Technical Facilities Manager
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Job Type
Full-time, In-Person
Experience
Minimum 5 years of experience in operations, property, or facilities management
Start date
Immediate
About Scout
Scout is a dynamic interdisciplinary design and development practice specializing in adaptive reuse. Since 2015, we have been dedicated to revitalizing urban spaces, with our primary focus on transforming the historic Bok Building, a sprawling 340,000 sq. ft. Art Deco building in South Philadelphia, into a vibrant hub for artisans, entrepreneurs, and community groups.
In 2022, we expanded our work to Providence, RI, with 50 Sims, a 100,000+ sq. ft. project aimed at fostering community engagement and supporting local initiatives like the Steel Yard and Farm Fresh RI. This site serves as a permanent home for numerous artists, facilitating growth and long-term sustainability.
Scout is currently redeveloping Hamilton and Furness Halls on South Broad Street in Philadelphia into Village of Industry & Art. Our mixed-use developments reshape urban landscapes, offering unique opportunities for those passionate about design, development, and community-building.
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly technical, hands-on Facilities Manager to lead all aspects of building systems operation, maintenance execution, and infrastructure reliability. This role is responsible for the full lifecycle performance of the building’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems.
The Technical Facilities Manager serves as the on-site technical authority, code compliance, and efficient maintenance operations within a complex, mixed-use, and event-driven environment. This position requires strong diagnostic capability, field execution, and the ability to lead maintenance personnel and specialty contractors.
Responsibilities
Building Systems Operations (MEP)
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Own and manage all MEP systems, including central HVAC systems, distribution, controls, electrical distribution, panels, and plumbing infrastructure.
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Perform advanced troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for system failures, performance issues, and recurring maintenance problems.
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Execute and oversee corrective maintenance, ensuring adherence to manufacturer specifications and industry standards.
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Monitor system performance metrics and implement adjustments to optimize efficiency, reliability, and energy usage.
Preventive & Predictive Maintenance
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Design and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs for all base building equipment and infrastructure.
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Establish maintenance schedules aligned with OEM recommendations, lifecycle planning, and regulatory requirements.
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Utilize property management platforms (e.g., AppFolio) to track work orders and maintenance intervals.
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Maintain inventories, equipment logs, and service records for all major systems.
Life Safety & Code Compliance
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Oversee inspection, testing, and maintenance of life safety systems, including fire alarm, sprinkler systems, emergency lighting, and egress components.
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Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal codes
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Coordinate required inspections and certifications; remediate deficiencies in a timely manner.
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Maintain audit-ready documentation for all compliance-related activities.
Work Order & Maintenance Execution
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Manage, prioritize, and execute work orders across residential, commercial, and common areas.
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Perform hands-on repairs across trades as needed, including electrical, plumbing, and general building systems.
Technical Team Leadership
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Supervise and direct facilities technicians across multiple shifts, ensuring coverage for building operations and events.
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Assign work based on skill level, system priority, and operational impact.
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Train staff on technical procedures, safety standards, and proper equipment handling.
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Enforce workplace safety practices and ensure proper use of PPE and compliance with safety protocols.
Vendor & Contractor Management (Technical Scope)
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Develop detailed scopes of work for technical vendors (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection).
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Review technical proposals, oversee project execution, and validate work quality against specifications.
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Coordinate shutdowns, system tie-ins, and critical work to minimize disruption to tenants and operations.
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Support capital repairs, system upgrades, and commissioning activities.
Emergency Response & Incident Management
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Serve as primary technical lead during building emergencies, including system failures, leaks, outages, and life safety events.
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Execute rapid diagnostics and corrective actions to stabilize building operations.
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Participate in on-call rotation and provide after-hours response as required.
Position Requirements
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5+ years of hands-on facilities engineering or building operations experience, preferably in mixed-use or complex commercial environments.
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Strong working knowledge of HVAC systems (including controls), electrical distribution systems, and plumbing infrastructure.
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Demonstrated experience in troubleshooting complex MEP systems and executing technical repairs.
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Experience with property management systems (e.g., AppFolio); ability to manage digital work order systems and maintenance tracking.
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Solid understanding of life safety systems, inspection protocols, and regulatory compliance requirements.
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Experience supervising technical staff and managing maintenance workflows in an active facility.
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Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and O&M manuals.
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Familiarity with OSHA standards and general safety compliance.
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Relevant certifications preferred (EPA Universal, HVAC certification, electrical license, or equivalent trade credentials).
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Ability to perform physical work, access mechanical spaces, and respond to after-hours emergencies.
Details
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$30/hr - $35/hr
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Full Benefits: health/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, paid time off, professional development support
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Opportunity to serve as the technical lead in a complex adaptive reuse facility
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The chance to work within a unique intersection of building operations, cultural programming, and community space
To apply
To apply, please send your cover letter and resume with “VIA Technical Facilities Manager” in the subject line to hiring@viaphl.com.
Scout is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Scout provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.