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Position Title:Supervisor - Plant Services - 117

Job Group:Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:• Four years experience excluding apprenticeship in the applicable craft, trade or plant service supervised; or the equivalent combination of directly related education and experience. • Must possess and maintain a current valid drivers license.

Special Required QualificationsValid U.S. Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications:Experience overseeing maintenance and vendors of residential dorms, community living, or similar

Experience coordinating work with contractors, managers, and other necessary personnel

Experience with preventative maintenance

Job Description:

Iowa State University is seeking a Supervisor – Plant Services to lead skilled trades maintenance operations within the Department of Residence. This role oversees maintenance teams supporting residential dormitories, ensuring buildings, systems, and equipment are maintained safely, efficiently, and to a high standard. This is a hands-on supervisory role that balances leadership, coordination, and technical expertise in a residential environment that operates year-round.

What You’ll Do

+ Supervise skilled trades staff including Environmental Systems Mechanics, Facilities Mechanics, Plumbers, and Carpenters supporting residence hall facilities.

+ Plan and assign work by establishing schedules, managing work orders, and adjusting priorities based on daily needs and emergencies.

+ Support preventive maintenance efforts to reduce downtime and extend the life of building systems and equipment.

+ Provide on-call leadership by responding to emergencies and service needs during assigned rotations.

+ Monitor quality and performance to ensure work is completed safely, on time, and in accordance with department standards.

+ Assist with staffing needs by interviewing candidates, recommending hires, training employees, and supporting ongoing development.

+ Coordinate materials and resources by reviewing and approving requisitions, ordering parts, and tracking maintenance needs.

+ Lead by example by performing duties of the supervised trades as needed, particularly during emergency situations.

+ Maintain accurate records related to timekeeping, schedules, costs, and work activity.

Schedule

+ Monday – Friday | 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

+ On-call rotation

About the Department of Residence

With over 400 full-time, part-time, and student employees, the Department of Residence is one of the largest non-academic departments on Iowa State University’s campus. The department serves thousands of residents each year through housing operations that run year-round across residence halls and apartment communities.

What You’ll Get

+ Insurance benefits beginning on your first day, with timely enrollment

+ Retirement benefits with strong university contributions

+ Paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay

+ Tuition reimbursement available after one year of employment

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

+ Controls the work unit in establishing work schedules, assigning or reassigning duties, effecting transfers, and approving leave and overtime.

+ Maintains accurate records, including time records, work schedules, and charges.

+ Verifies and approves materials requisitioned by employees.

+ Reviews and checks performance of assigned personnel in order to maintain high standards of service and workmanship.

+ Interviews and effectively recommends hiring.

+ Evaluates employee performance and effectively recommends disciplinary actions, promotions, merit increases, and termination.

+ Trains and orients new employees; may conduct formal training.

+ Reviews and keeps informed of new developments and techniques within area.

+ Assist in preparing job cost estimates.

+ Serves as first step in grievance procedure.

+ Maintains and enforces prescribed safety standards.

+ Performs the duties and responsibilities of the craft supervised as required and in emergency situations.

+ Monitors equipment maintenance schedules and assigns maintenance when required.

+ Orders repairs and parts when necessary.

+ Acts upon requests and complaints from departments related to custodial services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.

+ Ability to establish goals, schedule work, set deadlines for total accomplishment for self and subordinates.

+ Ability to measure and evaluate employee performance and conduct reviews.

+ Ability to interpret and explain policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

+ Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

+ Knowledge of appropriate interviewing techniques.

+ Knowledge of and ability to enforce safety standards.

+ Ability to accurately maintain a system of records.

+ Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques used in the trade supervised.

+ Knowledge of building costs.

+ Knowledge of purchasing policies and procurement practices.

+ Ability to prepare cost estimates and specifications for facilities, equipment, materials, and repairs.

+ Ability to communicate and interact with outside organizations and agencies such as municipal and state agencies and numerous private sectors.

+ Knowledge of personnel policies and procedures.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:17

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:

+ Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

+ Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans

+ Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

+ Life insurance and long-term disability

+ Flexible Spending Accounts

+ Various voluntary benefits and discounts

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: January 14, 2026

Posting Close Date:January 25, 2026

Job Requisition Number:R18432

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.