Facility managers oversee maintenance and repair of buildings and facilities, requiring formal training and experience in building maintenance. They must be mechanically inclined, detail-oriented, and have good communication skills. Career advancement opportunities are limited, but salaries and benefits are typically good.
Facility manager jobs vary by location, but can generally be divided into maintenance and repair. These jobs are essential to the continued operation of any building, industrial or commercial. A facility manager is someone responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of a building or facility.
There are some community colleges that offer two-year programs in facility management, but this is not widely available. The vast majority of facility managers have some formal training in a specialist trade, combined with experience working in building maintenance. Past positions may include superintendent, assistant superintendent, or similar positions.
Facility managers are often mechanically inclined and have a good eye for detail, blueprint reading skills and excellent communication skills. Most positions offer a good salary and benefits as they are typically found in large manufacturing companies or large property management companies. It is very important that these two companies have qualified staff that can troubleshoot the different systems needed to operate a facility.
Most maintenance activities at a facility are scheduled. All mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems needed to operate a building require regular maintenance. Some installations are so large and the machines so complex that maintenance is completed by specialist service companies. Others are small enough that this task becomes one of the facilities manager’s jobs.
Repair is another important aspect of this position. Employees who constantly monitor the facility are able to identify and repair small items before they become larger items. For example, a small tear in a rug can be quickly repaired to prevent a long tear in the rug that becomes a tripping hazard.
People who report the most satisfaction with facility manager jobs enjoy solving problems and working independently. The level of responsibility varies greatly depending on the building and size of the company. Large facilities may have multiple employees working for a facility manager or have just one person.
Most facilities manager jobs have a limited number of career advancement opportunities available. To increase their salary and level of responsibility, many people move to different companies. It is not uncommon for a company to restrict the facilities manager’s activity to a specific set of tasks, limiting opportunities for growth. Take time to build your skills and talk to your manager before exploring other opportunities.
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