Position

The incumbent serves as the Facilities Manager for the Forest Pest Methods Laboratory | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service located at Joint Base Cape Cod in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. The position oversees daily operations, maintenance, repairs, and long term planning for all buildings and infrastructure supporting research programs, including work conducted within a BSL2 insect containment facility. Responsibilities include coordinating with contractors, supporting major construction and renovation projects, and ensuring the facility remains safe, functional, and compliant. The incumbent plays a critical role in supporting mission essential research by maintaining continuous oversight of complex laboratory systems and acting as a key point of contact for emergencies, security, and facility operations.

Roles/Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operation, maintenance, and monitoring essential infrastructure such as, laboratory gas detection systems, hazardous chemical storage, environmental growth chambers, refrigerators, and HVAC systems across all buildings and greenhouses water and sewage systems, and specialized laboratory equipment.
• Manage building wide issues such as heating, cooling, and air handling challenges affecting containment and research operations.
• Provide 24/7 response to facility security alarms and serve as the primary contact for Federal Protective Services notifications.
• Represent FPML on the Joint Base Cape Cod Security Council and serve as liaison to APHIS security, base fire department, installation security personnel, and the environmental office.
• Coordinate facility upgrades, renovations, and construction projects.
• Serve as Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR Level 2 preferred) for facility related projects at FPML and other S&T locations; oversee contractor performance and ensure compliance with contract requirements.
• Manage service contracts, utilities, and facility operations budgets, including oversight of electricity, gas, and internet usage (totaling more than $400,000 annually).
• Maintain records and work tracking systems using SharePoint; ensure asset, maintenance, and repair documentation is accurate and up to date.
• Support long term planning for building improvements, major system replacements, capital projects, and budgeting needs.
• Oversee maintenance and safe operation of FPML’s fleet of 14 vehicles located across multiple states (MA, PA, OH, CA).
• Provide oversight of general facility operations including minor repairs, landscaping, and snow removal
• Ensure proper function and compliance of the BSL2 insect containment facility and all related operational procedures and SOPs.
• Collaborate with the supervisor to determine when work should be completed by internal staff versus contracted labor.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for facility operations, coordinating with internal staff, contractors, and emergency responders

Qualifications/skills needed

• Experience with facility operations, including HVAC and complex building automation systems.
• Ability to manage maintenance activities, contractors, repair projects, and facility service contracts.
• Ability to monitor and respond to security critical systems and alarms in a research facility environment.
• Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills, particularly in containment related operations.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills in a dynamic research support environment.
• COR Level 2 certification (or ability to obtain) preferred for management of construction and maintenance contracts.