Maintenance Supervisor (School) – Career Overview
A Maintenance Supervisor (School) is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and repair operations within a school environment. This includes managing a team of maintenance staff, coordinating repairs, and ensuring that the school’s facilities are well-maintained and safe for students, staff, and visitors. The role involves monitoring building systems, performing inspections, scheduling maintenance, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
Maintenance Supervisors (School) are responsible for:
● Supervising maintenance staff, including assigning tasks, setting schedules, and ensuring the team is meeting performance and safety standards.
● Overseeing the maintenance and repair of school facilities, including classrooms, offices, restrooms, HVAC systems, plumbing, and electrical systems.
● Conducting regular facility inspections to identify maintenance needs and safety hazards, and ensuring that all systems are operating properly.
● Coordinating repairs with contractors, vendors, and other external service providers to ensure that large-scale repairs or projects are completed on time and within budget.
● Ensuring compliance with building codes and safety regulations, ensuring that school facilities meet all health and safety standards.
● Managing the maintenance budget, ensuring that repairs and improvements are cost-effective and within allocated funds.
● Maintaining inventory of supplies and equipment needed for maintenance tasks, and ensuring that all tools are in good working order.
● Managing emergency maintenance issues, such as responding to plumbing issues, HVAC failures, or safety concerns in a timely manner.
● Providing guidance and training to maintenance staff, ensuring that all personnel are knowledgeable about safety procedures, maintenance practices, and school policies.
● Communicating with school administration regarding maintenance needs, scheduling, and any issues that may impact school operations.
A successful Maintenance Supervisor (School) should be:
● Experienced in facilities management, with knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, and general building maintenance.
● Strong leadership and management skills, able to supervise and motivate maintenance staff to perform efficiently and safely.
● Organized, with the ability to manage schedules, budgets, and multiple tasks simultaneously.
● Problem-solving abilities, able to address maintenance issues quickly and find solutions that minimize disruption to school activities.
● Good communication skills, able to interact with school administrators, staff, contractors, and vendors.
● Knowledgeable about safety regulations, building codes, and health codes to ensure compliance in all maintenance activities.
● Customer service-oriented, ensuring that maintenance tasks are completed with minimal disruption to the learning environment.
Most Maintenance Supervisors (School) have:
● A high school diploma or GED, with additional training in facilities management, building systems, or construction management.
● Several years of experience in maintenance or facilities management, typically in a school or institutional setting.
● Certification in facilities management, such as Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM) or Certified Facility Manager (CFM), is often preferred.
● Safety certifications, such as OSHA or First Aid, may be required for overseeing maintenance activities.
Maintenance Supervisors (School) primarily work in schools or educational campuses, overseeing the maintenance of both indoor and outdoor facilities. The role involves both office-based tasks, such as scheduling and budgeting, and on-site responsibilities, such as inspecting facilities and supervising staff. Supervisors may need to coordinate maintenance tasks during off-hours or weekends to minimize disruption to school activities.
The demand for Maintenance Supervisors (School) is steady, particularly in larger schools, school districts, or universities with expansive facilities. With experience, supervisors can advance to higher roles, such as Facilities Manager, Building Operations Manager, or Director of Facilities. Specializing in areas such as sustainability or green building technologies can provide additional career opportunities.