JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Facilities Management serves as the senior facilities executive for the DC Public Library (DCPL) system, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for one of the District’s most consequential public asset portfolios. The Director is responsible for the stewardship of 26 facilities — comprising the landmark 440,000 square-foot Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and 26 branch locations — representing a combined portfolio in excess of 1 million gross square feet distributed across all eight wards of Washington, D.C.
This is an executive-level Class-A facilities management role requiring mastery of modern engineering disciplines, capital asset lifecycle planning, sustainable operations, and high-performance team leadership. The Director operates as the principal technical authority and strategic advisor to the Chief Business Officer on all matters related to the built environment, infrastructure, and facilities operations. The incumbent leads a team of engineers, trades supervisors, and support professionals, and must demonstrate the credentialing, technical depth, and leadership acumen commensurate with managing a complex, historically significant, and high-public-visibility civic facility portfolio.
DC PUBLIC LIBRARY PORTFOLIO
The DCPL facilities portfolio presents a scope and complexity comparable to Class-A municipal and institutional portfolios across the DMV region:
27 facilities totaling more than 1 million gross square feet across all eight wards
Facility types ranging from the 440,000 SF central library (a National Register historic property), to full-service 15,000–20,000 SF branches, storefront libraries, modular and temporary structures, standalone community libraries, and public-access kiosks
Infrastructure of varying age — from recently renovated facilities to structures with aging mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems requiring sustained capital investment
Life-safety systems including fire protection, emergency egress, elevator and escalator systems, and public building security infrastructure
Buildings subject to historic preservation standards, LEED certification targets, DC Green Building Act requirements, and municipal energy benchmarking mandates
24/7 public-access operations creating continuous occupancy demands across the portfolio
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP & PROGRAM DIRECTION
Establishes the vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap for DCPL’s Facilities Management program, aligned with the Library’s strategic plan and capital improvement priorities
Serves as the Library’s primary technical authority on all facilities, infrastructure, and engineering matters; advises the Chief Business Officer, Chief Librarian, and Library Board of Trustees
Develops and enforces facilities management policies, standards, and operating procedures consistent with industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and the Library’s operational mission
Leads organizational change efforts to modernize maintenance culture, adopt emerging technologies, and elevate the performance and professionalism of the facilities team
CAPITAL PLANNING & ASSET LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
Directs the development of comprehensive short- and long-range capital asset plans, including 10-year facility condition assessments, infrastructure renewal forecasts, and deferred maintenance reduction strategies
Manages the multi-million dollar facilities operations and capital maintenance budget; ensures fiscally responsible allocation of resources across the portfolio with measurable performance outcomes
Oversees design and construction projects in coordination with the Office of Capital Construction; provides owner’s representation expertise during renovation, modernization, and new construction phases
Establishes and monitors building asset inventories and equipment lifecycle schedules through a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) platform
ENGINEERING & INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS
Directs preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for all Library facilities, including:
HVAC, boiler, chiller, and building automation systems (BAS/BMS)
Electrical distribution, emergency power, and lighting systems
Plumbing, domestic water, and sanitary systems
Vertical transportation (elevators, escalators, lifts)
Roofing, envelope, and structural systems
Fire protection and suppression systems
Security, access control, and surveillance infrastructure
Leads a team of licensed engineers, trades supervisors, maintenance technicians, custodial services staff, and contract personnel; sets performance standards, manages workloads, and fosters a high-accountability team culture
Evaluates, integrates, and champions smart building technologies and IoT-enabled monitoring systems to optimize energy performance and reduce reactive maintenance incidents
SUSTAINABILITY & ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Leads DCPL’s energy management program in compliance with the DC Sustainable Energy Utility targets, Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS), and DC Green Building Act requirements
Develops and implements energy conservation measures (ECMs), demand response programs, and utilities benchmarking using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
Coordinates with District agencies (DOEE, DGS, DMPED) on sustainability mandates, green infrastructure requirements, and environmental compliance reporting
Pursues and manages LEED, ENERGY STAR, and other sustainability certifications across the portfolio where applicable
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & LIFE SAFETY
Ensures full compliance with all applicable Federal, District, and local regulatory requirements including DC Construction Codes, NFPA life safety standards, ADA accessibility requirements, OSHA workplace safety standards, and EPA environmental regulations
Manages the Library’s fire and life safety inspection program; coordinates with the DC Fire Marshal, DCRA, and other regulatory bodies
Directs the Library’s ADA transition plan and facility accessibility improvement program
Oversees environmental compliance for programs including asbestos and lead-based paint management, indoor air quality monitoring, and stormwater compliance
VENDOR & CONTRACT MANAGEMENT
Develops and manages a comprehensive portfolio of service contracts, maintenance agreements, and capital project contracts; ensures vendor accountability through performance metrics, SLAs, and regular audits
Partners with DCPL’s Procurement Office to develop technically sound scopes of work, RFPs, and contract specifications for facilities-related procurements
Manages key vendor relationships for custodial services, security services, landscaping, fleet, moving, mail services, trash removal, and specialty maintenance
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & BUSINESS CONTINUITY
Develops and maintains the facilities emergency management plan and continuity of operations (COOP) protocols for the Library system
Serves as the facilities emergency coordinator; leads response and recovery efforts during infrastructure failures, weather events, or other facility emergencies
Coordinates with DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) and other District partners on emergency preparedness planning
ORGANIZATIONAL & STAKEHOLDER LEADERSHIP
Leads, mentors, and develops a multidisciplinary team of engineers, facilities professionals, and support staff; builds capacity, succession, and professional development pathways
Cultivates effective relationships with DCPL senior leadership, the Library Board of Trustees, DC Government agencies (DGS, DCRA, DOEE, DDO), community stakeholders, and professional organizations
