Facilities and Projects Manager in Miami, Florida at Ocaquatics Swim School

The Facilities and Projects Manager is responsible for helping ensure that all Ocaquatics Swim School locations are safe, clean, welcoming, efficient, and well maintained for our team members, families, and community.

This is a working manager role. The Facilities and Projects Manager leads the maintenance and custodial team while also personally performing hands-on repairs, maintenance, troubleshooting, and urgent facility support when needed.

This role requires strong technical ability, excellent organization, clear communication, full bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, strong relationships with the team, and consistent follow-through. The Facilities and Projects Manager must be able to manage day-to-day facility needs while also organizing and completing larger projects across all five Ocaquatics locations.

Depending on the candidate’s experience and readiness, this position may begin as a Facilities and Projects Manager in Training role before progressing to the full Facilities and Projects Manager title.

Purpose of the Role

The purpose of this position is to support Ocaquatics’ mission by protecting and improving the physical spaces where our team members work and where families trust us to teach their children.

This role makes a positive difference by:

• Creating safe, clean, and well-maintained facilities
• Supporting team members so they can focus on serving families
• Responding quickly and professionally to facility needs
• Managing projects that improve our locations
• Caring for equipment, buildings, pools, and resources responsibly
• Helping Ocaquatics live its commitment to people and the planet

Reporting Relationship

The Facilities and Projects Manager reports to the Operations Manager.

Locations Supported

This position supports all Ocaquatics Swim School locations and requires reliable transportation between locations. A company vehicle may be provided.

Team Leadership Responsibilities

The Facilities and Projects Manager directly supervises the maintenance and custodial team. Responsibilities include:

• Build strong, trusting relationships with maintenance and custodial team members
• Lead with humility, professionalism, and a servant-leadership mindset
• Support, coach, mentor, and develop direct reports
• Help hire, train, schedule, and evaluate maintenance and custodial team members
• Communicate clear expectations for quality, safety, cleanliness, and accountability
• Delegate work appropriately and follow up consistently
• Hold team members accountable in a respectful and effective way
• Address performance concerns directly and promptly
• Recognize strong performance and encourage team growth
• Plan and lead maintenance and custodial team meetings as needed
• Help ensure appropriate staffing while avoiding unnecessary payroll costs
• Support a No Drama Workplace by focusing on solutions, clarity, teamwork, and respectful communication
• Be prepared to cover shifts in emergency team shortages

Facilities and Maintenance Responsibilities

The Facilities and Projects Manager is responsible for the ongoing condition, safety, cleanliness, and readiness of all Ocaquatics facilities. Responsibilities include:

• Oversee regular maintenance of all locations
• Personally perform hands-on repairs and maintenance when appropriate
• Troubleshoot facility and equipment issues
• Maintain safe, clean, organized, and welcoming facilities
• Respond to urgent maintenance needs
• Oversee pool systems and aquatic facility equipment
• Support maintenance of pumps, heaters, filters, HVAC systems, dehumidification systems, plumbing, electrical systems, and general facility equipment
• Ensure maintenance tasks are completed properly and on time
• Develop and improve preventive maintenance systems
• Track recurring maintenance needs and identify patterns
• Ensure custodial standards are consistently met
• Coordinate larger maintenance periods and facility improvement work
• Help locations remain operational, efficient, and prepared to serve families

Project Management Responsibilities

The Facilities and Projects Manager is responsible for organizing and managing facility-related projects across all locations. Responsibilities include:

• Manage repair, replacement, renovation, and improvement projects
• Prioritize projects based on safety, urgency, business impact, cost, and team needs
• Create and maintain clear project lists, timelines, and follow-up systems
• Coordinate vendors, contractors, inspections, and permits when needed
• Track project status and communicate updates clearly
• Follow through on open items until completion
• Manage multiple projects across multiple locations at the same time
• Anticipate obstacles and communicate early when support or decisions are needed
• Ensure projects are completed with quality, accountability, and minimal disruption to operations

