REPORTS TO: Head of Finance & Operations

SUPERVISES: Maintenance Staff

MISSION STATEMENT

In a safe, challenging, nurturing, and disciplined environment, Valley School provides a balanced and strong program of study for a diverse group of children. Our goal is to stimulate in each young person lifelong habits of moral behavior, seeking wisdom, and doing good works for others.

THE ROLE

The Director of Facilities is responsible for the stewardship, safety, and performance of all campus buildings, infrastructure, utilities, grounds, and athletic facilities supporting a K–8 independent school serving approximately 225 students and 68 employees.  This role ensures a safe, compliant, and well-maintained learning environment that directly supports the school’s mission and Core Values.  The Director establishes and maintains standards for safety, cleanliness, operational efficiency, and campus presentation. They manage facilities operations, oversee event logistics, regulate water and wastewater systems, prepare for emergencies, and coordinate capital projects. Throughout, they work to preserve and improve the campus in ways that reflect and honor the school’s history, traditions, and aesthetic standards.

Residency Requirement

Due to the operational demands of campus utilities, life-safety systems, weather response, and emergency preparedness, on-campus residency is essential to this position.  The Director of Facilities is required to reside in school-provided housing to ensure a timely response to alarms, infrastructure failures, severe weather events, and other urgent operational needs that may arise outside of standard business hours.  Residency supports 24-hour operational continuity and campus safety.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilities & Grounds Management

• Lead daily operations across campus buildings, grounds, athletic facilities, and supporting infrastructure.
• Supervise custodial, maintenance, and grounds staff; oversee contractor selection and performance.
• Ensure facilities reliably support academic programs, extracurricular activities, and community events.
• Manage departmental budgets, project and capital forecasting, purchasing, and vendor relationships and contracts.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive preventive maintenance program, refining it over time as campus needs evolve.
• Work with management to oversee facilities and capital improvement projects.

Utilities & Environmental Systems

• Oversee on-site drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, ensuring reliable, safe, and uninterrupted campus operations.
• Ensure full compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) regulations, including testing, reporting, documentation, and corrective actions.
• Coordinate required inspections, sampling, regulatory reporting, and system maintenance.
• Monitor system performance to ensure reliability, safety, and uninterrupted campus operations.
• Respond promptly to system alarms, operational failures, and compliance-related issues.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

• Serve as a primary campus leader for emergency preparedness and response alongside the Safety Planning Team.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and regular review of emergency, life-safety, and crisis response plans.
• Help to coordinate safety drills, training initiatives, and preparedness planning.
• Respond to fire, security, weather, and utility-related incidents, and maintain relationships with local emergency responders, inspectors, and regulatory agencies.

24-Hour Operational Responsibility

• Maintain 24/7 on-call availability to ensure campus safety and operational continuity.
• Provide timely response to utility alarms, infrastructure failures, and life-safety systems.
• Coordinate and assist with snow removal and weather-related operations on weekends and during severe weather events.
• Ensure continuity of essential campus services during emergencies or off-hour events.
• Residency required.

Event Operations & Campus Logistics

• Plan, coordinate, and support campus events including academic programs, athletic competitions, performances, fundraising activities, and community gatherings.
• Partner with the Director of Development, Administration, and faculty to assess event needs and translate them into operational plans.
• Develop event logistics covering facility setup, utilities, safety, custodial coverage, and traffic and parking flow.

TO APPLY

Qualified applicants should email the following documents to Jennifer Fretts, Director of Human Resources at hr@valleyschoolofligonier.org • Cover letter • Updated CV/Resume • List of three professional references

Valley School of Ligonier, founded in 1946, is a coeducational day school located on a 400-acre rural campus southeast of Pittsburgh.  Valley School aims to provide a balanced and strong program of study for a diverse group of children.  The school has roughly 180 students in grades K-8 with about half of those in the Middle School division.  VSL is committed to the professional growth and development of its faculty and staff.  For more information about VSL, please visit:  www.valleyschoolofligonier.org

The Valley School of Ligonier seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body.  The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 15 – 20+ years of experience, or
• 5-7+ years of experience preferred with an advanced degree or certification in Facilities Management.
• Obtain appropriate Pennsylvania DEP licensure for Drinking Water and Wastewater operations within three (3) years of employment commencement – the school will support preparation and resources for this goal.

 PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and building systems oversight
• Preventive maintenance planning
• Capital project management
• Budget development & financial oversight
• Vendor and contract negotiation
• Safety & compliance
• Sustainability and energy management
• Technology skills such as Excel, Word, and facilities maintenance systems

About Valley School of Ligonier

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