Facilities Director

About the Position

The Sunshine Academy operates three licensed childcare centers: Highway 312 in Billings, Ramshorn and 1st Street in Laurel.

The Facilities Director is responsible for the physical operations of all three locations, including buildings, building systems, grounds, playgrounds, outbuildings, vehicles, vendors, and contractors.

Our standard is simple: Every center is safe, well-maintained, looks great from the street to the classroom, functions properly, and is inspection-ready every day.

This is a hands-on, self-directed role. You will plan your own schedule based on preventive maintenance needs and findings from routine walkthroughs. We are looking for someone who takes ownership, identifies problems before they become bigger issues, and focuses on results.

Key Responsibilities

Preventive Maintenance

• Manage weekly, monthly, quarterly, seasonal, and annual maintenance schedules across all three centers.
• Update maintenance schedules as buildings and equipment change.
• Document completed work with photos and maintenance logs.

Repairs

• Perform general repairs, including drywall, painting, doors, hardware, plumbing, fixtures, light electrical, flooring, carpentry, playground equipment, and minor vehicle repairs.
• Address safety-related repairs the same day.
• Resolve licensing-related issues within one week.
• Complete other repairs within two weeks or schedule them with an appropriate vendor.

Building Systems

• Maintain and monitor heating and cooling, water and septic, electrical and lighting, fire alarms and extinguishers, emergency lighting, doors, locks, roofs, gutters, and flooring.
• Learn and maintain specialized systems, including geothermal heating and pressurized septic systems.
• Identify and address potential building system problems proactively.

Grounds and Curb Appeal

• Oversee lawn care, irrigation, trees, fencing, playground surfaces, fall zones, shade structures, parking lots, and walkways.
• Ensure timely snow and ice removal.
• Maintain consistent appearance and upkeep across all three centers.

Vendor and Contractor Management

• Maintain an organized list of approved vendors and contractors.
• Obtain quotes, schedule work, coordinate onsite access, and inspect completed projects.
• Verify invoices against approved quotes.
• Coordinate services including snow removal, landscaping, HVAC, septic, plumbing, electrical, roofing, flooring, glass, fire systems, and pest control.

Compliance and Inspection Readiness

• Keep facilities prepared for childcare licensing, health, and fire inspections.
• Conduct building walkthroughs with center directors before inspections.
• Attend inspections as needed and ensure all facility-related findings are addressed by established deadlines.

Vehicle Maintenance

• Maintain center vans to ensure safety and legal compliance.
• Conduct quarterly vehicle checks.
• Schedule oil changes, routine maintenance, and repairs with the designated mechanic.
• Ensure vehicle registrations and insurance remain current.

Projects

• Plan, estimate, schedule, and complete small to medium-sized facility improvement projects.
• Coordinate onsite activities for larger capital improvement projects led by ownership.

Budget Management

• Work within an established monthly facilities budget.
• Track expenses by center.
• Make purchases within authorized spending limits.
• Obtain two quotes for expenses exceeding approval limits.
• Identify and recommend future capital improvement needs.

Communication and Reporting

• Proactively identify maintenance issues and communicate solutions.
• Keep center directors informed when maintenance work may impact daily operations.
• Communicate significant concerns to ownership early, along with a recommended plan.
• Submit a monthly one-page facilities report covering completed work, overdue items, upcoming projects, expenses, and potential risks.

Team Participation

• Participate in staff events and professional development in-services.
• Wear the Sunshine Academy uniform.
• Assist with setup and teardown for Academy-hosted events.
• Be an active, collaborative member of the Sunshine Academy team.

Reporting Structure

The Facilities Director reports directly to the Director of Operations and participates in a weekly one-on-one meeting.

The owner serves as a technical advisor, providing direction on technical work and approving expenditures above authorized limits. Ownership retains responsibility for cameras, networking, phones, and heavy equipment.

Center directors collaborate with the Facilities Director but do not directly supervise the position.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience in facilities management, building maintenance, construction trades, or property management.
• Hands-on experience with drywall, painting, doors, hardware, plumbing, fixtures, drains, light electrical, flooring, basic carpentry, and playground equipment.
• Ability to safely use hand tools, power tools, and facility equipment, including mowers, weed eaters, floor machines, pressure washers, and snowblowers.
• Experience obtaining quotes, managing vendors, and working within a budget.
• Comfortable using a smartphone and computer for photos, maintenance tracking, reporting, and researching parts or vendors.
• Working knowledge of basic commercial building fire codes and life-safety requirements.
• Valid Montana driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Ability to pass childcare background checks and fingerprinting requirements.
• Comfortable working around young children while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work, including lifting up to 75 pounds, climbing ladders, accessing roofs and crawl spaces, kneeling, and working outdoors in Montana weather.
• Must live within reasonable proximity to Laurel and Billings and be available to respond to building emergencies such as frozen pipes, heating failures, power outages, or break-ins.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with HVAC, boilers, or irrigation systems.
• Military veterans are encouraged to apply.

Compensation and Schedule

Schedule: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Earlier start times may be required depending on weather or maintenance needs. Centers open at 7:00 AM.

The position includes on-call responsibilities for building emergencies and occasional evening or weekend hours for events and projects during center closures.

Compensation: Starting pay is $30-$35 per hour, depending on experience.

Benefits: Health insurance benefits are not currently offered.

Transportation: Use of a personal vehicle is required. Mileage reimbursement is provided.

Uniforms and Tools: Sunshine Academy shirts and outerwear are provided, along with company tools and consumable supplies. The primary workshop and tool storage are located at the Ramshorn center in Laurel.

Training and Growth Opportunities

The Facilities Director will receive a written training plan during the first week and participate in weekly supervisor check-ins.

Performance reviews will take place at 30, 60, and 90 days, followed by a 12-month review.

Because there is a significant amount to learn across three facilities, the first year will serve as a probationary period.

As The Sunshine Academy expands to a fourth center, this position is expected to grow into a leadership role overseeing a facilities team.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume along with a brief note describing the buildings or properties you have maintained and your hands-on experience.

We value demonstrated skills, ownership, and quality work over a lengthy resume.

If you take pride in keeping buildings safe, functional, and looking their best, we would love to hear from you!