Vendor, Budget, and Asset Responsibilities

The Facilities and Projects Manager works with outside vendors and helps manage facility-related costs responsibly. Responsibilities include:

• Work with outside vendors and contractors for facility issues
• Request, review, and track proposals, bids, invoices, and project estimates
• Communicate clearly with vendors about expectations, timelines, and quality standards
• Help ensure work is completed properly before invoices are approved
• Work within budgetary expectations
• Identify cost-effective solutions without compromising safety or quality
• Create and maintain an asset tracking system
• Help plan for equipment repair, replacement, and future purchases
• Maintain a wish list or replacement plan for future facility needs
• Support responsible purchasing and long-term equipment care
• Consider energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and environmental responsibility when making facility decisions

Safety and Risk Management Responsibilities

Safety is one of Ocaquatics’ core values and is a primary responsibility of this role. Responsibilities include:

• Maintain safe facilities for families, students, team members, and visitors
• Identify and correct hazards promptly
• Conduct regular walk-throughs of each facility
• Respond quickly to safety concerns
• Understand and reduce potential liability risks
• Enforce safety expectations related to facilities and maintenance
• Ensure equipment and facility systems are properly maintained
• Be prepared to respond calmly and properly during emergencies
• Serve as an Aquatic Facility Operator or oversee AFO/CPO-level facility standards
• Help ensure certified team members are properly trained and supported
• Manage facility security needs, including keys, access, opening procedures, and closing procedures

Communication and Accountability Expectations

The Facilities and Projects Manager must communicate clearly, professionally, and consistently. Responsibilities include:

• Communicate regularly with the Operations Manager
• Provide weekly updates, reports, or communication logs as requested
• Read all other weekly Leadership reports and respond to pertaining reports
• Communicate facility concerns, project status, and urgent needs clearly
• Work directly with location managers, regional leaders, the operations team, and support team members
• Listen actively to concerns and seek practical solutions
• Follow through on commitments
• Communicate early when deadlines, budgets, or expectations may not be met
• Take ownership of mistakes and help solve problems without blame
• Maintain professionalism when handling urgent, stressful, or unexpected situations
• Model the OWN IT Mindset by operating with purpose, welcoming growth, navigating challenges with courage, investing in people, and transforming together

Leadership Development Expectations

• Managers must attend monthly Leadership Lunch and Learns. Managers may only miss 1 per year.

Hospitality and Culture Expectations

At Ocaquatics, hospitality applies to every role, including facilities leadership. The Facilities and Projects Manager is expected to:

• Treat team members as our first customers
• Build positive relationships with team members, families, vendors, and visitors
• Greet others warmly and professionally
• Model service-oriented behavior
• Bring positive energy to interactions
• Fix issues proactively when they are noticed
• Support a culture of teamwork, respect, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Demonstrate Ocaquatics’ core values: Safety Focused, Service Oriented, Team Players, Fun and Friendly, Purpose Driven, and Always Learning

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Full bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, including the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with team members, families, vendors, and leaders in both languages
• Strong leadership and relationship-building skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple locations
• Ability to work independently without constant direction
• Ability to delegate and follow up effectively
• Ability to coach, mentor, and hold others accountable
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting ability
• Good judgment about when to personally complete work and when to involve a vendor
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work respectfully with team members, families, vendors, and managers
• Willingness to continue learning new systems, tools, and procedures
• Commitment to safety, quality, service, teamwork, and Ocaquatics’ purpose

Technical Experience and Certifications

Required or strongly preferred experience includes:

• General facility maintenance
• Pool systems and aquatic facility operations
• Pumps, filters, heaters, and related pool equipment
• HVAC and dehumidification systems
• Basic plumbing
• Basic electrical troubleshooting
• General repairs and maintenance
• Vendor coordination
• Project management
• Preventive maintenance systems
• Custodial operations and cleanliness standards
• AFO, CPO, or similar aquatic facility certification, or willingness and ability to obtain certification

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This role requires the ability to perform hands-on facility and maintenance work. The Facilities and Projects Manager must be able to:

