Facilities Maintenance Specialist

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

Department BSD ARC - Facilities Maintenance & Infrastructure About the Department The mission of the Animal Resources Center (ARC) is to assist investigators in performing their animal research while ensuring appropriate and humane care of all laboratory animals. The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at The University of Chicago is responsible for the use and care of all research animals on campus. The ARC manages 6 facilities and a business office. Its sections are as follows: husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, finance and administration. The unit merged with the Office of Shared Research Facilities managing all of the BSD cores on campus. Job Summary The Facilities Maintenance Specialist role supports the maintenance, operation, and reliability of specialized equipment within the Animal Resources Center (ARC) and research facilities. Responsibilities include performing preventative maintenance, troubleshooting and repairing equipment, and coordinating with internal teams and external vendors to resolve issues efficiently. The position also supports facility projects, contractor activities, and equipment installations while helping ensure minimal disruption to research operations. Additionally, this role monitors environmental systems, assists with building automation reporting, and serves as a technical resource to staff. Responsibilities Manages preventative maintenance activities of all ARC specialized equipment in the animal facilities. Implements special projects/tasks as delegated. Participates in facilities renovations, contractor activities, and other activities performed by hired outside vendors. Performs on-site maintenance and emergency equipment repairs of ARC specialized equipment. Coordinates some repairs with Plant/Facilities Departments. Assists with ARC environmental monitoring systems. Provides technical support for the general operations of the Animal Resources Center and Office of Shared Research Facilities. Manages on-site preventative maintenance of specialized equipment, coordinates equipment repairs with Plant and Facilities departments. Acts as the ARC liaison to anyone working in ARC space. Follows up on work requests and reports back to ARC staff. Involved with new equipment installation and diagnostics evaluations of specialized equipment malfunctions. Participates in building renovations and ARC facilities construction projects. Assists with obtaining quotes and proposals from contractors and vendors. Monitors contractor and coordinates schedule with Manager and stakeholders, and confirms all contractor work is completed. Responsible for minimizing negative impact on research for investigators during renovations and contractor activities. Supports ARC initiated projects with equipment relocation and mounting/de-mounting as well as fabrication and installation of purpose-built solutions. Routinely assists with monitoring environmental conditions (lights, temperature and humidity) and verifies proper operation of building systems and equipment. Utilizes the Building Automation System (BAS) to create reports and retrieve trending data. Understands proper environmental parameters and awareness of effects on research animals if ranges exceed specifications. Functions as a resource for the team in matters regarding equipment operation and repair. Provides hands on equipment troubleshooting and diagnostics and implements approved solutions. Maintains light fixtures, replaces bulbs, cleans supply and exhaust grilles and replaces filters. Un-crates, assembles, installs and otherwise prepares and maintains miscellaneous equipment (carts, housing racks, dispensers). Loads/unloads and transports equipment within and between facilities. Leads the coordination of maintenance of facilities, grounds and/or equipment. Receives requests for facilities services from unit employees and coordinates delivery of appropriate services. Utilizes specialized skills and on-the-job experience to conduct inspections of buildings, equipment and/or surrounding grounds for deficiencies and potential safety, health, or code problems. Prepares written reports summarizing findings and recommends solutions. Typically coordinates package receipt and delivery; coordinates movement of equipment and materials, including ensuring proper and timely set up of employees in new office space; maintains building security, including maintaining building keys; and maintains information on building blue prints, space utilization data and equipment. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree). Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Certifications: Preferred Qualifications Education: College or University degree in facilities operations/building engineering/equipment maintenance related field. Experience: Work experience in an academic environment and biomedical research. Work experience in shop equipment repair, machine tools, and welding. Work experience in building systems and HVAC maintenance strongly preferred. Preferred Competencies High mechanical aptitude with attention to detail and thoroughness. Familiarity with Building Automation Systems and commercial building infrastructure. Good written, verbal, and organizational skills. Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal/communication skills. Ability to effectively assess conditions and disseminate observations. Willingness to work successfully as a member of a team. Ability to work under pressure of frequent deadlines. Computer knowledge and skills. Working Conditions The ability to push or pull objects weighing up to 100 pounds, climb a ladder, and occasionally access equipment/parts in unique or hard to reach locations. Availability to work on-call nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating schedule with other team members if needed. Occasional stooping, kneeling, and reaching. Requires 80% walking and standing and 20% sitting. Application Documents Resume (required) Cover Letter (preferred) 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 Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required Yes Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Hourly ? FLSA Status Non-Exempt ? Pay Range $28.85 - $38.46 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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. 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. 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.

Keywords: University of Chicago, Hoffman Estates , Facilities Maintenance Specialist, Science, Research & Development , Chicago, Illinois