Facilities Manager

Position Title: Facilities Manager

Department: Memorial Union

Advertised Pay: Base $22.21/hour with potential for a higher entry rate commensurate with experience

Campus Location: Washburn University

Application Deadline:  Application review will begin as applications are received and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants can be assured of full consideration if submitted by May 21, 2026.

Position Summary: The Facilities Manager oversees daily operations, ensuring facilities are safe, functional, and ready for various events by managing maintenance, staff, vendors, inventory, budgets, and client needs, handling everything from minor repairs and cleaning to coordinating event setups and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Maintains equipment, including but not limited to cleaning, audiovisual, furniture, and mechanical systems, while serving as the central point of contact for smooth event execution and long-term, efficient, and cost-effective facility operations and improvements.

About Washburn University: Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of just over 7,000 students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.

Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.

Essential Functions:
• Manages the day-to-day custodial operations and maintenance of the facilities managed by the Memorial Union.
• Plan, direct, schedule, and supervise all event and facility setup, tear-down, and clean-up for activities that take place in the facilities to ensure all is in order before and after events.
• Inspect facilities regularly to identify needed repairs, maintenance, and cleanliness issues. Work with Facilities Services to schedule repairs using the computerized work order system and direct staff to maintain cleanliness standards for buildings' appearance, utility, and safety.
• Make recommendations to the Director for innovations, changes, and procurement of new/replacement equipment, furniture, and decorations to initiate facility updates. Work with students, staff, and customers to generate and implement ideas that improve the quality of cleanliness and customer service provided.
• Inspect custodial closets to ensure appropriate quantities of supplies and materials are on hand and stored properly. Order replacement materials through the website program to ensure custodial staff have the resources they need to complete assigned tasks.
• Inventory and inspect custodial equipment to ensure the equipment is in good condition and correctly stored. Evaluate new and/or different products to identify more cost-effective and efficient materials, gathering input from others if available. Ensure Biohazard and Safety Data Sheets (SOS) reference books or logs are up to date and available.
• Supervise, support, and manage assigned staff to maximize employee performance and facilitate professional growth. Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and evaluate staff performance and effectiveness.
• Provide appropriate feedback and professional development opportunities. Discuss corrective actions to improve staff performance with the Director. Support the Director's established performance standards and train workers to perform their duties accordingly. Complete reviews for custodial staff and student employees according to University policies and procedures. Work with the Director to initiate recruitment as positions become vacant. Recommend hire, discipline, and other personnel-related actions to the Director to address and resolve personnel issues.
• Work to maintain a healthy work environment by promoting teamwork and collaboration. Actively promotes a professional workplace of mutual respect and collegiality for all members of the institution, and works to build positive, cooperative relationships with all staff, encouraging them to work toward individual and departmental goals.
• Plan, organize, schedule, and direct the work of custodians and student employees assigned to supervise. Monitor work in progress to ensure the timely and appropriate completion of room setups, custodial, and other assigned tasks. Observe staff's work to ensure University and building policies/procedures are followed and that safety measures are observed.
• Optimize the use of facility space and custodial staff for all events.
• Supporting AV setup when specialized staff are not available.
• Responsible for providing effective communication to the campus community and guests of the University regularly to address and resolve issues related to building usage or related matters.
• Identify and develop, demonstrate, or procure training (one-on-one or group) for custodial staff and student employees to:
• Help staff perform cleaning duties and room-set-ups effectively, efficiently, and safely with emphasis on appropriate techniques for lifting and moving to prevent injury.
• Proper use of chemicals and equipment to ensure standards for cleanliness and safety are met, and Department and University policies/procedures, for cleaning methods and practices are followed.
• Correct performance of new duties or modified methods, to ensure all tasks are completed according to standards for appearance and safety.
• Positive customer service approach and interaction.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.

Non-Essential Functions:
• Assisting with general office duties (filing, data entry, answering phones).
• Preparing routine reports that are not time-sensitive.
• Maintaining internal documentation templates.
• Taking photos or videos of event setups for training documentation.
• Coordinating audio/visual options with clients and University Scheduling.
• Assisting other departments during non-peak times.
• Participating in committees or internal initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of experience in facilities/event management or custodial work with at least two years of custodial experience.
• Ability to use computer software, including Microsoft products.
• Ability to interpret room diagrams, direct room setups based on diagrams, or the ability to learn this skill within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to connect audiovisual event setup.
• Demonstrated effective communication skills.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record by Washburn's standards.

Physical Requirements:
• Ability to use correct lifting/moving techniques, to reach/lift equipment above shoulders repetitively, and maneuver materials/equipment weighing as much as 60 pounds without assistance.
• Capacity to work from ladders and hydraulic lift platforms as high as 30 feet.
• Willingness to work an adjusted schedule as required during weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications:
• One year of experience supervising custodial staff.
• Experience with conference/hotel venue setups and tear-downs.
• Experience in troubleshooting and resolving issues with audiovisual, computer and telecommunications equipment.
• Work experience in higher education.

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

Exempt, Full-time, Mon-Fri 
Background check and driving history are required.