Building Operations Director, ACRC

Location: ACRC, 901 E. Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21202

Schedule: Full-time, on-site, 5 days a week. This position monitors and responds to 24/7 off-hour alarms and emergencies.

About the Role

The National Aquarium is seeking a Building Operations Director for the Animal Care and Rescue Center (ACRC). This role is accountable for facility infrastructure, grounds, maintenance, and operations policies, including waste management, pest control, access and parking, chemical storage, Aquarium fleet management, and shipping/receiving. The director has authority to prioritize and perform facility work, direct contractors and vendors, make immediate operational decisions to protect people, animals, infrastructure, and continuity of operations, and initiate emergency responses when necessary.

The ACRC building houses quarantine, food prep, veterinary care, exhibit fabrication, aquatic and bird animal holding, warehouse storage, public tour and education spaces, staff offices, and life support systems. This position collaborates with Animal Care, Conservation, Rescue, Life Support, Planning and Design, Safety & Security, and Facilities staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee facility infrastructure operations, planning, project completion, preventative maintenance, and overall operational decisions for the ACRC.
• Administer the ACRC Asset Essentials program, including asset inventory, equipment lifecycle tracking, work order management, preventative and deferred maintenance tracking, long-term planning, reporting, and spare parts inventory.
• Perform and document building rounds for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life support, and structural assessments.
• Plan and execute mechanical, life support, and plumbing repairs and maintenance; contract and oversee vendors as needed.
• Manage assigned ACRC capital, repair, and facility improvement projects, including scope development, budgeting, procurement, contractor coordination, scheduling, commissioning, and project closeout.
• Coordinate ACRC life support system operations and maintenance in partnership with Environmental Quality & Facilities and Animal Care & Welfare leadership.
• Operate, maintain, and respond to emergencies for ACRC life support system equipment within institutional standards and protocols.
• Monitor and assess 24/7 remote alarms for life support and mechanical systems critical to animal and building equipment; coordinate responses with ACRC animal care staff and main aquarium teams.
• Track and oversee ACRC budgets, including annual and capital budgets, forecasting, invoice tracking, and contract execution with vendors.
• Ensure safety protocols and compliance for ACRC staff and operations, including OSHA, EPA, lockout/tagout, HAZMAT, chemical hygiene, and necessary inspections.
• Manage institutional fleet of Aquarium vehicles, including emissions testing, registration, and other transportation regulatory requirements.
• Create, implement, and manage building contracts and policies for access, pest control, safety, parking, emergency response, and public tour protocols.
• Serve as primary 24/7 point of contact for emergency incidents related to the ACRC facility, including power outages, flooding, weather events, and other emergencies.
• Act as liaison for ACRC staff (animal care, conservation, rescue, planning and design) during institutional incident response as part of the incident management team.
• Coordinate closely with animal care, conservation, fabrication, security, rescue staff, and other building occupants to optimize facility operations for animal housing and public tours.
• Plan and execute training for ACRC staff in plumbing, life support, safety, and equipment operation (e.g., forklift, lift).
• Coordinate intra-campus mail and package deliveries; communicate with delivery companies.
• Support the Aquarium’s mission and adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Eight years of facilities maintenance or life support management experience preferred; supervisory or personnel management experience required.
• Strong communication and organization skills, with demonstrated experience working across diverse work groups.
• Experience leading complex facility operations and supervising staff and contractors.
• Proven ability to manage asset tracking systems, budgets, and create effective building operations protocols.
• Experience managing operations and capital budgets.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a 24/7 critical operating environment.
• Excellent working knowledge of building operations and maintenance of mechanical, plumbing, and/or life support system equipment.
• Practical skills in instrumentation and electronics related to aquarium systems.
• Proven understanding of mechanical and electrical safety best practices.
• Must pass DOT physical requirements and drive National Aquarium vehicles according to the Insured Driver Policy; valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to perform hands-on repairs, climb stairs and ladders, detect visual and audible alarms, detect odors, and work in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Demonstrated ability to uphold workplace safety standards in industrial settings and around open water.

Benefits

• Salary range: $71,000–$92,399 annually.
• Up to four weeks of paid family leave.
• Health care eligibility (single and family) after 30 days of full-time work.
• Conservation day leave.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.

About The National Aquarium

Established in 1981, the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet. The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Aquarium exceeds industry standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.

More than 1.2 million people visit the Aquarium annually to experience immersive exhibits. The organization reaches broader audiences through science-based education programs and hands-on field conservation work. The National Aquarium is one of the top three aquariums in the U.S. and the largest paid cultural attraction in Maryland.

The Aquarium’s mission—to connect people with nature to inspire compassion and care for our ocean planet—extends beyond its buildings through habitat restoration, animal rescue, and sustainable business practices. Conservation work is guided by three goals: combating climate change, saving wildlife and habitats, and stopping plastic pollution.