Facilities Operations Specialist

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

JOB DETAILS
LOCATION
Gainesville, FL
POSTED
13 days ago
The Lead Facility Operations Specialist serves as the primary owner of facility operations, capital stewardship, and operational performance for UF Research @ Progress Park. This role is accountable for ensuring that all building systems, capital assets, vendor relationships, and operational processes function reliably, efficiently, and in alignment with UF’s standards of excellence, sustainability, and customer service. This position requires a highly self-directed, detail-oriented professional with a high bar for quality and performance. The successful candidate must be a disciplined problem solver who proactively identifies risks, resolves issues to closure, and holds contractors, vendors, and internal UF departments accountable for outcomes. Equally critical is a strong customer and client service mindset, ensuring that researchers, staff, and partners experience a responsive, professional, and well-managed environment. The role combines hands-on operational leadership with data-driven oversight, emphasizing measurable results, continuous improvement, and long-term stewardship and sustainability of university assets.
Classification Title:

Facilities Operations Specialist

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of appropriate experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For some positions assigned to this class, special qualifications may be added to the minimum, such as appropriate professional registration or certification.

Job Description:

FACILITY & SYSTEMS OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP
Owns day-to-day operational performance of all building systems and shared infrastructure, ensuring a safe, efficient, and client-ready environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Serve as operational owner of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, lighting, access control, security, and environmental monitoring systems.

Plan and execute interior refresh projects, including painting, flooring, finishes, and minor renovations with minimal disruption.

Coordinate signage, furniture installation, workspace reconfiguration, and lab readiness activities to ensure seamless operations.

Establish, document, and enforce preventive maintenance schedules and service contracts to ensure optimal performance and reliability.

Monitor environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality) and respond promptly to system alerts.

Serve as first responder for building alarms, system failures, and emergency maintenance events.

Maintain lifecycle documentation, warranties, and asset records for building systems and finishes.

Ensure exterior grounds, landscaping, and building appearance reflect UF standards of stewardship and professionalism.



CAPITAL PROJECTS & CONTRACTOR ACCOUNTABILITY 
Leads capital improvement and renovation projects from planning through closeout, ensuring delivery on time, on budget, and to specification.

Key Responsibilities:

Independently scope, plan, schedule, and track capital and renovation projects.

Develop project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, and risk mitigation plans to ensure effective project management and delivery.

Serve as the on-site authority for contractors and vendors, ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and schedule standards.

Coordinate with UF Facilities Services, PD&C, EH&S, Procurement, and Finance to resolve issues and remove barriers.

Hold vendors and internal stakeholders accountable for deliverables and timelines.

Maintain comprehensive project documentation, accurate cost tracking, and thorough closeout records to ensure a seamless project closure.

Provide technical guidance related to lab infrastructure, shared equipment, and building systems integration.



SAFETY, COMPLIANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT 
Acts as the primary safety and compliance lead for assigned facilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Serve as EH&S liaison for laboratories and shared research spaces.

Lead safety inspections, audits, corrective actions, and compliance tracking.

Oversee autoclave, BSC, and/or fume hood certifications/validation (if applicable), waste streams, sterilization processes, and emergency preparedness.

Maintain safety documentation, training records, certifications, and inspection logs to ensure compliance and adherence to regulations.

Respond decisively to safety alerts, alarms, and incidents, ensuring proper resolution and reporting.



OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE, KPIs & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE 
Drives continuous improvement, performance measurement, and service quality across all facility operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Define, track, and report facility KPIs (e.g., system uptime, response time, preventive maintenance completion, project delivery, cost control).

Use data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for operational improvement.

Develop SOPs, templates, and standardized workflows to reduce variability and risk.

Ensure a consistently welcoming, responsive, and customer-centric experience for all facility users.

Champion sustainability, lifecycle planning, and long-term asset value preservation.

Expected Salary:
Commensurate with Education and Experience.
Required Qualifications:

Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and two years of appropriate experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For some positions assigned to this class, special qualifications may be added to the minimum, such as appropriate professional registration or certification.

A Valid Florida Driver’s License is required.

Preferred:

Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), or a willingness to obtain within the first 12 months of employment.

Three to five years of experience in multi-tenant, laboratory, or research facility operations.

Demonstrated success managing contractors, capital projects, and preventive maintenance programs, including biomedical and hazardous waste removal.

Familiarity with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and UF facilities processes.

Proven ability to implement process improvements and performance metrics.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
In order to be considered, applicants must provide a cover letter, resume and list of professional references.

This is not a remote work position.

A criminal background check is required.
Health Assessment Required:No

 

About the Company

U

University of Florida