Director of Maintenance and Custodial Services, Campus Life - Student Services and Housing
Limited
Regular
Facilities Director (B)
Attention:
The Department of Student Services and Housing within the Division of Student Affairs and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Director of Maintenance and Custodial Services, Campus Life ( FACILITIES DIRECTOR, FP124).
Job Details:
The Director of Maintenance and Custodial Services, Campus Life provides strategic leadership and comprehensive operational oversight for maintenance operations, custodial services, building systems, and auxiliary operations supporting student housing, dining services, the university center, and other assigned Campus Life facilities.
This position is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective operation of Campus Life facilities in support of student services, residential life, campus engagement, conferences, and institutional goals.
The Director works in coordination with the Director of Planning and Projects, Campus Life related to planning and execution of all auxiliary capital projects, including renovations, major repairs, infrastructure improvements, and new initiatives.
This position oversees long-range operational planning, facilities strategy, asset preservation, operational performance, regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, customer service standards, and workforce leadership for assigned Campus Life facilities and operations.
Through strong cross-functional partnerships with Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), Director of Capital Planning and Budgets, Housing, Dining, Student Affairs, and auxiliary leadership, the Director ensures facilities systems are reliable, compliant, efficient, and strategically positioned to support student success, operational excellence, and long-term financial stewardship.
Essential Job Functions
Strategic & Operational Leadership
Serve as a key member of the Campus Life leadership team, contributing to the strategic direction and operational management of auxiliary operations.
Provide senior leadership and strategic oversight for facilities operations supporting University Housing, Dining Services, the University Center, and related auxiliary facilities.
Collaborate with Campus Life leaders to align maintenance priorities, operational needs, and service delivery expectations with student experience goals and auxiliary performance objectives.
Represent Auxiliary Services in campus operational planning and infrastructure discussions.
Ensure timely response to service requests and operational issues.
Coordinate emergency response and after-hours facilities coverage as required.
Establish and maintain operational policies, procedures, and service standards.
Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, safety, and continuous improvement.
Direct the daily operation and maintenance of assigned Campus Life facilities, including residence halls, dining facilities, the university center, and related support facilities.
Ensure facilities are maintained to support student satisfaction, occupancy readiness, customer service standards, and operational continuity.
Coordinate maintenance and custodial activities to minimize disruption to residential and auxiliary operations.
Support event operations, student programming, conferences, and auxiliary activities occurring within assigned facilities.
Collaborate with Housing, Dining, Student Affairs, and auxiliary services leadership to ensure high-quality operational support services.
Ensure reliable operation of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, life-safety, and related building systems within assigned Campus Life facilities.
Oversee preventive maintenance programs and operational work management processes.
Provide executive oversight of the TMA work order management system to ensure efficient service delivery, accurate tracking, reporting, and data-informed decision-making.
Monitor service requests, maintenance response times, preventive maintenance completion, and operational performance metrics.
Coordinate operational support during emergencies, severe weather events, utility interruptions, and operational disruptions.
Identify operational efficiencies and implement process improvements to enhance service quality and resource utilization.
Develop and manage departmental operating budgets for Campus Life facilities and custodial services.
Monitor expenditures, staffing resources, contracts, materials, and operational costs.
Ensure responsible stewardship of institutional resources and assigned facilities assets.
Review operational and financial data to support informed decision-making and service improvements.
Identify cost-saving opportunities and operational efficiencies while maintaining service standards.
Provide operational input and facility condition information to support institutional planning efforts.
Directly supervise facilities maintenance, custodial services, skilled trades, and building systems personnel supporting assigned Campus Life facilities.
Recruit, mentor, develop, and evaluate supervisory, technical, and support staff.
Establish clear performance expectations and accountability measures for assigned personnel.
Promote employee engagement, teamwork, and professional development opportunities.
Support workforce training, safety education, certification programs, and compliance initiatives.
Participate in labor relations activities and ensure compliance with applicable personnel policies and collective bargaining agreements, if applicable.
Ensure compliance with OSHA, ADA, environmental, fire/life safety, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Promote safe work practices and maintain a strong culture of workplace safety.
