certifications preferred.
• Five or more years of facilities management experience, with trades such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, fleet maintenance or metal fabrication.
• Working knowledge of carpentry, welding, plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems.
• Experience with fleet repair and maintenance, including vehicles, utility carts and small engines.
• Ability to read blueprints.
• Experience using hand and power tools and safely operating heavy equipment.
• Working knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• GIS and CAD experience is a plus.
• Indiana driver's license, or ability to obtain within 30 days, with insurable driving record.
• Ability to obtain forklift operator certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and support Facilities employees, including hiring, training, scheduling, coaching and performance management.
• Assign and prioritize Facilities work orders based on urgency and operational needs.
• Oversee preventative maintenance programs and ensure maintenance schedules align with manufacturer recommendations.
• Manage third-party service contracts and coordinate contracted work.
• Support facility maintenance projects, equipment replacements, upgrades and refurbishments.
• Maintain accurate inventories of facility assets, supplies and materials.
• Help ensure compliance with safety requirements, codes and regulations, including USDA, IOSHA and PPE standards.
• Partner with the Director of Compliance and Safety on safety procedures and inspections.
• Work collaboratively with departments throughout the Zoo to coordinate projects, access, closures and timelines.
• Provide strong leadership, sound judgment and creative problem-solving when challenges arise.

Skills

Facilities management

Team leadership

Electrical systems

HVAC systems

Plumbing

Carpentry

Fleet maintenance

Blueprint reading

Safety compliance

Vendor management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Trade certifications preferred

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

GIS

CAD

Job description

The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking a Facilities Manager to lead a skilled maintenance team, oversee daily work, and drive preventative maintenance for buildings, exhibits, and equipment. The role involves hands-on leadership in a dynamic zoo environment with some weekends and on-call duties.

You will collaborate with cross-department teams to coordinate access, closures and timelines while ensuring safe, guest-ready facilities.