Facilities Maintenance Specialist

About the department

The mission of the Animal Resources Center (ARC) is to assist investigators in performing their animal research while ensuring appropriate and humane care of all laboratory animals. The ARC manages 6 facilities and a business office. Its sections are as follows: husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, finance and administration. The unit merged with the Office of Shared Research Facilities managing all of the BSD cores on campus.

Job summary

The Facilities Maintenance Specialist role supports the maintenance, operation, and reliability of specialized equipment within the Animal Resources Center (ARC) and research facilities. Responsibilities include performing preventative maintenance, troubleshooting and repairing equipment, and coordinating with internal teams and external vendors to resolve issues efficiently. The position also supports facility projects, contractor activities, and equipment installations while helping ensure minimal disruption to research operations.

Responsibilities

• Manages preventative maintenance activities of all ARC specialized equipment in the animal facilities.
• Implements special projects/tasks as delegated.
• Participates in facilities renovations, contractor activities, and other activities performed by hired outside vendors.
• Performs on-site maintenance and emergency equipment repairs of ARC specialized equipment.
• Collaborates with Plant/Facilities Departments on some repairs.
• Assists with ARC environmental monitoring systems.
• Provides technical support for the general operations of the Animal Resources Center and Office of Shared Research Facilities.
• Maintains light fixtures, replaces bulbs, cleans supply and exhaust grilles and replaces filters.
• Un-crates, assembles, installs and otherwise prepares and maintains miscellaneous equipment (carts, housing racks, dispensers).
• Loads/unloads and transports equipment within and between facilities.
• Learns the coordination of maintenance of facilities, grounds and/or equipment.
• Receives requests for facilities services from unit employees and coordinates delivery of appropriate services.
• Utilizes specialized skills and on-the-job experience to conduct inspections of buildings, equipment and/or surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems.
• Prepares written reports summarizing findings and recommends solutions.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education and experience

• Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Preferred qualifications include a college or university degree in facilities operations/building engineering/equipment maintenance related field.
• Preferred qualifications include work experience in an academic environment and biomedical research.
• Preferred qualifications include work experience in shop equipment repair, machine tools, and welding.
• Preferred qualifications include work experience in building systems and HVAC maintenance.

Preferred competencies

• High mechanical aptitude with attention to detail and thoroughness.
• Familiarity with Building Automation Systems and commercial building infrastructure.
• Good written, verbal, and organizational skills.
• Able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal/communication skills.
• Able to effectively assess conditions and disseminate observations.
• Able to work successfully as a member of a team.
• Able to work under pressure of frequent deadlines.
• Computer knowledge and skills.

Working conditions

• The ability to push or pull objects weighing up to 100 pounds, climb a ladder, and occasionally access equipment/parts in unique or hard to reach locations.
• Availability to work on-call nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating schedule with other team members if needed.
• Occasional stooping, kneeling, and reaching.
• Requires 80% walking and standing and 20% sitting.

Application documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

Benefits

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.