Facilities Supervisor

Job Description

The Facilities Supervisor directs, manages, and supervises facilities operations in support of Red Butte Garden & Arboretum. This position oversees maintenance functions; coordinates preventative maintenance, repairs, and contracted services; supports facilities planning and budgeting; and ensures compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements.

The Facilities Supervisor coordinates and leads daily facilities activities, supervises assigned staff and crew leaders, supports custodial operations in collaboration with the Custodial Supervisor, and serves as a liaison for safety, security, and environmental compliance. The position may spend a portion of time performing the work of those supervised and assists with departmental management decisions and activities.

About Us

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, serves as the State Arboretum of Utah. Located on 100 acres in the foothills above the University of Utah campus, Red Butte Garden includes over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of natural area trails.
The Garden is nationally recognized for its diverse plant collections, seasonal floral displays, outdoor concert series, private event spaces, and award‑winning horticultural education programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

Facilities Operations, Maintenance & Compliance:
Prepare, implement, and maintain an effective preventative maintenance program for buildings, equipment, and infrastructure. Coordinate and direct HVAC and other mechanical service contracts through approved service providers.
Make daily visual inspections of assigned areas to evaluate cleanliness, work progress, and completed work, and identify deficiencies requiring correction. Coordinate and assist with garden‑wide snow removal efforts during winter months to maintain safe access and operations. Maintain inventories of facility‑related chemicals, ensuring proper storage and handling in accordance with University policies and safety requirements. Serve as a liaison to University Environmental Health & Safety regarding chemical management, storage, inspections, and compliance matters.

Budgeting, Cost Control & Systems:
Monitor and evaluate the cost of custodial and maintenance functions. Review facilities budgets on a regular basis by analyzing expenditure reports, reviewing costs with crew leaders, and recommending or implementing adjustments as needed. Establish and maintain facilities operational data, including work order records, cost per square foot, utilities expenses, service contracts, and repair histories. Develop, maintain, and utilize a computerized facilities work order system to schedule maintenance activities, prioritize projects, coordinate assignments, track requests, monitor costs, and ensure follow‑up.

Supervision, Training & Staff Support:
Supervise assigned crew leaders and facilities staff through work coordination, performance feedback, counseling, and training on new procedures. Develop and implement training programs for custodial and maintenance staff to ensure technical proficiency, safety awareness, and job knowledge. Hold regular staff meetings with crew leaders to review schedules, discuss operational issues, and participate in training. Participate in recruitment activities, including interviewing and hiring facilities staff, in collaboration with department leadership. May perform a portion of the work of those supervised to support operational demands.

Custodial Support (Non‑Managerial):
Provide support and assistance to the Custodial Supervisor, without responsibility for day‑to‑day custodial staff management. Assist with custodial duties during staffing shortages or special events. Support custodial operations through coordination assistance with scheduling, deep‑cleaning projects, and participation in custodial hiring or on-boarding, in collaboration with the Custodial Supervisor.

Project Planning & Coordination:
Prioritize requests for maintenance and facilities projects and prepare project plans, including labor estimates, materials, supplies, equipment, and timelines. Evaluate project proposals with lead workers to determine labor and supply requirements and recommend modifications as necessary. Assist in determining Building Renewal & Replacement (R&R) needs, supporting development of project plans and implementation schedules. Coordinate and supervise assigned R&R projects with Facilities Planning, Physical Plant, and outside contractors to ensure work is completed according to scope, schedule, and budget.

Security & Safety Coordination:
Assign, inventory, and manage keys and two‑way radios (walkie‑talkies) for garden staff in accordance with University security procedures. May assist with facilities‑related security coordination in the absence of dedicated security staff. Serve as a member of the Garden Safety Committee, contributing to the development and implementation of safe work procedures across the garden.

Education and Experience

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Supervisor, Facilities Management: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience or a master’s (or equivalency) degree.

Additional Information

Preferences:

Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field OR an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible facilities experience.
Experience supervising staff and coordinating custodial and maintenance operations.
Knowledge of preventative maintenance, HVAC systems, building systems, custodial services, and safety practices.
Demonstrated experience with work order systems, budgeting, and contractor coordination.
Facilities experience within a university, public garden, or comparably complex institutional environment.

Application Instructions

APPLICATION LINK: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/199998