• Travel between all Ocaquatics locations
• Walk, stand, bend, reach, climb, kneel, and work in maintenance areas
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted, and push, pull, or move heavier equipment or supplies with appropriate assistance or equipment
• Use basic tools and maintenance equipment safely
• Work around pools, pool equipment, chemicals, mechanical rooms, and wet environments
• Work indoors and outdoors
• Climb ladders when needed
• Respond to urgent facility needs
• Perform work that may occasionally be physically demanding
• Follow safety procedures at all times

After-Hours and Emergency Expectations

This role may require availability outside normal working hours when urgent facility, safety, security, or operational needs arise. The Facilities and Projects Manager is expected to:

• Respond to after-hours emergencies when needed
• Help determine whether an issue can wait or requires immediate action
• Coordinate emergency vendors or repairs when necessary
• Communicate urgent issues clearly to the Operations Manager and affected location leaders
• Support business continuity and safety during unexpected facility issues

Winter Break Work Requirements

• The December 23 – January 2 winter break period is a required work period for this position. All Ocaquatics locations are closed during this time, making it the primary period for facility projects, maintenance work, and location improvements across all sites. The Facilities and Projects Manager is expected to be available and present throughout this period.

Time off requests will not be approved for any dates between December 23 and January 2.

Days worked during this period will be allocated as PTO to be used at a later date, subject to Ocaquatics' standard PTO policies. PTO will be allocated at an equivalent rate of hours worked, up to 8 hours per day.

Ocaquatics typically develops managers from within the company whenever possible. Candidates who are interested in the Facilities and Projects Manager position may first be considered for a Facilities and Projects Manager in Training pathway before being granted the full Facilities and Projects Manager title.

The Manager in Training process is a learner-controlled development process that may take approximately 90 days to 12 months, depending on the candidate’s prior experience, current skill level, leadership readiness, technical knowledge, and training needs.

During the Manager in Training process, the candidate will work on developing the leadership, technical, communication, project management, and accountability skills required for the full Facilities and Projects Manager role. Progression through the program is based on demonstrated competency, consistent follow-through, strong relationships with the team, alignment with Ocaquatics’ core values, and readiness to fully lead the maintenance and custodial function across all locations.

Completion of the Manager in Training process does not depend only on time in the role. The full Facilities and Projects Manager title is granted when Ocaquatics determines that the candidate has demonstrated the judgment, skills, leadership, accountability, and independence needed to successfully perform the full responsibilities of the position.

During the first 90 days, success in this role will be measured by the candidate’s ability to:

• Build trust and positive working relationships with the maintenance and custodial team
• Build effective relationships with location managers and operations leaders
• Learn the facility needs, equipment, systems, and priorities of each location
• Demonstrate hands-on competence in maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs
• Organize existing projects and open facility issues
• Create clear systems for tracking priorities, follow-up, and completion
• Demonstrate strong adherence to Ocaquatics’ core values
• Communicate consistently and professionally in both English and Spanish
• Show accountability, reliability, and good judgment
• Begin strengthening team expectations around quality, safety, cleanliness, and follow-through

During the first year, success in this role will be measured by the candidate’s ability to:

• Lead a strong, accountable, and service-oriented maintenance and custodial team
• Maintain safe, clean, reliable, and welcoming facilities across all locations
• Build a consistent preventive maintenance system
• Improve project tracking and completion across all locations
• Strengthen vendor relationships and cost control
• Improve asset tracking and equipment replacement planning
• Communicate clearly with the Operations Manager and location leaders
• Reduce recurring facility problems through planning and accountability
• Demonstrate the OWN IT Mindset in daily leadership and decision-making

• You enjoy serving the team and understand that team members are our first customers
• You build strong relationships and lead through trust
• You are comfortable being both a hands-on problem solver and a people leader
• You are fully bilingual in English and Spanish and can communicate comfortably in both languages
• You take ownership without blame or drama
• You communicate clearly and follow through consistently
• You can organize many projects across several locations
• You can balance urgent repairs with long-term planning
• You care about safety, cleanliness, quality, service, sustainability, and team development
• You stay calm and professional when priorities change
• You enjoy learning and improving systems
• You want to help Ocaquatics continue making a positive difference

