Facilities Apprentice

Location: Washington, Virginia – a picturesque town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 30 minutes from Culpeper, Front Royal, and Warrenton; 40 minutes from Gainesville and Stephens City; just over an hour from Reston, Loudoun County, and Washington, DC.

Summary

The Facilities Apprentice is an entry‑level position designed to develop future Engineering professionals through a structured 24‑month training program. Working alongside experienced technicians, apprentices receive hands‑on instruction while serving as the primary Engineering support for guest accommodations. The role focuses on guest‑room readiness, preventative maintenance, and exceptional guest service, partnering closely with Front Office and Housekeeping teams to uphold Forbes Five‑Star standards.

Core Responsibilities

• Guest Room Excellence (45 %) – Perform daily guest‑room inspections (including VIP and CIP rooms), complete minor repairs in occupied and vacant rooms, repair doors, locks, furniture, millwork, case goods, replace lighting, switches, outlets, thermostats, and plumbing fixtures, conduct preventative maintenance, assist with room refresh and renovation projects, and ensure rooms meet Forbes Five‑Star presentation standards.
• Guest Service Response (25 %) – Respond promptly to guest maintenance requests, troubleshoot HVAC, televisions, internet, lighting, and plumbing issues, communicate professionally with guests while minimizing disruption, partner with Front Desk and Housekeeping to return rooms to service quickly, and document all work using HotSOS.
• Engineering Operations (15 %) – Assist Maintenance Technicians with property‑wide repairs, perform daily mechanical‑room and equipment inspections, learn building automation and energy‑management systems, assist with water treatment, pools, spas, and seasonal operations, and support event setup, breakdown, and venue preparation for weddings and private functions.
• Professional Development (15 %) – Complete structured rotations through HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, Commercial Kitchen Equipment, Laundry Equipment, Pools & Spas, Fire & Life Safety, Building Automation Systems, Preventative Maintenance Planning, and Luxury Hospitality Standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn
• Customer service or hospitality experience
• Trade school or vocational coursework (preferred)
• Valid driver’s license
• No previous hotel maintenance experience required

Career Development

The Facilities Apprentice program is designed to build long‑term careers within the Engineering Department. Advancement is based on demonstrated competency, performance, and departmental needs.

Typical progression:

• Facilities Apprentice → Maintenance Technician I → Maintenance Technician II → Engineering Specialist or Engineering Supervisor → Assistant Director of Engineering → Director of Engineering

24‑Month Development Plan

• Quarter 1: Safety procedures, tool identification, HotSOS work‑order management, guest interaction, basic plumbing repairs, guest‑room inspections.
• Quarter 2: Electrical fundamentals, door hardware and lock repair, furniture and millwork repair, caulking and finish work.
• Quarter 3: HVAC fundamentals, PTAC and mini‑split maintenance, thermostats and controls, indoor air quality.
• Quarter 4: Drywall, painting, tile repair, finish carpentry, preventative‑maintenance procedures.
• Year 2: Advanced training in boilers, pumps, BAS controls, refrigeration, energy management, commercial kitchen equipment, preventative‑maintenance planning, leadership, and project planning.

Performance Expectations

• Independently complete guest‑room inspections and repairs.
• Prepare VIP and CIP rooms to luxury‑hospitality standards.
• Resolve most guest‑room maintenance requests without supervision.
• Safely use common tools and diagnostic equipment.
• Accurately document work using HotSOS.
• Demonstrate professionalism while working in guest‑facing environments.

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental insurance (full‑time employees)
• Paid time off (full‑time employees)
• 401(k) retirement plan with match
• On‑the‑job training
• Employee education allowance
• Advancement potential
• Flexible schedules
• Employee appreciation events
• Complimentary uniforms and meals
• Referral bonuses
• Competitive pay