Maintenance Specialist at Kalamazoo Public Library – Kalamazoo, Michigan

Position Summary: Responsible for performing a broad spectrum of facilities maintenance functions to ensure the operating excellence and safety of library facilities and grounds under the direct supervision of the Head of Facilities Management. Duties to include general maintenance, stocking and inventory control, maintenance of HVAC equipment, furniture and equipment repair, operation of the building automation systems, and crew leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Serves as first point of contact for all routine maintenance needs and ensures duties are covered when assignments require off-site work.
2. Performs building and grounds maintenance work: maintains parking lots, sidewalks, and building entrances; removes snow; mows grass; checks exterior lighting; repairs plumbing fixtures; assembles and moves furniture, maintains equipment; performs carpentry, patching and painting tasks; troubleshoots electrical problems.
3. Maintains HVAC equipment including planned maintenance, electro-mechanical troubleshooting, regulatory compliance and operates building automation system.
4. Performs assigned work order requests according to priority, maintains accurate and timely status entries.
5. Takes responsibility and initiative to respond to typical FM needs, emergency situations, and life-safety alarms using established procedures and good judgment.
6. Operates security systems and lighting; checks temperatures and other building conditions before opening.
7. Maintains vendor relationships with mechanical contractors.
8. Performs branch deliveries on an as needed basis.
9. Participates in departmental meetings, library-wide committees, and training opportunities.
10. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Professional Competencies:

Job Specific Knowledge and Skill: Acquires and applies knowledge, skills and experience to accomplish results.

• Possesses functional knowledge of all KPL building automation systems.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge of HVAC system function.
• Demonstrates the ability to safely move, setup, arrange and/or remove furniture or other large items, either manually or using hand truck.
• Demonstrates familiarity with facility layout, power boxes and switches, plumbing cut-off valves, alarms, etc.
• Demonstrates understanding of facility safety procedures and security measures.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to operate industry specific power equipment such as buffers, mowers, industrial wet/dry vacuums, polishers, etc.
• Demonstrates proper techniques used to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways and parking areas using snowplow, snow blower, shovel and snow melting chemicals.
• Demonstrates knowledge of all applicable industry regulations.
• Demonstrates OSHA 30 knowledge relevant to construction or general industry.
• Demonstrates ability to effectively troubleshoot electromechanical problems, and good judgement as to when a problem needs to be escalated to a licensed trade worker.
• Ability to read and understand building drawings, and basic knowledge of electrical schematics.

Technology skills: Demonstrates up-to-date computer and technology skills necessary for effective communications, completion of job responsibilities and provision of quality customer service.

• Basic understanding of programmable logic, and comfort with learning new programmable devices.
• Ability to operate electrical multimeter, ballast tester, flammable gas detector and other industry specific testing equipment.

Safety: Adheres to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards and practices.

• Notifies department head of any unsafe working conditions or practices.
• Requests tools, protective equipment, or training necessary to perform work tasks safely.
• Takes responsibility for own safety on the job.

Attendance/Punctuality: Demonstrates reliability by consistently arriving to work, meetings and appointments on time. Adjusts schedule and remains flexible to meet changing work needs and demands.

Organizational Support/Ethics: Contributes to the improvement and success of the library system.

Customer Service: Demonstrates strong internal service orientation. Represents the department positively and professionally when dealing with internal customers.

Creativity/Innovation: Looks for opportunities to apply new and evolving ideas, methods, design and technologies.

Quality: Provides high quality services, processes, and programs while consistently seeking ways to improve outcomes and enhance services.

Communication skills: Conveys ideas and facts using language appropriate to the audience and situation.

Accountability: Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work, and achieves results with little oversight.

Flexibility/Adaptability: Performs a wide range of tasks, responds to change in directions and priorities, and accepts new challenges, responsibilities and assignments.

Professional development: Pursues professional development and continuing education opportunities throughout career.

Leadership: Sets and models high performance standards characterized by integrity; earns trust and respect of others by coaching, inspiring and empowering teams of people to achieve departmental objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Prior successful building maintenance experience.
2. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office programs with general knowledge of electronic file management and prior experience with CMMS systems.
3. Demonstrated ability to operate basic programmable devices.
4. Successful completion of mechanical aptitude test.
5. Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot electromechanical problems.
6. Ability to acquire and maintain Michigan chauffeurs license

Physical demands and work environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently within the office and patron areas of the library and in the communities served. In the work environments described below, The position requires effective communication and exchange of information with others, constant repositioning of self to access building spaces both in public and office areas. Lifting/moving objects up to 50 pounds regularly and 100 pounds occasionally as part of team lift. Performing work while standing on both step and extension ladders, and climbing vertically mounted ladders required. Working at heights above 8 feet. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
• Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, library spaces, and in the communities served. Some local travel outside the library is required. While performing the duties of this job outside of the library environment, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.