Under the direction of the Director of Facilities and Fleet, the Facilities Manager is responsible for recommending annual and long-range planning for the maintenance operations, safety and the overall quality of Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC) facilities. This position oversees the day-to-day operations and staff assigned to the Facilities Management division, assisting in planning, directing, supervising, and evaluating the work and effectiveness of facilities maintenance operations. The flexible nature of work responsibilities varies because of seasonal needs, emergency responses, and changes in priorities.

Typical Duties

Provides direct/indirect supervision over employees

Manages, supervises, and expedites the progress of skilled and semi-skilled union trades personnel that are engaged with the installation, maintenance, and repair of facilities throughout the FPCC

Encourages and motivates employees supervised to perform at a consistently high level

Monitors staff to ensure they are maintaining work log records manually and via Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS)

Receives reports from field personnel on the breakdown, failure, or damage of facilities involving the need for personnel; determines the urgency and type of repair needed

Meets and confers with District personnel, outside contractors, vendors, and various State and local agency representatives on various department-related matters

Recommends staffing, including hiring, performance evaluations and terminations.

Ensures the maintenance, safety, and the overall quality of FPCC facilities

Delegates work orders for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, painting, construction, fuel orders, and fire protection systems such as alarm, piping, extinguishers, halon, and sprinklers facility services

Manages and reviews service contracts and vendors to ensure facility management needs are being met

Responds to facility and equipment alarms and system failures

Supervises the construction/rehabilitation of various buildings, structures, equipment, and landscapes

Orders, stores, and maintains an ongoing inventory of all equipment required for facility maintenance

Assessment of documents and work orders to ascertain and recommend the most feasible replacement/repair of new or existing utilities, structures, equipment, and finishes

Responsible for fuel storage and dispensing systems and software program

Complies with green energy and environmental initiatives

Manages waste, pest control, and pollution abatement e.g., lead paint, asbestos, PCB's, etc. for FPCC facilities

Oversees special emphasis programs, e.g., Green Initiative Program, FPDCC Recycling Program, and Hazardous Waste Materials Program (HAZMAT)

Recommends disposal of equipment through trade-in or salvage, based on records and inspection equipment.

Confers with utility companies regarding energy conservation measures

Coordinates Environmental Conservation/Safety/Sign Programs

Schedules efficient and cost-effective contracts, high quality contractors and work products

Establish budget estimates and scheduling standards to plan, monitor, track and document the execution of FPCC repairs and maintenance work

Prepares public contracts consisting of Request for Quotations, Requests for Proposals, and Requests for information

Prepares status reports of progress and achievement of targeted goals

Participates in forming preventative maintenance standards and reviews work in progress to insure implementation and compliance

Reviews work in progress to gauge timeliness, cost-effectiveness, and quality of execution of repairs and maintenance functions and tasks

Estimates the number of materials needed for both major and minor repairs, and the rehabilitation of various FPCC facilities

Oversees the execution of contracts, including conformity to work agreements, budget, and work schedules. Participates in project teams of architects, engineers, and project managers

Works with FPCC managers to insure responsible and high-quality implementation of work orders. Contributes to regular communication among staff, and contractors.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Facilities Management, Facilities Engineering, Business Management, Property Management or a substantially similar area and 3 or more years of full-time work experience in general maintenance and repair such as carpentry, electrical, masonry, painting and plumbing work OR a high school diploma or GED and 7 or more years of full-time work experience in general maintenance and repair such as carpentry, electrical, masonry, painting and plumbing work.

Must possess 3 or more years of full-time work experience in a supervisory capacity.

Must possess a valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

Possession of at least 1 season of work experience with the Forest Preserves of Cook County; OR possession of at least 1 season of work experience as a Conservation Corp Crew member; OR possession of at least one season of work experience on property of the Forest Preserves of Cook County with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Greencorps Chicago; OR possession of at least 1 season of work experience with other partners such as, Friends of the Forest Preserves or the Student Conservation Association.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Other Characteristics

Knowledge of and experience operating heavy equipment e.g., backhoes, wheel loaders, forklifts, excavators, etc.

Experience dealing with contractors and labor unions

Detailed knowledge of repair, maintenance, operational practices, and regulations as it pertains to the FPCC

Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) Facilities Management systems, as well as other reporting and analytics tools.

Up-to-date knowledge of environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations.

Ability to direct a full range of maintenance operations on a variety of equipment and vehicles.

Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings.

Ability to prioritize, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work assigned to personnel to achieve goals and objectives.

Knowledge of FPCC disciplinary policies and procedures and the ability to enforce when necessary.

Ability to maintain a high level of efficiency and morale while supervising and cooperating with employees, while dealing with the general public and other districts.

Skill in communicating effectively and tactfully with others both verbally and in writing. Ability to explain services and operations or provide general directions and information to callers and visitors.

Ability to take charge during emergency situations.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Benefits Package

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Basic Term Life Insurance

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:

http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

Veteran’s Preference

When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Identify him/herself as a Veteran on his/her employment application by answering “Yes” to the question “Are you a military veteran?”

Attach a copy of his/her DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, the one with the most recent date should be submitted. Coast Guard members must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).

Provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED.

MUST BE A RESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY OR ESTABLISH RESIDENCY IN COOK COUNTY WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT AND REMAIN A RESIDENT AT ALL TIMES DURING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DISTRICT.

MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED AT THE TIME OF HIRE OR SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WITHIN ONE (1) WEEK OF START DATE.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each brings to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.