• You want only an office-based management role
• You do not want to perform hands-on repairs or maintenance
• You are not fully bilingual in English and Spanish
• You prefer to work independently without building strong relationships
• You struggle to communicate clearly or follow up consistently
• You become reactive or frustrated when priorities change
• You are uncomfortable holding others accountable
• You do not enjoy managing multiple projects at the same time
• You have difficulty working across multiple locations
• You do not want to be available for urgent or after-hours facility issues
• You do not strongly value safety, service, teamwork, and accountability

Candidates should honestly consider the following questions before applying or expressing interest:

• Do I enjoy both leading people and doing hands-on work?
• Can I build strong relationships with team members while also holding them accountable?
• Am I comfortable managing multiple projects across multiple locations?
• Do I have the technical knowledge needed to troubleshoot facility, pool, and equipment issues?
• Am I fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and can I communicate professionally in both languages?
• Am I willing to keep learning in areas where I need to grow?
• Can I stay calm and professional during urgent facility problems?
• Do I communicate early and clearly when I need help or when something is off track?
• Do I take ownership of my decisions and follow through on commitments?
• Do I model Ocaquatics’ core values in how I work with others?
• Am I ready for a role that requires leadership, technical skill, organization, accountability, and service?

Agreement and Acknowledgment

• I understand the purpose, responsibilities, and expectations of the Facilities and Projects Manager position.
• I understand that this is a working manager role that requires both leadership and hands-on facility work.
• I understand that this role requires full bilingual fluency in English and Spanish.
• I understand that I am expected to model Ocaquatics’ core values, support our purpose and mission, and contribute to a positive, service-oriented, safety-focused, and accountable team culture.
• I understand that this position description is not intended to list every responsibility and that duties may change based on the needs of Ocaquatics Swim School.
• I agree to ask for guidance when I need support, training, or clarification.
• I agree to follow Ocaquatics Swim School policies, procedures, safety expectations, confidentiality expectations, and team standards.

Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure Clause: I understand that team members are not to divulge any company, co-worker, or clientele information to outsiders without the approval from management. We protect our confidential business information and proprietary information. Office, teaching, and training materials are protected by copyright. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to:

• Policies and Procedures
• Swimming Lesson Curriculum and Lesson Plans
• Training Program
• Customer Lists and Information
• Team member Files and Information
• Team member Handbook
• Teacher Training Manuals and E-Learning

Because we consider security breaches very serious, if you improperly use or disclose confidential business info you will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment and legal action.

• I understand that photos and videos are taken at Ocaquatics facilities and that any photo may be used for internal marketing to our families (e-newsletters, announcement TV, social media, etc.) I understand that Ocaquatics may use my photo for outside publicity purposes (car wrap, postcards, advertisements, etc).

If you agree with all the terms of this job description you can proceed to fill out the application.

Education & Certification

• AFO (Aquatic Facility Operator), CPO (Certified Pool Operator), or similar aquatic facility certification, or willingness and ability to obtain it
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation

Experience

• Proven experience in facility maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting
• Experience with pool systems and aquatic facility operations
• Experience with pumps, filters, heaters, HVAC, and dehumidification systems
• Experience with basic plumbing and electrical troubleshooting
• Experience coordinating vendors and contractors
• Experience managing projects across multiple locations
• Experience leading, supervising, or managing a team

Language

• Full bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (spoken and written) is required

Skills & Abilities

• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously across multiple locations
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting ability
• Ability to delegate, follow up, and hold others accountable
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish
• Ability to work independently without constant supervision
• Ability to remain calm under pressure

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted
• Ability to walk, stand, bend, reach, climb, and kneel
• Ability to work in wet environments, around pool chemicals, and in mechanical rooms
• Ability to climb ladders and use basic tools and maintenance equipment safely

Availability

• Must be available for after-hours and emergency calls when needed
• Must be available to work the December 23 – January 2 winter break period without exception