COORDINATOR, PROJECTS/BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Occupational Summary: The Building Coordinator – Science Precinct is responsible for ensuring that facilities and building services across the assigned area, particularly within research-intensive laboratory spaces, operate efficiently, meet stakeholder needs, and maintain a professional, safe, and functional environment. This role involves liaising with building occupants, coordinating maintenance and operational services, managing outside service providers (OSPs), and participating in long-term planning and improvement initiatives.

This position reports to the Director of Building Renewal & Project Support.

Essential Job Functions:

Customer-Focused Service:

• Act as the primary liaison between Facilities Management Department (FMD) and departmental building occupants, ensuring a customer-focused approach.
• Meet regularly with facilities representatives from Trinity Arts & Sciences, Pratt School of Engineering, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke Lemur Center, and the School of Medicine to discuss facilities-related issues.
• Maintain an up-to-date contact list for key customer groups and facilitate clear communication.
• Represent FMD positively in interactions with various university departments.

Facilities Operations & Maintenance:

• Review and manage work orders for accuracy and clarity, with a focus on laboratory and research facility needs.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, and other integrated services, ensuring minimal disruption to occupants and research activities.
• Ensure alignment with Duke's established facilities standards by conducting routine inspections of building common areas, mechanical spaces, loading docks, shared equipment, and building exteriors.
• Maintain awareness of after-hours operations, including periodic walkthroughs to assess service effectiveness.

Technical Systems & Research Facility Support:

• Provide support in coordination with FMD shops for maintaining complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems critical to laboratory and research facility operations.
• Maintain awareness of operational statuses of laboratory-specific infrastructure such as fume hoods, autoclaves, clean rooms, controlled environment rooms, ventilation systems, etc.
• Assist in coordinating the connection of research-specific equipment—such as cold chambers, sub-zero freezers, and bio-safety cabinets—to building systems, including electrical, steam, process water, vacuum, etc.
• Communicate planned utility and system shutdowns with stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Occupational & Environmental Safety Office (OESO) to ensure compliance with safety regulations for hazardous materials and ventilation systems.
• Collaborate with research staff and FMD subject matter experts to ensure proper function and maintenance of specialized lab equipment and critical building systems.

Project & Budget Planning:

• Support Office of Project Management (OPM) teams during pre-construction and construction phases, especially regarding lab-specific infrastructure.
• Provide recommendations for long-term building maintenance and renewal with a focus on high-tech research spaces.
• Contribute to the Building Renewal Budget Planning process and oversee small-scale renewal projects related to scientific spaces.
• Coordinate damage loss claims with affected occupants and Duke Corporate Risk.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness:

• Assist in emergency response efforts by providing support for evacuations, shutdowns, water events, and inspections.
• Coordinate as needed with Duke Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) and the Fire and Life Safety Division with the City of Durham Fire Marshal by facilitating building inspections and addressing related concerns.
• Support departmental contacts and operational support services in addressing deficiencies and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.