The Division of Safety and Facilities aims to provide a safe and secure campus environment for all members of the university community through best-in-class technological and physical infrastructure, proactive assessment and analysis, and a caring team of professionals dedicated to upholding the university’s values with the highest level of care.
Reporting to the Director, Campus Building Services, the Assistant Director leads facilities maintenance operations at GW’s Foggy Bottom Campus. The Assistant Director is responsible for day-to-day planning, organizing, and supervising building operations functions for the operation and maintenance of campus buildings in their assigned zone.
Our maintenance team includes electricians, carpenters, painters, plumbers, and signshop technicians.
Facilities Maintenance
- Oversee and coordinate routine, preventative, predictive, and emergency maintenance across assigned campus buildings.
- Develop, implement, and monitor maintenance plans and schedules; evaluate work-order metrics and adjust staffing and frequencies to meet service-level objectives.
- Lead troubleshooting and technical assessments for complex building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, life-safety systems) to ensure continuity of academic, research, residential, and administrative operations.
- Manage vendor and contractor performance for maintenance, repair, and renovation projects; review invoices and authorize payments in accordance with university procedures.
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and recommendations on building conditions, maintenance activities, and budget performance.
Sign Shop
- Supervise the campus Sign Shop operations, ensuring timely production, installation, and maintenance of interior and exterior signage consistent with university branding and
- accessibility standards.
- Coordinate sign requests with campus stakeholders, Facilities Planning, and Design teams; develop cost-effective solutions for wayfinding, event signage, and regulatory signage.
- Oversee inventory, equipment maintenance, and safety protocols for sign fabrication and installation activities.
- Implement quality-control processes and training for Sign Shop staff to ensure compliance with materials, finishes, and installation standards.
Athletic Facilities
- Direct maintenance and operations for athletic facilities within the assigned zone, including courts, fields, locker rooms, and support spaces.
- Ensure athletic venues meet safety, accessibility, and performance standards for practices, competitions, and public events.
- Coordinate logistics for athletic events—facility setup, after-hours access, custodial and AV support, and vendor services—to deliver a positive experience for teams, spectators, and campus partners.
- Collaborate with Athletics, Event Services, and Campus Safety on emergency response plans, seasonal maintenance, and capital improvements for athletic assets.
Leadership, Staff Development, and Compliance
- Supervise Zone Managers and trades staff (electricians, carpenters, painters, HVAC technicians, locksmiths, plumbers); conduct performance management, training, and workforce planning.
- Promote a culture of safety and compliance with industry standards and university policies; implement injury and illness prevention practices.
- Participate in Design and Construction Standards reviews; recommend building system specifications for new construction, renovations, and repairs.
- Serve as a point of contact for building occupants; lead customer-focused service delivery and continuous improvement initiatives.
Budgeting and Planning
- Develop and manage the zone operating budget; monitor expenditures and recommend resource allocations to support operational priorities and sustainability goals.
- Prepare reports and analyses to inform strategic provisioning of internal resources and contracted services.
This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative and not exhaustive, and the university reserves the right to assign additional duties as necessary to meet operational needs.