Prepares and presents facilities program reports, capital investment analyses, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and governance bodies
Represents DCPL in inter-agency working groups and professional industry forums relevant to public sector facilities management Preferred
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Mastery of facilities management principles, engineering disciplines, and building systems operations for large, complex, multi-site portfolios
Advanced knowledge of HVAC, MEP systems, building automation and control systems, energy management, and infrastructure engineering
Deep working knowledge of relevant codes and standards: IBC, NFPA 101, ASHRAE 90.1, ADA Standards for Accessible Design, OSHA 29 CFR 1910, and DC Construction Codes
Proficiency with CMMS platforms (e.g., Maximo, Archibus, Famis360, or equivalent) and building information modeling (BIM) tools
Working knowledge of LEED certification processes, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, and sustainability reporting frameworks
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT
Demonstrated executive leadership of multidisciplinary facilities teams, including licensed engineers, trades professionals, and contracted service providers
Proven ability to develop and manage multi-million dollar operating and capital budgets with fiscal discipline and transparent reporting
Strong project management capability with experience overseeing simultaneous capital improvement projects across a distributed portfolio
Ability to drive organizational culture change toward data-driven, preventive maintenance practices and continuous improvement
COMMUNICATION & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Exceptional written and oral communication skills; ability to present complex technical matters clearly to non-technical audiences including executive leaders and governance bodies
Skill in building collaborative relationships across government agencies, community stakeholders, labor unions, and private sector vendors
Political and organizational acumen required for the public sector DMV environment
ANALYTICAL & STRATEGIC THINKING
Ability to develop and execute long-range facility master plans and capital reinvestment strategies
Skill in conducting facility condition assessments, lifecycle cost analyses, and risk-based prioritization of maintenance investments
Experience with data analytics tools and dashboards to monitor KPIs, track deferred maintenance, and inform decision-making.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or Structural), Architecture, Construction Management, or a closely related field required.
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive facilities management experience, of which at least five (5) years must be in a senior leadership or director-level role overseeing multi-site, complex building portfolios of no less than 500,000 gross square feet.
Demonstrated leadership of large, multidisciplinary teams including licensed engineers and trades professionals
Proven track record of managing multi-million-dollar facilities operating and capital budgets
Experience navigating the public sector regulatory environment in the District of Columbia or comparable jurisdiction
Significant experience in contract development, vendor management, and procurement for facilities services
Demonstrated proficiency with CMMS platforms, building automation systems, and data-driven maintenance program management
PREFERRED
Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field strongly preferred.
Experience in Class-A institutional, government, cultural, or civic facility environments is strongly preferred. DMV regional experience is highly valued.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Candidates for this role are expected to hold, or demonstrate active progress toward, professional credentials that reflect the caliber of Class-A facilities leadership required. The following certifications are recognized:
Credential
Issuing Body
Required / Preferred
Focus Area
Certified Facility Manager (CFM)
IFMA
Required
Comprehensive FM Leadership
Facility Management Professional (FMP)
IFMA
Required (or CFM)
FM Fundamentals
Project Management Professional (PMP)
PMI
Required
Capital Project Delivery
NOTE: Candidates who are selected and do not have the certifications listed above are required to obtain 2 out of 3 within 18 months of their initial appointment.
WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT
The work is performed in an office setting. May be required to travel between the DC Public Library’s 26 branch location.
DISTRICT REFERENCE CHECK
All applicants who are current or former District of Columbia Government employees will be subject to a background examination prior to the issuance of a conditional offer of employment. This review will include coordination with District agencies where the applicant is currently or was previously employed. The purpose of this examination is to verify the applicant’s employment standing and determine eligibility for rehire, reassignment, or promotion within the District government. Applicants found not to be in good standing may be deemed ineligible for further consideration.
By applying to this vacancy announcement, you hereby authorize the District of Columbia Public Library to conduct a background examination and reference check, including coordination with any District agencies where you are currently or was previously employed, to verify your employment standing and assess your eligibility for continued employment consideration.
GENERAL SUITABILITY SCREENING
This position is subject to general suitability screening; verification of employment history, reference checks and degree/license, as applicable. The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory general suitability screening.
ENHANCED SUITABILITY SCREENING
The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening; If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and the appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS
Type of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service (MSS).
MSS At-Will Statement: Positions in the Management Supervisory Service (MSS) serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.
Tour of Duty/Schedule: This position primarily works during standard business hours with flexibility to perform duties during evenings and weekends to support operational needs.
Emergency/Essential Designation: This position is designated as Essential. The incumbent is required to work weekends, nights, and a variety of shifts and double shifts when circumstances warrant. The incumbent must be available for phone calls and emergency recall after hours.
Department: Business Operations
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement
Promotion Potential: None
Appointed Salary: The selected incumbent will be appointed at the appropriate salary rate of MSS 15
Budgeted Salary: The anticipated proposed budgeted salary range for this position is annually and will range from $150,000 to $ 160,000. Salary will be commensurate with experience.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We appreciate every applicant’s interest. However, only those who meet the qualifications and are considered by the hiring committee or interview panel will be contacted for the next steps in the recruitment process.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
Applicants claiming residency preference will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.
If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the District of Columbia government's retirement plan. However, if selectee was previously employed in the District of Columbia government under an appointment for which he/she was eligible for Civil Service Retirement (CSR), contributions to CSR will resume upon re-employment.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.
