School Facilities Specialist (Custodial/Maintenance)

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate 7,035 students in grades K-12 across 18 schools in Newark, Camden, and Paterson. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org .

We’re seeking a School/Campus Facilities Specialist to ensure our schools in Camden are clean, safe, and well-maintained. If you're a hands-on professional with expertise in facility maintenance, we want you on our team. This role involves daily custodial duties, maintenance management, and oversight of facility-related vendors. Your proactive approach and technical skills will make a lasting impact on the safety and comfort of our school community.

Cleaning and Maintenance

- Perform daily cleaning of all interior and exterior school spaces, following regional standards and industry best practices.
- Respond promptly to student accidents, spills, and urgent maintenance needs.
- Inspect buildings and grounds daily, addressing issues in a timely manner.
- Maintain working knowledge of building systems (heating, ventilation, grounds, etc.) to support effective maintenance planning.
- Oversee lunchroom setup, cleanup, and support for school events.
- Manage and update the work order system daily, including preventative maintenance (PM) and compliance tasks.
- Create and manage schedules for small capital and preventative maintenance projects (e.g., painting, electrical outlet installation, boiler repair, or minor interior fit-outs).
- Lead special projects related to building upkeep and improvements.

Safety and Compliance

- Schedule and coordinate all yearly inspections for facility systems (e.g., fire alarms, extinguishers, suppression systems, mechanical systems, elevators, burglar alarms).
- Maintain and ensure compliance with Life Safety systems and state/local permitting requirements.
- Act as first responder for building alarms and manage alarm resets after drills.
- Review security camera footage for facilities-related issues.
- Build and maintain relationships with inspectors, ensuring timely updates and certification renewals.

Vendor Management

- Manage all facility-related vendors, addressing escalated issues with minimal involvement from school leadership.
- Monitor the quality of work performed by contracted cleaning services.
- Support the Director of School Operations with vendor quoting, contract review, and invoice processing.
- Coordinate deliveries of school supplies and equipment.
- Oversee and ensure timely processing of facility-related vendor payments.
- Support region-wide vendor relationships to ensure consistency and quality.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above essential duties and responsibilities.

Requirements

Black Seal (low pressure) Boiler License (highly preferred); 2+ years of experience in custodial, maintenance or facilities management, preferably in a school setting.; Availability to handle school emergencies 24/7.; Ability to lift, bend, and pull more than 50 pounds.; Proficiency with power tools, facility-related equipment, and general carpentry/handyman work (e.g., repairing/replacing door hardware).; In-depth knowledge of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems.; Experience using work order systems (preferred); Bilingual proficiency in Spanish (preferred); OSHA 30 certification (preferred)