Building Coordinator, Science Precinct (FMD)

Occupational Summary: The Building Coordinator – Science Precinct is responsible for ensuring that facilities and building services across the assigned area, particularly within research-intensive laboratory spaces, operate efficiently, meet stakeholder needs, and maintain a professional, safe, and functional environment. This role involves liaising with building occupants, coordinating maintenance and operational services, managing outside service providers (OSPs), and participating in long-term planning and improvement initiatives.

This position reports to the Director of Building Renewal & Project Support.

Essential Job Functions:

Customer-Focused Service:

• Act as the primary liaison between Facilities Management Department (FMD) and departmental building occupants, ensuring a customer-focused approach.
• Meet regularly with facilities representatives from Trinity Arts & Sciences, Pratt School of Engineering, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke Lemur Center, and the School of Medicine to discuss facilities-related issues.
• Maintain an up-to-date contact list for key customer groups and facilitate clear communication.
• Represent FMD positively in interactions with various university departments.

Facilities Operations & Maintenance:

• Review and manage work orders for accuracy and clarity, with a focus on laboratory and research facility needs.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, and other integrated services, ensuring minimal disruption to occupants and research activities.
• Ensure alignment with Duke's established facilities standards by conducting routine inspections of building common areas, mechanical spaces, loading docks, shared equipment, and building exteriors.
• Maintain awareness of after-hours operations, including periodic walkthroughs to assess service effectiveness.

Technical Systems & Research Facility Support:

• Provide support in coordination with FMD shops for maintaining complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems critical to laboratory and research facility operations.
• Maintain awareness of operational statuses of laboratory-specific infrastructure such as fume hoods, autoclaves, clean rooms, controlled environment rooms, ventilation systems, etc.
• Assist in coordinating the connection of research-specific equipment—such as cold chambers, sub-zero freezers, and bio-safety cabinets—to building systems, including electrical, steam, process water, vacuum, etc.
• Communicate planned utility and system shutdowns with stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Occupational & Environmental Safety Office (OESO) to ensure compliance with safety regulations for hazardous materials and ventilation systems.
• Collaborate with research staff and FMD subject matter experts to ensure proper function and maintenance of specialized lab equipment and critical building systems.

Project & Budget Planning:

• Support Office of Project Management (OPM) teams during pre-construction and construction phases, especially regarding lab-specific infrastructure.
• Provide recommendations for long-term building maintenance and renewal with a focus on high-tech research spaces.
• Contribute to the Building Renewal Budget Planning process and oversee small-scale renewal projects related to scientific spaces.
• Coordinate damage loss claims with affected occupants and Duke Corporate Risk.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness:

• Assist in emergency response efforts by providing support for evacuations, shutdowns, water events, and inspections.
• Coordinate as needed with Duke Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) and the Fire and Life Safety Division with the City of Durham Fire Marshal by facilitating building inspections and addressing related concerns.
• Support departmental contacts and operational support services in addressing deficiencies and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Event & Seasonal Coordination:

• Plan and coordinate facilities-related support for major university events such as commencement, alumni weekend, and summer research programs.
• Coordinate with Building Services staff to adjust service schedules to accommodate event-specific needs, particularly for research-related activities.

Outside Service Provider (OSP) Management:

• Develop and oversee supplemental service contracts with OSPs for specialized lab systems and scientific equipment maintenance.
• Monitor and audit service provider performance for compliance with agreements.
• Manage customer expectations and satisfaction related to OSP services.

Integrated Services Coordination:

• Facilitate the delivery of integrated services across various FMD departments, including housekeeping, sanitation, landscape services, utilities, and engineering, with a focus on research lab support.
• Lead precinct-specific meetings to align maintenance and operational schedules.
• Report key precinct updates to the Critical Systems Steering Team and request assistance when necessary.

Required Qualifications:

• 2-Year Technical Degree (4-Year Degree preferred) in Facilities Management or technical discipline. 

Experience:

• Minimum five years of experience in a maintenance and operations environment, with a focus on complex mechanical systems and laboratory infrastructure.
• Experience with HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems in research-intensive settings.
• Familiarity with Work Order Management Systems or Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Experience in high-tech lab environments, including clean rooms, specialized ventilation, and environmental control systems.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong computer proficiency (MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural and engineering plans, particularly those related to lab and research infrastructure.
• High-level organizational and analytical reasoning skills.
• Strong ability to build and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including research faculty and technical staff.
• Knowledge of maintenance, environmental services, and grounds inspections.

Additional Information:

This position is primarily in-person, as all activities take place on Duke's main campus. Standard office hours are Monday–Friday starting at 8 AM, but occasional support may be needed on weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive community where diverse perspectives and experiences are valued. All employees are expected to contribute to an environment of collaboration and respect.

Certain jobs at Duke University may require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed toproviding employment opportunity without regard to an indiv idual's age,color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identit y, geneticinformation, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orie ntation,or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a c ommunity built on collaboration,innovation, creativity, and belonging. O ur collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the richdiversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, a nd experiences flourishes.To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of thecommunity feel secure and welcome, that the contribut ions of allindividuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members ofour community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke U niversity provides an annual base salary range for thisposition as USD $ 58,656.00 to USD $93,000.00. Duke University considersfactors such as (b ut not limited to) scope and responsibilities of theposition; candidate' s work experience, education/training, and keyskills; internal peer equi ty; as well as market and organizationalconsiderations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on y our paycheck.Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and den tal careprograms, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of fami ly-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more a t:https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Essential Physical Job Fu nctions: Certain jobs at Duke University andDuke University Health Syste m may include essential job functions thatrequire specific physical and/ or mental abilities. Additionalinformation and provision for requests fo r reasonable accommodation willbe provided by each hiring department.

Minimum Requirements: 

Education

Work requires communication , coordination and trades skills normallyacquired through a high school education plus two years of specializedtraining in the building trades.

Experience

Work requires a broad knowledge of buildin g systems, equipment,renovations, and maintenance normally acquired thro ugh five years ofexperience in one or more of the skilled trades.OR AN E QUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.