KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 285 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 175,000 students and alumni with more than 15,000 educators. 

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently educates more than 2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth. With a mission to, together with families and the community, create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose -- college, career, and beyond --  KIPP has maintained excellence in its growth, and will improve upon that standard – proving what is possible in public education.

KIPP Columbus continues to see incredible academic results, including in our early literacy program where more than 80% of kindergarten and first grade students ended last school year reading on grade level. In addition, in our first four graduating classes (in spring 2020 -2023) 100% of students were accepted to college and/or military service and 100% graduated. 

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with nearly 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy as we expand to educate nearly 4,000 students on our learning campus in the coming years. 

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org/

The Opportunity

The Director of Facilities and Grounds will provide day to day leadership and oversight of our campus facilities and grounds. The Director of Facilities and Grounds ensures we have a beautiful, vibrant, safe, and compliant campus with respect to all of our facilities and schools.

The Director of Facilities and Grounds would make the day-to-day decisions on prioritization of work orders for the Facilities Maintenance team and will schedule contractor work for the campus. This would include meeting with vendors when they are on site, relaying pertinent information to impacted staff, completing tasks that require and a strong working knowledge of building construction, electrical and plumbing work, HVAC controls and repair related projects. The Director of Facilities and Grounds would report directly to the Senior Director of Special Projects. 

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Property Management

• Daily coordination of grounds and facilities vendors
• Recommendations for enhancements to campus grounds
• Assessment of campus facilities preventive maintenance program
• Assistance with negotiation of grounds and facilities contracts
• Serve as a co-lead for all expansion and capital projects; working with construction companies, architects, and vendors
• Assesses and monitors facility repairs to ensure cost effectiveness
• Makes recommendations for repair versus replacement of facilities
• Works with KIPP Columbus operations and finance staff to ensure maintenance and purchases are in line with KIPP Columbus policies and procedures
• Plans, develops and prioritizes projects and weekly work plans for grounds and facilities
• Ensures that materials are ordered, projects are designed and planned, and monies are available
• Coordinates and monitors status of work orders and estimates
• Maintains current knowledge in the field of facilities management/maintenance
• Works with KIPP Columbus operations staff on safety-related grounds and facilities improvements
• Assists with creating, implementing and updating facility/security related policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations
• Follows all safety precautions/standards and KIPP Columbus best practices
• Ensures compliance with applicable building and safety codes, hazardous waste disposal, OSHA, hazardous materials, etc.

Facilities and Maintenance Leadership

• Manage and supervise facilities maintenance staff
• Review and approve all spending requests related to campus facilities and grounds 
• Audit inventory of materials kept on hand for usage
• Lead regular walkthroughs of all campus facilities ensuring facilities are in good repair and safe
• Ensure all buildings are code compliant and up to date on inspections including:
  • Comply with any and all OHSA regulations at all times
• Serve on call in the event of unforeseen facilities maintenance emergencies
• Manage various contractors, partners, and service providers with campus facilities project work

Repairs and Building Maintenance

• Complete basic campus and facilities repairs including (but not limited to): 
  • Drywall repairs and painting
  • Plumbing repairs and installation
  • Carpentry repairs and installation
  • Minor electrical repairs
  • Minor concrete and asphalt patch repairs
  • Fencing and gate repairs
• Assemble furniture
• Change lights and light fixtures
• Manage and maintain tools and campus equipment

• High school Diploma or GED.
• Hold a valid Ohio drivers license.
• Be able to lift/move up to 100 pounds assisted
• At least five (5) years of facilities maintenance supervision or leadership experience, OR
• At least five (5) years of grounds maintenance supervision or leadership experience
• At least five (5) years of facilities work experience
• A track record of performance and successful implementation across multiple concurrent projects, shifting and competing priorities, and driving teams towards results
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and conflict, while leading and managing teams of people, in many instances through influence or without direct-line authority
• Demonstrated values around anti-racism by reinforcing a commitment to equity through actions and unconscious bias.
• Ability to persevere with a sense of optimism, strong problem solving skills, and desire to learn and grow in a collaborative professional learning community
• Willingness, and commitment, to go above and beyond.
• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions
• Model the values of KIPP Columbus (Imagine, Navigate, Seek, Persevere, Integrity, Responsibility, and Empathy)

Compensation

KIPP Columbus offers a generous salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as group term life insurance, FSA, retirement plan and paid time off.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.