General Maintenance Supervisor

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Positional Summary

The Student Affairs Facilities, Planning & Operations (FPO) Department is dedicated to creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming, and functional environment for all students, faculty, and visitors. Our team manages a diverse portfolio of residence halls, ensuring they are well-maintained, accessible, and conducive to student life and learning. The General Maintenance Supervisor (GMS) provides leadership and oversight for a team of general maintenance personnel responsible for the upkeep, safety, and functionality of the residence halls at Duke University. This role ensures timely response to facilities issues, coordinates preventative and corrective maintenance efforts, and collaborates with campus stakeholders to support a safe and welcoming residential environment. The GMS promotes high standards of service, fosters team development, and upholds inclusive and equitable workplace practices while maintaining compliance with campus policies and safety regulations.

Key Position Duties

Supervision of Maintenance Mechanics

• Supervise and participate in activities of personnel engaged in the maintenance of the residence halls on the assigned Campus, equipment and furnishings to include refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, electrical equipment, plumbing fixtures and lines, mechanical equipment, carpentry work, general glass and masonry work.
• Conduct regular inspections of residential buildings, areas, equipment and furnishings to determine maintenance needs and to ensure quality control on work performed.
• Meet regularly with direct reports, including monthly 1:1 meetings, weekly campus team meetings, and quarterly feedback and review sessions.
• Meet with Bargaining Unit leadership, as needed, to discuss and address personnel related issues or concerns.
• Lead and participate in the ongoing training and development of Facilities Operations personnel, including direct reports. Facilitate trainings on a variety of topics including processing EAM work orders, annual safety trainings, training for new maintenance/repair processes, etc.
• In consultation with the Assistant Director for Facilities, or their designee, recommend various personnel functions including, but not limited to, hiring, promotions, disciplinary actions and vacation schedules.

Maintenance Oversight

• Have an awareness of and follow all departmental, divisional, and university safety and personnel possibilities, as well as local, state, and federal laws.
• Ensure compliance of all established safety and personnel policies, collective bargaining agreement guidelines, and relevant laws by direct reports, departmental personnel, and external contractors performing work in the residence halls.
• Plan and schedule work for staff ensuring proper distribution of assignments and adequate manning, space and facilities for subsequent performance of duties.
• Establish and maintain liaison with administrative and professional staff regarding general maintenance requirements which support the residential community.
• Assist in the establishment and implementation of preventive maintenance programs.
• Liaise with external contractors performing work within the residence halls, including scheduling, arranging for access to residential facilities, and assisting in troubleshooting issues and concerns.
• Collaborate with Housing and Residence Life (HRL) staff in responding to, triaging, and addressing residential student maintenance issues and concerns.
• Conduct quarterly walkthroughs and inspections of apartment residences occupied by faculty, Residence Coordinators, and graduate student staff; lead the coordination of walkthrough schedules and resolution of identified issues.
• Regularly inspect the completed work of university maintenance staff and external contractors to ensure compliance with established standards.
• Play an active role in the timely procurement, selection, maintenance, and replacement cycle of necessary tools, equipment, and supplied required by GMMs to perform daily maintenance tasks.

Project Management and Implementation

• Lead the strategic planning of various maintenance projects and repairs, including establishing and communicating timelines, developing project scope, identifying materials needed, requesting and proposing project quotes, etc.
• Evaluate and recommend proposals and quotes for repairs and projects, as well as estimate time, cost and material for assigned work, establishing sequences and methods to be used.
• Regularly communicate plans and status of various maintenance and facilities projects and issues which may impact the residential student community (e.g., emergency or planned utility shutdowns, renovation projects, refurbishments, emergency repairs) with all relevant personnel.
• Actively troubleshoot issues and concerns arising during planned projects; proactively devise, recommend, and implement appropriate remediation steps.
• Collaborate with university and departmental personnel in establishing, communicating, and meeting timelines for meeting large-scale maintenance repairs during critical periods of the year (e.g., fall opening and move-in, closing and move-out, summer conferences)

Department Leadership

• Serve in the Standby On-Call rotation, responding to after hours and weekend facilities emergencies and crises in residential buildings. Make emergency minor repairs or to contact appropriate personnel when work requires additional support.
• Actively develop rapport and collaborate with university staff and departments including, but not limited to, the university Facilities Maintenance Department, Fire Safety, Occupational & Environmental Safety Office, Housing and Residence Life, and Conference Services.
• Prepare a variety of reports and analyses setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations and conclusions.
• Provide oversight of assigned budgets to ensure appropriate and serve as a good steward of university financial resources.

Other- 5% of Effort

• Perform related duties as assigned or required to meet departmental, Division and University goals and objectives, as assigned by their Supervisor, Director, or respective designees.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative outline of the type of responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as all-encompassing or as a declaration of all specific duties and responsibilities of this position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Anticipated Pay Rate:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $28.31 to USD $44.93.  Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your pay check.  Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job 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.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Minimum Education
  • Work requires an educational background normally equivalent to a high school education with course work in skilled crafts or shop.
•  Minimum Experience
  • Work requires an extensive knowledge of general maintenance methods and techniques normally acquired through 5 years of experience in maintenance and repair of buildings, equipment, furnishings and facilities.
• OR ANY OTHER EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• HVAC H1, H2, or H3 Contractors License in the State of North Carolina.
• N.C. driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license within the first 90-days of employment.

Strong Preferred Sills and Experiences

• Ability to communicate clearly and respectful with individuals across diverse backgrounds and roles.
• Advanced experience in the skilled crafts including plumbing, HVAC, electrical, carpentry, or other skilled crafts.
• Proven experience in effectively managing collaborative, respectful team environments independently.
• Prior experience working with or managing Collective Bargaining Union employees.
• Proven skill in evaluating information objectively and applying sound judgment.
• Ability to effectively use and adapt to a range of workplace technologies and software systems, including Microsoft Office Suite, Work-order Ticketing Systems, etc.
• Experience contributing to the development, evaluation, and clear communication of organizational policies and procedures.
• Proven ability to plan, coordinate, and complete facilities and maintenance projects with attention to safety, efficiency, and team collaboration.

Physical Demands:

This position may involve periods of physical activity, including movement throughout residential buildings, standing, climbing, and lifting or moving objects up to 50 lbs. The role may require the use of tools or machinery and the ability to work in a variety of indoor and outdoor conditions.

The successful candidate must be able to perform all positional requirements of this position with or without reasonable accommodations. For more information, please visit https://hr.duke.edu/policies/ada/

Duke is an 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 (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe 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 essential job 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.