Oversee inspections, audits, corrective action initiatives, and regulatory reporting activities.
Coordinate operational response efforts during emergencies, utility outages, severe weather events, and Campus Life operational disruptions.
Support continuity of operations for Campus Life facilities and auxiliary services during emergencies and operational interruptions.
Collaborate with campus leadership, public safety personnel, and external agencies during emergency response activities.
Oversee procurement and administration of operational service contracts, maintenance agreements, and vendor partnerships related to assigned Campus Life facilities.
Evaluate contractor performance and ensure compliance with institutional standards, timelines, and service expectations.
Collaborate with procurement and finance departments regarding purchasing activities and contract administration.
Ensure vendors and contractors comply with institutional safety and operational requirements.
Support institutional sustainability initiatives through energy conservation, waste reduction, and efficient operational practices within Campus Life facilities.
Monitor utility usage and operational performance to identify opportunities for improved efficiency.
Promote environmentally responsible practices within facilities and custodial operations.
Support sustainability reporting and compliance initiatives as assigned.
Maintain strong working relationships with Housing, Dining, Student Affairs, auxiliary services leadership, faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
Ensure responsive customer service and timely resolution of operational concerns.
Communicate effectively regarding operational issues, service interruptions, and facilities-related initiatives.
Support a positive residential and campus life experience through effective facilities and custodial operations.
Foster collaborative partnerships that support student success, campus engagement, and institutional priorities.
Supervisory Responsibilities
The Director directly supervises personnel supporting:
Skilled trades staff, facilities maintenance technicians, and building systems personnel
Manager of Custodial Services, Campus Life (Custodial Operations)
Administrative Assistant
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT :
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.
- Reviews work place health and safety expectations with employees and provides instruction as needed
- Develops priorities and implementation strategies for creating custodial and maintenance standards, schedules, and labor requirements for routine and emergency repairs, housekeeping, preventative maintenance programs, grounds work, warehouse functions, renovations, and capital improvement projects
- Determines and directs standards for routine and preventative work orders, warehouse/purchasing tracking, building and grounds projects, and use of automated maintenance
- Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
- Develops and fosters a working relationship with university and state professional architects and engineers, project managers, building construction superintendents, and outside contractors while representing staff and residents
- Develops and audits the unit budget
- Directs the planning and scheduling of building maintenance and remodeling activities, incorporating operational requirements and priorities
Department:
Student Services and Housing - Student Affairs
Compensation:
Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $84 ,000 - $90,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.
UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure .
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Construction Management, Public Administration, or related field.
Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of facilities maintenance operations, custodial services, building systems, safety regulations, and operational management practices.
Experience managing operating budgets, contracts, and operational resources.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in higher education, student housing, auxiliary services, hospitality, or large institutional facilities operations.
Professional certifications such as Certified Facility Manager (CFM), Facilities Management Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and Microsoft Office applications.
Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and Microsoft Office applications.
Experience with regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives, and emergency management operations.
Knowledge of labor relations and collective bargaining environments.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
A strong commitment to excellence in public service and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative and culturally diverse environment.
Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills
Working Conditions
Work is performed in both office and field environments.
Position may require evening, weekend, holiday, and emergency response availability.
Frequent interaction with staff, contractors, vendors, students, and campus stakeholders.
Ability to inspect facilities and access mechanical rooms, rooftops, and operational areas as necessary.
Physical Requirements
Ability to move throughout Campus Life facilities and operational environments.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull objects consistent with facilities operations activities.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically.
Ability to work in varying environmental conditions, including exposure to noise, dust, heat, cold, and mechanical equipment.
How to Apply:
Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:
Contact Information:
If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or [email protected].
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Angela Meldonian
1262.472.1656
[email protected]
To Ensure Consideration:
Applications received by July 15th , 2026, are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.
UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university’s 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs — online and in person — from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university’s arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities — a priority mission since the 1970s.
UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin’s Park Place.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus Universities of Wisconsin ( https://www.wisconsin.edu ).
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report if you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.
UW IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
