Building Services Assistant

About the role

Job Summary: Reporting to the Building Operations Manager and working closely with the Building Systems Manager, the Building Services Assistant is a key member of the Facilities Management team responsible for supporting the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of all Harvard Radcliffe Institute properties. The Building Services Assistant provides hands-on building maintenance, supports day-to-day operations, and helps coordinate and document work performed by internal trades and external vendors across building systems and services. This position is classified as essential. All essential personnel are expected to be on site during emergency situations, including but not limited to snowstorms and other severe weather, in order to help ensure the safety and continuity of building operations, building occupants, and the general public. Job-Specific Responsibilities: Helps ensure that buildings are maintained to the standards established by the Facilities Management department for all physical aspects of buildings, systems, and grounds. Performs routine repairs and maintenance including carpentry, painting, doors, locks, windows, MEP, furniture, equipment, and room finishes, within the skill level and scope of the position. Identifies issues that require specialized skills or licensed trades and coordinates repairs with outside contractors or University service providers, as directed by Facilities Management. Completes assigned work requests, maintenance projects, and operational assignments, documenting all activity accurately and promptly in the work order system; for work assigned to external contractors, University trades, or other service providers, assists in tracking status and following up as requested by Facilities Management to help ensure timely completion. Serves as an on-site point of contact for trades and contractors (including grounds, snow operations, and yard setups), providing access, basic direction on the location and timing of work, and information about building conditions; observes contractor activities to support safe work practices, adherence to instructions, and minimal disruption to building operations, and promptly reports any concerns to the supervising manager. Participates in and assists with periodic building inspections and walkthroughs to identify maintenance needs, document conditions, support preventative maintenance efforts, and help ensure compliance with applicable codes, safety regulations, and institutional policies, escalating issues as appropriate. Assists with office moves and setups, residential move-in and move-out (including inspections for maintenance repairs and monitoring movers), and event, exhibit, and special-use setups as needed. Regularly interacts with building occupants and responds to building-related questions, problems, and service requests; monitors and reports observable building conditions and occupant concerns (e.g., comfort complaints, unusual noises, alarms, visible leaks or damage), provides hands-on assistance within the scope of the position, enters work orders for issues requiring trades or vendors, and escalates more complex issues to the appropriate manager. Clearly and professionally communicates maintenance, custodial, and building-related issues in a timely manner to Facilities Management staff, vendors, and building occupants. Helps maintain appropriate inventory levels of supplies and materials necessary for daily operations and routine maintenance, and reports replenishment needs to the Building Operations Manager. Ensures that work areas, mechanical spaces, and storage areas are kept orderly, safe, and in accordance with Facilities Management standards. Assists with snow removal, inclement weather response, and other emergency or urgent situations as needed, under the direction of Facilities Management leadership. Performs other related duties as necessary, consistent with the level and scope of this position, to support the effective operation, maintenance, and stewardship of Harvard Radcliffe Institute facilities. Working Conditions: Work is performed in a variety of settings, including offices, classrooms, residential buildings, mechanical spaces, and outdoors across campus. Regular exposure to typical building-maintenance environments, including dust, dirt, noise, vibration, and odors from paints, solvents, cleaning agents, and other maintenance materials. May be exposed to caustic chemicals and cleaning materials; appropriate training and PPE are provided and required. Frequently required to work in areas with fluctuating or extreme temperatures (hot or cold mechanical rooms, unconditioned spaces, and outdoor locations) and under inclement weather conditions (rain, snow, ice, heat, cold). The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but can be loud at times (e.g., near mechanical equipment, power tools, or during construction activities). The position requires frequent interaction with building occup

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