This job posting expires at 11:59PM on August 16, 2026. No applications can be submitted after 11:59PM on August 16, 2026.
Job Title: General Services Director
Department: General Services
External Hiring Range: $114,980.75 - $189,073.76
Compensation Grade: 3014
Posted Internally and Externally
Buncombe County Government is seeking a highly qualified General Services Director to oversee a broad range of essential operations that support the County’s daily functions. This role provides leadership for facilities management, grounds, fleet services, and capital projects, ensuring effective and excellent service delivery and alignment with the County’s mission and values. We are looking for a collaborative professional with strong management skills, experience in complex operational environments, and a commitment to continuous improvement in public service. This Director will lead a department of approximately 50 professionals in Building Maintenance, Fleet, Grounds Maintenance, and Administration. These divisions keep our County offices, parks, and facilities running smoothly.
Purpose of the position:
The purpose of this position is to be responsible and accountable for planning, directing, and evaluating the operations and service delivery for Buncombe County General Services. The position provides leadership and oversight for countywide facilities, fleet, grounds, parking, lease management, capital improvement planning, and construction and renovation activities. Responsibilities include developing long-range strategies for the maintenance, replacement, and improvement of County assets; overseeing large and complex capital projects and programs; ensuring efficient and cost-effective service delivery; and aligning departmental operations while ensuring stewardship of County assets, promoting organizational resilience, and supporting the County's long-term strategic objectives.
Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):
Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Facilities Management, Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field and seven (7) years of experience in the management and direction of Facility Management, Public Works, Construction/Capital Projects; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Additional Training and Experience:
Special qualifications including specialized knowledge, abilities, education, experience, or license may be established for individual positions.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:
May require registration, certification, or licensure in a specialty area.
Essential Functions of the Position
Oversee departmental operations including, but not limited to, facility maintenance and operations (including specialized facilities such as detention and public safety communications centers), facility construction and renovation projects, grounds maintenance, fleet maintenance and repair, fleet planning and procurement, parking garage operations, and lease management to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and reliable service delivery in support of County programs and services.
Provide leadership and direction to General Services management, professional, and support staff through direct and indirect supervision to ensure continued development with a focus on the delivery of superior service and adherence to established policies, procedures, and standards; champion continuous improvement, including devising new strategies, training and development opportunities to ensure staff is sufficiently knowledgeable and dynamic regarding protocols and performance expectations.
Lead the development and implementation of long-range facility and fleet planning initiatives, including facility replacement and renovation assessments, support for the development and prioritization of the County's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), vehicle replacement planning, and comprehensive cost-benefit and feasibility analyses. Evaluate and implement sustainability, resilience, renewable energy, and emerging technologies to improve facility and fleet performance, reduce lifecycle costs, and inform capital investment decisions and operational strategies.
Direct the preparation and implementation of the department’s annual operating and capital budgets consistent with program goals and objectives; provide strategic oversight of a diverse portfolio of capital and operational projects spanning multiple fiscal years, including the development and management of project budgets, schedules, resource allocation strategies, and performance measures to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in accordance with established goals and priorities.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including County leadership, departments, employees, vendors, contractors, community partners, boards, committees, and governmental agencies; represent the department through recurring and specialized meetings, workshops, task forces, and community groups to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and alignment with organizational goals.
Prepare and present reports to County leadership, boards, commissions, other governmental agencies, and community groups, including the presentation of findings related to executive and elected officials’ requests for research and information.
Receive, respond to, and resolve confidential and sensitive inquiries; investigate complaints and operational concerns and recommend corrective actions as necessary.
Ensure departmental compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Perform special projects and other related duties within area of responsibility as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of facilities management, capital improvement planning, construction and renovation project management, asset lifecycle management, and preventive maintenance principles.
Knowledge of public sector budgeting, financial management, capital planning, and resource allocation principles, including the ability to develop, administer, and monitor operating and capital budgets.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program activities and/or business functions; and of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
Ability to direct and organize program activities and/or business functions; to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; to prepare reports; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.
Knowledge of computer systems, databases, and spreadsheet use to ensure department efficiency.
Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and deliver proposals that are clear, engaging, data-based, accurate, and aligned with Buncombe County’s strategic goals.
Possesses leadership and excellent team management skills. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including experience working directly with users and collaborating across internal teams to deliver complex projects.
Supervision Received:
Receives broad direction in accordance with organizational objectives and policies and reports directly to the County Manager or Assistant County Manager.
Supervisory/Leadership Responsibilities:
Primary accountability and key controlling impact for departmental projects, processes, services, and results; responsibility for efficient operations, exercising authority for hiring and primary responsibility for budgeting and planning functions. Manages activities of two or more medium to large teams and achieves results through subordinate managers or may be responsible for managing a major entity wide function and achieves results through direct reports.
Decision Making and Problem Solving:
Problems arise from both operations and issues with strategy. Requires an ability to make decisions with some uncertainty regarding the most effective approach or methods to use requiring the analysis of multiple factors. Decisions and actions have a direct impact on departmental outcomes and long-term operational results. Regularly interacts with senior management or executive leadership on significant matters.
Physical Requirements:
Work is primarily sedentary, requiring exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively; operate computers and other standard office equipment; review written and electronic documents; and regularly travel to and inspect County facilities, construction sites, and other work locations, which may require walking, standing, climbing stairs, and navigating uneven terrain.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in both office and field environments. Field work includes visits to County facilities, construction sites, maintenance shops, parking facilities, and other County-owned properties where exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, dust, dirt, moving mechanical equipment, and construction activities may occur. The position requires travel throughout the County and attendance at meetings with County officials, contractors, consultants, and community stakeholders. This position may be required to respond to facility emergencies and emergency operations outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
During a State of Emergency, and at the discretion of the County Manager, county employees may be called in for service. This includes both essential and non-essential personnel.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by an employee assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities and the County reserves the right to amend or change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. This job description does not create a contract of employment.
Buncombe County Government offers a robust benefits package:
Relocation assistance
8% County contribution to employee 401(k)
Free physical therapy
Employee and Family Health clinic with $5 co-pay
$0 Tier-1 generic prescriptions
10+ vacation days per year
12 sick days & 13 paid holidays
The salary for this position will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications. Applicants will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and County Management expects to fill this position in fall 2026. If you have questions, please contact Recruiting Manager Caroline Long at [email protected].
Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.
It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.
