A facilities supervisor ensures that a commercial building or group of buildings is sound, safe, and secure. She is in charge of the property’s maintenance, repair, and improvements, as well as the hiring, training, and supervision of the people who perform these tasks. She could work in the private or public sector, in a variety of settings with varying sizes of facilities.
This person is in charge of all activities that have an impact on the employees’ physical environment. She meets with all department heads on a regular basis to identify areas of concern and prioritize projects based on their importance. If any of the issues are related to safety, they are usually given top priority.
The facilities supervisor’s top priorities are usually efficient facility maintenance and ensuring the facility’s safety. She is usually in charge of hiring and supervising the employees who clean and maintain the facilities. Her job may also require her to ensure that building construction, fire safety, and security measures are in place and that they are maintained and performed in accordance with local and regional maintenance and performance standards on a regular basis.
The facilities supervisor is usually in charge of any projects involving facility maintenance and upgrades. She frequently reviews and approves requests from various departments, plans projects efficiently to ensure minimal disruption, and hires necessary outside vendors and contractors. Her job frequently entails budget development and execution, as well as ensuring that labor and material costs are within acceptable limits.
If the facility needs physical improvements, the supervisor is usually in charge of all aspects of renovation and remodeling. Carpenters, plumbers, and painters are usually screened, hired, scheduled, and monitored by her. The facilities supervisor is also in charge of electricians and heating and cooling technicians.
A facilities supervisor’s success is typically dependent on his or her ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. To identify and resolve concerns, she is usually required to speak with all levels of management and personnel. Her job entails writing reports, maintaining books and records, and reporting on maintenance and personnel issues. Typical job responsibilities include contract review and administration.
A bachelor’s degree with a technical concentration, preferably related to industrial or commercial safety or environmental compliance, is typically required for a position as a facilities supervisor. Experience in commercial or industrial building repair, maintenance, or construction is usually required, ranging from two to eight years. It’s also a plus if you have experience with equipment or plant maintenance, industrial utility operations, or commercial security.