Department
 

Lab School Operations

About the Department
 

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, LGBTQ+ identified candidates, candidates from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds, and candidates with a demonstrated commitment to a deepening diversity, equity, and inclusion practice. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Summary
 

Report to the Director of Operations at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Be an active member of the Operations Management Team. Responsible for the oversight and coordination of maintenance and repairs for Laboratory Schools’ buildings. Coordinate projects and repairs with Facilities Management personnel. Supervise facilities specialists and facilities support staff. Assists in project management of new Lab project construction and renovation.

Responsibilities

Supervise assigned staff.

Coordinate and prioritize all short-term and long-term maintenance work and space planning.  Have a strong focus on preventative maintenance. 

Receive requests and provide or supervise delivery of appropriate services. 

Maintain building keys, building supplies, and building asset information. 

Manage the building dock.

Assist with oversight of renovation and new construction as needed.

Assist with coordination of efforts of Lab Schools’ personnel, Facilities Management, architects and contractors.

Collaborate and coordinate building services with Lab Operations, UChicago Facilities Services, and vendors.  Be the key point of contact and forge solid relationships.

Collaborate and coordinate physical security with Lab Operations, Lab Safety and Security, and University Police.

Report problems with building systems and emergency management systems.

Assist with the oversight and maintenance of Lab Schools vehicles.

Assist in preparing budget for facilities and managing the budget for internal capital expenditures

Collaborate with academic leadership, proactively reach out to assure issues and concerns are addressed.

Document and write reports as needed.

Supervises movement of equipment and materials, maintains building security, and maintains information on building blue prints, space utilization data and equipment.

Coordinates with staff from other units and supervises the work of contractors as well as facilities union and/or non-union staff.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Degree in engineering, business, or another relevant field.

Experience:

Supervisory or lead experience.

Preferred Competencies

Supervisory skills.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

Budget management skills.

Knowledge of relevant building systems and maintenance techniques.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as blue prints, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

Analytical skills.

Decision-making skills.

Organizational skills.

Verbal and written communication skills.

Customer service skills.

Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and as part of a team.

Proficiency with computers.

Knowledge of project management software.

Negotiation skills.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Facilities Management

Role Impact
 

People Manager

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, 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.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.