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Position Title:
Director of Maintenance and Custodial Services, Campus Life - Student Services and Housing

Job Category:
Limited

Employment Type:
Regular

Job Profile:
Facilities Director (B)

Job Duties:

Attention:

The Department of Student Services and Housing within the Division of Student Affairs and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Director of Maintenance and Custodial Services, Campus Life (FACILITIES DIRECTOR, FP124).

Job Details:

The Director of Maintenance and Custodial Services, Campus Life provides strategic leadership and comprehensive operational oversight for maintenance operations, custodial services, building systems, and auxiliary operations supporting student housing, dining services, the university center, and other assigned Campus Life facilities.

This position is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective operation of Campus Life facilities in support of student services, residential life, campus engagement, conferences, and institutional goals.

The Director works in coordination with the Director of Planning and Projects, Campus Life related to planning and execution of all auxiliary capital projects, including renovations, major repairs, infrastructure improvements, and new initiatives.

This position oversees long-range operational planning, facilities strategy, asset preservation, operational performance, regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, customer service standards, and workforce leadership for assigned Campus Life facilities and operations.

Through strong cross-functional partnerships with Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), Director of Capital Planning and Budgets, Housing, Dining, Student Affairs, and auxiliary leadership, the Director ensures facilities systems are reliable, compliant, efficient, and strategically positioned to support student success, operational excellence, and long-term financial stewardship.

Essential Job Functions

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Serve as a key member of the Campus Life leadership team, contributing to the strategic direction and operational management of auxiliary operations.

• Provide senior leadership and strategic oversight for facilities operations supporting University Housing, Dining Services, the University Center, and related auxiliary facilities.

• Collaborate with Campus Life leaders to align maintenance priorities, operational needs, and service delivery expectations with student experience goals and auxiliary performance objectives.

• Represent Auxiliary Services in campus operational planning and infrastructure discussions.

• Ensure timely response to service requests and operational issues.

• Coordinate emergency response and after-hours facilities coverage as required.

• Establish and maintain operational policies, procedures, and service standards.

• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, safety, and continuous improvement.

Campus Life Facilities Operations

• Direct the daily operation and maintenance of assigned Campus Life facilities, including residence halls, dining facilities, the university center, and related support facilities.

• Ensure facilities are maintained to support student satisfaction, occupancy readiness, customer service standards, and operational continuity.

• Coordinate maintenance and custodial activities to minimize disruption to residential and auxiliary operations.

• Support event operations, student programming, conferences, and auxiliary activities occurring within assigned facilities.

• Collaborate with Housing, Dining, Student Affairs, and auxiliary services leadership to ensure high-quality operational support services.

Facilities Operations & Systems Management

• Ensure reliable operation of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, life-safety, and related building systems within assigned Campus Life facilities.

• Oversee preventive maintenance programs and operational work management processes.

• Provide executive oversight of the TMA work order management system to ensure efficient service delivery, accurate tracking, reporting, and data-informed decision-making.

• Monitor service requests, maintenance response times, preventive maintenance completion, and operational performance metrics.

• Coordinate operational support during emergencies, severe weather events, utility interruptions, and operational disruptions.

• Identify operational efficiencies and implement process improvements to enhance service quality and resource utilization.

Financial & Operational Management

• Develop and manage departmental operating budgets for Campus Life facilities and custodial services.

• Monitor expenditures, staffing resources, contracts, materials, and operational costs.

• Ensure responsible stewardship of institutional resources and assigned facilities assets.

• Review operational and financial data to support informed decision-making and service improvements.

• Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies while maintaining service standards.

• Provide operational input and facility condition information to support institutional planning efforts.

Leadership & Workforce Development

• Directly supervise facilities maintenance, custodial services, skilled trades, and building systems personnel supporting assigned Campus Life facilities.

• Recruit, mentor, develop, and evaluate supervisory, technical, and support staff.

• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures for assigned personnel.

• Promote employee engagement, teamwork, and professional development opportunities.

• Support workforce training, safety education, certification programs, and compliance initiatives.

• Participate in labor relations activities and ensure compliance with applicable personnel policies and collective bargaining agreements, if applicable.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, ADA, environmental, fire/life safety, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

• Promote safe work practices and maintain a strong culture of workplace safety.

• Oversee inspections, audits, corrective action initiatives, and regulatory reporting activities.

• Coordinate operational response efforts during emergencies, utility outages, severe weather events, and Campus Life operational disruptions.

• Support continuity of operations for Campus Life facilities and auxiliary services during emergencies and operational interruptions.

• Collaborate with campus leadership, public safety personnel, and external agencies during emergency response activities.

Contract & Vendor Management

• Oversee procurement and administration of operational service contracts, maintenance agreements, and vendor partnerships related to assigned Campus Life facilities.

• Evaluate contractor performance and ensure compliance with institutional standards, timelines, and service expectations.

• Collaborate with procurement and finance departments regarding purchasing activities and contract administration.

• Ensure vendors and contractors comply with institutional safety and operational requirements.

Sustainability & Operational Efficiency

• Support institutional sustainability initiatives through energy conservation, waste reduction, and efficient operational practices within Campus Life facilities.

• Monitor utility usage and operational performance to identify opportunities for improved efficiency.

• Promote environmentally responsible practices within facilities and custodial operations.

• Support sustainability reporting and compliance initiatives as assigned.

Customer Service & Campus Relations

• Maintain strong working relationships with Housing, Dining, Student Affairs, auxiliary services leadership, faculty, staff, students, and external partners.

• Ensure responsive customer service and timely resolution of operational concerns.

• Communicate effectively regarding operational issues, service interruptions, and facilities-related initiatives.

• Support a positive residential and campus life experience through effective facilities and custodial operations.

• Foster collaborative partnerships that support student success, campus engagement, and institutional priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Director directly supervises personnel supporting:

• Skilled trades staff, facilities maintenance technicians, and building systems personnel

• Manager of Custodial Services, Campus Life (Custodial Operations)

• Administrative Assistant

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Reviews work place health and safety expectations with employees and provides instruction as needed

• Develops priorities and implementation strategies for creating custodial and maintenance standards, schedules, and labor requirements for routine and emergency repairs, housekeeping, preventative maintenance programs, grounds work, warehouse functions, renovations, and capital improvement projects

• Determines and directs standards for routine and preventative work orders, warehouse/purchasing tracking, building and grounds projects, and use of automated maintenance

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

• Develops and fosters a working relationship with university and state professional architects and engineers, project managers, building construction superintendents, and outside contractors while representing staff and residents

• Develops and audits the unit budget

• Directs the planning and scheduling of building maintenance and remodeling activities, incorporating operational requirements and priorities

Department:

Student Services and Housing - Student Affairs

Compensation:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $84,000 - $90,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Construction Management, Public Administration, or related field.

• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of facilities maintenance operations, custodial services, building systems, safety regulations, and operational management practices.

• Experience managing operating budgets, contracts, and operational resources.

• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education, student housing, auxiliary services, hospitality, or large institutional facilities operations.

• Professional certifications such as Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Facilities Management Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and Microsoft Office applications.

• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and Microsoft Office applications.

• Experience with regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, and emergency management operations.

• Knowledge of labor relations and collective bargaining environments.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A strong commitment to excellence in public service and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative and culturally diverse environment.

• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in both office and field environments.

• Position may require evening, weekend, holiday, and emergency response availability.

• Fr