Posting date: August 21, 2026
- Job Type: Full-time
- Location: Cambridge
- School/Unit: Harvard University Central Administration
- Salary Grade: 058
- Job Function: Facilities
- FLSA Status: Exempt
- Term Appointment: No
- Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
- Work Format: Hybrid
Company Description
By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join Harvard University Central Administration?
Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.
Campus Services Mission Statement:
To advance Harvard University's mission of teaching and research, we partner to provide stewardship, strategies, and services that create exceptional community experiences.
Job Description
Facilities Maintenance Operations (FMO) provides a broad portfolio of labor-based services, including building maintenance, landscaping, and custodial services to a large portion of the University. (FMO) A department of Campus Services, it offers primary building maintenance, landscape, fire safety, custodial, and event support services to Harvard schools and departments on a fee-for-service basis. All services are provided in strict accordance with regulatory requirements and customer-determined standards.
The Area Maintenance Supervisor is guided at all times by the mission, vision, and principles of Campus Services and instills a commitment to these values among all team members. The Area Maintenance Supervisor fosters a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment.
This position supervises a team of skilled mechanics and building operators providing mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and maintenance services to a designated area of the Harvard campus on a fee-for-service basis. Communicates with facilities managers/superintendents or other representatives (who manage the buildings) to determine requirements and develop response and maintenance operations strategies consistent with their requests. Manages all operations in accordance with customer expectations and departmental objectives to ensure a self-sustaining future.
Provides field-level leadership within Facilities Maintenance Operations (FMO) while primarily assigned to lead and manage MEP project work to create and sustain high-performance buildings in the Harvard University property portfolios.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
- Leads, selects, develops, and supervises a multi-trade team of in-house tradespersons and outside contractors to repair, maintain, and operate a variety of complex building systems.
- Provides tradespersons with instruction on duties to be performed, establishes standards for quality of work performed, and inspects work to ensure compliance.
- Manages each employee's attendance and work performance to meet the objectives of the unit and the department.
- Supervises the diagnosis and troubleshooting of equipment and systems to optimize building performance and energy efficiency.
- Maintains CMMS work order database, creates work orders, and ensures accuracy of descriptions for work required, work performed, and customer information.
- Performs daily review and distribution of open work orders in area of responsibility and takes required action to ensure timely completion of all work.
- Triggers preventive maintenance work orders to ensure timely alignment of staff, equipment, and materials required to perform work.
- Prepares work completion reports for customers.
- Maintains regular contact with customers to ensure timely work completion, service quality, and overall satisfaction.
- Meets regularly with faculty and department representatives to establish or clarify customer requirements and identify opportunities for new work.
- Conducts investigations and analyzes all service-related incidents; prepares customer and management reports and takes corrective actions.
- Prepares detailed price proposals in response to customer requests for projects and preventive maintenance programs.
- Evaluates needs for contracted labor or specialty services, prepares detailed work specifications, issues contracts, and manages vendor to ensure full performance.
- Provides project management oversight as needed.
- Provides professional advice and technical support to faculty and department representatives in the development of energy efficiency and plant maintenance initiatives (e.g., preventive maintenance programs, equipment changes, building operations, and environmental controls).
- Oversees regulatory compliance with applicable environmental regulations and safety codes for all work performed in the unit. Manages established departmental worker safety program for all direct reports.
- Performs accident investigation and follow-up as required.
- Develops and oversees specialized technical training curriculum and skill-building programs for hourly maintenance staff, including Building Automation Control (BAC) Operator Training (using control simulator and other training aids).
- Continually improves the quality of FMO services by motivating and empowering employees, implementing new technologies, and creating or revising procedures and processes to improve individual and team effectiveness.
- Monitors expenditures for labor, supplies and other costs to ensure best value to the customer and balances income and expenses to meet the break-even financial goals of FMO.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
- Emergency Status Designation: Critical Operations Personnel (required to provide on-site support during emergency situations as determined by management).
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to stand and walk for long periods.
- Must be able to access non-handicap accessible spaces for observation of building operating equipment.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Must possess a valid Massachusetts state trade license or Mass Maritime Degree and/or related technical or vocational training/experience.
- Minimum five years' experience in supervising trades personnel (as a Supervisor or Working Foreman) in a University or similar environment with a complex building maintenance system.
- Experience with computer-based mobile preventive maintenance systems is required.
- Valid Driver's License required.
- A Massachusetts State Trade license is preferred.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- College background with degree in mechanical engineering or engineering technology preferred.
- Experience supervising a unionized workforce.
- Must demonstrate evidence of effective leadership abilities and a willingness to serve as an active team member.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.
Technology Skills Required:
- Demonstrated proficiency in desktop computing systems, including: Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheet and database applications).
- Familiarity with handheld computing, equipment diagnostics, bar-coding, and related technologies.
Special Requirements:
- Must be available to respond to emergencies on off-hours.
Certificates and Licenses:
- Must possess a valid Massachusetts state trade license or Mass Maritime Degree and/or related technical or vocational training/experience.
- Valid Driver's License required.
- A Massachusetts State Trade license is preferred.
Additional Information
Standard Hours/Schedule:
- 40 hours per week
Visa Sponsorship Information:
- Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
Pre-Employment Screening:
- Identity
- Education
- Criminal
- Certification/License
- Motor Vehicle Record
- Drug Test
- References
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University's Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.