Facilities Specialist

Job Description: Facilities Specialist

Reports To: Facilities Team Lead

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Takes Direction From: Head of Operations, Executive Team, Division Leadership

Calendar: Administrative Calendar

Job Summary

The Facilities Specialist supports the safe, efficient, and strategic operation of the organization’s facilities. This role combines skilled trades expertise, with a strong emphasis on carpentry and adaptive construction, with administrative, logistical, and project coordination responsibilities.

The Facilities Specialist serves as a key operational partner to the Facilities Team Lead. This individual manages facilities logistics, oversees the facilities request system, coordinates vendors and documentation, supports compliance tracking, and leads medium-scale facilities projects from planning through execution.

This position requires strong independent judgment, organization, and the ability to design and implement creative, special needs-informed solutions that enhance safety, durability, and accessibility across campus environments. The Facilities Specialist may supervise Facilities Technicians in the absence of the Facilities Team Lead and may serve as a succession pathway within the department.

Certifications and Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Trade school certification, apprenticeship completion, or equivalent carpentry/construction experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience in carpentry, framing, cabinetry, finish work, and light renovation projects
• Basic understanding of electrical, plumbing, and general maintenance
• Minimum of 3–5 years of facilities, construction, or maintenance experience
• Experience in an independent school or educational setting preferred
• Current (dated within a year) Act 34, 114, and 151 clearances
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to work independently in person or virtually as needed

Essential DutiesAdministrative & Logistical Operations

• Manage and triage the facilities request system, ensuring timely assignment, tracking, and resolution of work orders
• Coordinate vendor scheduling, site access, and documentation tracking under the direction of the Facilities Team Lead
• Maintain compliance documentation including insurance certificates, permits, inspection logs, and regulatory records
• Support budget tracking, invoice coordination, and documentation preparation for review and approval
• Maintain and oversee asset tagging systems for furniture, equipment, keys, and facilities-related items
• Conduct regular inventory checks and coordinate with procurement to maintain appropriate supply levels
• Maintain accurate records related to facilities projects, preventative maintenance, inspections, and compliance
• Assist with facilities planning, room layouts, and operational logistics
• Support cross-campus deliveries and operational coordination
• Support the tracking and reporting of facilities-related metrics, including work order completion timelines, preventative maintenance schedules, and project progress indicators
• Support ongoing compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and insurance requirements

Carpentry & Skilled Trades

• Design, build, and install custom carpentry solutions that enhance safety, accessibility, and functionality
• Perform framing, cabinetry, finish carpentry, and light renovation projects in-house to reduce reliance on external contractors
• Modify spaces to support special needs-informed design principles
• Construct adaptive furniture, storage, safety barriers, and protective installations as needed
• Perform remodeling, repair, and refurbishment projects
• Ensure all installations meet safety, durability, and compliance standards
• Supplement larger contractor-led projects with in-house support and finishing work

Facilities & Safety Operations

• Complete routine and preventative maintenance of all facility systems
• Conduct regular inspections of buildings and grounds
• Ensure environments remain safe and free from hazardous materials or conditions
• Ensure all relevant furniture and equipment has appropriate anti-tip and locking hardware installed and maintained
• Maintain HVAC systems, including installing, relocating, and removing window air conditioning units
• Ensure facilities are prepared for inclement weather events
• Respond to emergency maintenance needs in collaboration with the Facilities Team Lead and Head of Operations
• Maintain a safe and secure working and school environment at all times
• Ensure storage areas remain organized, accessible, and compliant with safety standards
• Maintain oversight of common areas to ensure they remain safe, orderly, and mission-ready
• Conduct facility security checks and support building safety protocols
• Support custodial and environmental needs during high-demand periods
• Proactively identify and mitigate environmental risks that could impact student or staff safety
• Maintain oversight of departmental tools, ensuring proper storage, inventory control, and safe operation standards
• Serve as a secondary facilities point of contact during emergency situations when the Facilities Team Lead is unavailable

Project Management & Departmental Support

• Lead medium-scale facilities projects from planning through execution, with emphasis on logistics, sequencing, and resource coordination
• Develop project timelines and coordinate internal and external stakeholders
• Assist the Facilities Team Lead with facilities planning and long-range operational improvements
• Supervise Facilities Technicians in the absence of the Facilities Team Lead
• Support contractor oversight for approved projects
• Maintain high standards of integrity, ethics, and mission alignment
• Build and maintain strong, supportive relationships with faculty, staff, vendors, and external partners
• Attend relevant trainings and professional development
• Maintain project documentation including scope notes, materials used, cost tracking summaries, and completion records
• Support project closeout processes including final inspections and documentation archiving

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position
• To read and abide by the Employee Handbook including updates and changes
• To attend all mandatory meetings, including those that fall outside of regularly scheduled school hours and as described in the Employee Handbook
• Adhere to A Step Up Academy’s policies, procedures, and methodologies
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The individual in this position will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by any member of the Executive Team or other appropriate administrator.
• Travel between campuses

Organizational Relationships & Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly accountable to the supervisor listed above and, in the absence of that individual, to the Head of Operations
• May provide supervision and task direction to Facilities Technicians in the absence of the Facilities Team Lead
• Does not independently approve vendor work, contracts, or purchases

Competencies Required

• Strong project coordination and logistical planning skills
• Advanced carpentry and construction proficiency
• Ability to prioritize and manage in a fast-paced, high-demand school environment
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to follow established policies and procedures
• Independent problem-solving skills with sound judgment
• Commitment to safety and special needs-informed environmental design
• High attention to detail

Work Environment Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Moderate to high degree of physical stamina
• Frequent lifting of up to 50 pounds
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, climbing ladders, and tool operation
• Regular use of powered and non-powered tools and construction equipment
• Ability to move throughout multiple campus facilities
• Exposure to the activity and noise level of a special needs school setting
• May involve exposure to communicable diseases and other adverse conditions
• Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions

Equipment/Material Handled

The individual in this position shall be assigned a variety of resources and materials which are to be appropriately stored and accounted for. All media resources and borrowed material are to be judiciously used, and are to be maintained in a reasonably unsoiled and non- damaged fashion. Must know how to properly operate or be willing to learn to operate all multimedia equipment including current technology.

A Step Up Academy reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Carpentry: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000