DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES AND LAND MANAGEMENT

Position Overview:  

The Director of Facilities stewards the 12.5-acre property of The Little School with a commitment to environmental sustainability, safety and proactive maintenance. The Director contributes to developing and implementing resource management strategies that minimize the campus’ impact on the environment and deepens the school’s commitment to environmental justice. The Director is responsible for the maintenance and management of the school’s buildings and grounds. This includes the planning and scheduling of preventative maintenance work with outside vendors for all building systems. The Director manages a budget for the cost of repairs, scheduled maintenance, utilities, and supplies. The Director also works with the school’s Director of Finance and Operations to manage and plan the short- and long-term capital needs and budget for the school. 

Responsibilities Include: 

Maintenance Oversight 

• Continuous inspection of the buildings and grounds to determine the preventative maintenance required to maintain the health, safety, and appearance of campus. 
• Schedule, perform, and monitor regular preventative maintenance on all building systems, including: MEP, HVAC, roofs, finishes, security, fire, and other equipment.
• Organize, schedule, and supervise all maintenance, repair, and major addition projects, with sensitivity to school seasonal and operational needs.
• Coordinate landscape maintenance. 

Campus Planning, Budgeting and Stewardship 

• Implement annual audit of facilities and related systems and maintain a 10-year capital budget replacement list.   
• Prepare an annual update in conjunction with the school's annual expense and capital budgeting process. 
• Monitor facility operations to keep them as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible, including recycling, composting, utilities, and using energy efficient products. 
• Oversee stewardship, health, safety and management of forest.  
• Partner with Environmental Education Program to support curriculum and teaching spaces including the garden, orchard, beehives and forest. 
• Actively participate in campus master planning and board-focused campus and sustainability committees. 
• Coordinate construction or building projects, actively overseeing the work, and representing the school on the ground  

Engagement with the Daily Life of the School 

• Manage maintenance and repair requests by school staff on a timely basis. 
• Collaborate with faculty on campus stewardship initiatives. 
• Act as thought-partner with administration regarding campus needs and solutions. 
• Oversee regular cleaning of the school, supervise daily custodians, and manage any contracted cleaning services. 
• Support lunch, drop-off and pick-up, as needed 
• Work closely with school administration to manage the Schools Safety and Emergency Preparedness programs and campus security in accordance with established best practices. 
• Attend required meetings and assist as needed with school events for set up, takedown, parking, etc. 
• On-call for after-hours emergencies and decisions about weather closures or delays. 

    Schedule: 

• Hours are 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM M-F.  In addition, attendance is expected at regularly scheduled staff meetings and community events (i.e., Open House, Art Festival, Year-end Celebration, etc.) as assigned by the Head of School. 

Compensation: 12-month, exempt position with health, vision, dental and retirement benefits. Annual salary of $70,000 - $85,000 depending on experience. 

Submit: Resume, letter of interest and three references to employment@thelittleschool.org as soon as possible.  

About The Little School: 

The Little School is an independent preschool-5th grade elementary school in Bellevue, WA. Nestled in 12.5 acres of woods and meadows, The Little School provides a natural setting to nurture children’s curiosity and potential. We build upon the inherent strengths of each child and support them as they expand their intellect, build foundational skills and deepen their connections to friends and teachers. Each student knows and is known in our community, and children here learn to develop the interpersonal skills and confidence to advocate for themselves and for others. Our commitment to community includes advocacy and stewardship of our surroundings as well. The classroom extends to the outdoors, providing plenty of opportunities for children to study and appreciate the natural world. 

Our Mission: 

The Little School cultivates authentic learning in community and the natural world, amplifying curiosity and expanding sense of self, belonging and possibility.  

Our Vision: 

We foster vibrant understanding and promote action that forwards sustainability, justice and joy. 

Statement on Diversity and Inclusion: 

To further our children’s understanding of the world in which we live, The Little School seeks to purposefully build an environment that reflects and honors its rich diversity. The school welcomes a wide range of people and respects their personal identities, including socioeconomics, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, and family composition. Our community is committed to ongoing dialogue, education, and reflection to develop understanding and inclusion of every member. 

DEI Mission: We will reflect on our own identities, be curious about the experiences and perspectives of others and seek to understand how our identities intersect. We strive to create an educational culture where struggle and discomfort are embraced as necessary for increased understanding and a community whose members are humble, curious, kind and committed to social justice.  

DEI Vision: The Little School creates innovative learning communities committed to equity, intentionality and continuous inquiry and growth.  

Community Values: 

The Little School is a community committed to children and learning. Each member of our school faculty and staff are expected to: 

• Demonstrate a deep respect for childhood. 
• Engage and nurture each child as a learner and valued member of the community. 
• Honor and show respect for the identity of others. 
• Anchor learning in a sense of place that demonstrates care and stewardship for the school and the environment. 
• Use evidence, scientific facts and research to inform beliefs and practices. 
• Promote ongoing learning about equity, inclusion, diversity and anti-racism. 
• Celebrate creativity, innovation, kindness and curiosity. 
• Strive for continuous improvement and excellence. 
• Foster a sense of belonging among all members of our community. 
• Create and embrace joy. 

Non-discrimination Statement: 
The Little School does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity or family composition in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, hiring or any other school-administered programs. 

Qualifications: 

• Working knowledge of all building and safety systems with hands-on experience in multiple maintenance disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, painting, and general carpentry. 
• Knowledge about trees and forest management with an emphasis on ecological stewardship.
• Personal management skills and outside vendor management experience, with aptitude to judge quality of performance in project work performed.
• Technical work experience, with experience in educational setting preferred.  Related experience could include construction, plant engineer, or facility management.
• Knowledge of best methods, practices, equipment, and supplies used in facility maintenance, as well as the ability to interpret and understand building and safety regulations.
• Knowledge of budget preparation and control, and the ability to work within budget constraints.
• Excellent communication, human relations, supervisory, and management skills.
• Able to lift up to 50lbs and work outdoors in inclement weather.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, or trade certification preferred.