Foreign Service Facility Manager (FP 6217)
What you'd do
The U.S. Department of State is developing a rank-ordered list of eligible hires for a limited number of Foreign Service Facility Manager positions. Learn more about Foreign Service careers at https://careers.state.gov. There is more to joining the Foreign Service than just salary. Refer to the Benefits section for more information on total compensation.
Major duties
Facility Managers (FMs) are the Department's professional experts in facilities, technical operations, and building management at U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide. Assigned to more than 200 locations, FMs support the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) mission to provide effective facilities for U.S. diplomacy abroad. FMs deliver a comprehensive range of building services, manage critical systems and infrastructure, and oversee operations in both official and residential properties to U.S. industry standards. FMs are key members of embassy and consulate management teams and lead large, diverse teams of engineers, technicians, and tradespersons. FMs may also serve as Regional Facility Managers, providing expertise and oversight across multiple posts. The duties of this position include: Facility Operation and Maintenance and Asset Management Coordinate all facility management activities, supervising American and Locally Employed professional, technical, and trade staff with a variety of skill levels and backgrounds. Oversee the operation, maintenance, repair, scheduling, and modification of physical plants, structures, and grounds. Develop and implement comprehensive preventative maintenance and repair programs, including resource estimates and schedules. Ensure the ongoing maintenance of physical security systems. Initiate and support contract development, draft scopes of work, and oversee contractor performance. Serve as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for facility-related contracts. Establish maintenance policies, determine facility condition indexes, and conduct annual facility condition and inspection surveys. Manage energy resources by monitoring and optimizing post energy usage. Ensure the continuous availability of utilities. Maintain accurate real property inventories and ensure the computerized maintenance management system is up to date. Monitor and report on performance metrics. Oversee building automation systems, including complex HVAC systems, and monitor load management for chillers and generators. Management of the Facility Management Office and Strategic Planning Lead long-range facility management planning, maintain the post's mission requirements/master plan, establish performance goals and objectives, and analyze and advocate for necessary resources. Manage project development, including the design and supervision of construction activities. Develop and manage the facility budget, allocate funds, and manage sustainment, restoration, and modernization expenditures. Prepare written reports and deliver briefings. Manage customer service operations, monitor performance standards, implement quality control procedures, and oversee customer satisfaction surveys. Provide support to tenants from other agencies. Track and report on the effectiveness of FM programs using key performance metrics, ensuring efficient use of maintenance funds and assets. Supervise staff, develop staffing plans, draft position requests and descriptions, train and mentor team members, prepare employee evaluations, and participate in hiring and separating of staff. Contribute to real estate decisions, including space planning and management. Safety Management Serve as the safety officer, overseeing safety training and promoting safe work practices across all facility operations. Report, review, and investigate workplace incidents and mishaps to identify root causes and implement corrective actions. Manage a comprehensive fire prevention program and conduct safety certifications for leased properties. Support emergency preparedness by developing and maintaining emergency contingency plans. Ensure compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Environmental Protection Agency cleaning and disinfecting guidelines. Oversee testing of post water and ambient air quality and manage environmental controls, abatement activities, and proper handling of HAZMAT. FMs are considered essential personnel and are on call to provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What you need to qualify
Specialized Experience demonstrates that a candidate has and can apply a combination of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to this Foreign Service position. Candidates must have gained required Specialized Experience within the last 10 years. For the minimum years of Specialized Experience required relative to education level, see the Education Requirements section. To qualify as Specialized Experience, the experience must reflect a combination of the components listed below and comprise at least 60 percent of the candidate's work duties. Hiring officials will prorate part-time experience. Facility Management Manage facility operations/maintenance activities for commercial office buildings, residential apartment buildings, and/or portfolios of multiple properties, including grounds Plan/prioritize maintenance activities Develop/oversee preventive and corrective maintenance and repair programs Project Management Initiate, plan, execute, and monitor construction, renovation, rehabilitation, and/or maintenance and repair projects Contract Management Draft scopes of work and technical specifications Manage contracts throughout their lifecycle Monitor/document contractor performance Supervision and Human Resources Management Supervise/lead teams of three or more staff in facility management, facility engineering, general engineering, architectural design, construction, or project management Assign work, set goals, and manage performance Justify position requests and write position descriptions Hire, train, and evaluate staff Resource Management Advocate for financial/other resources Prepare budget estimates/spending plans Manage budgets and track execution Management and Technical Expertise Apply technical and engineering operations and facility management best practices Use working knowledge of building systems and equipment, including Building Automation Systems (BAS) Manage projects that require specialized knowledge of engineering drawings and design Apply safety, physical security, and environmental safety and health practices and procedures Use Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and project management software Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The Department conducts extensive job analysis research to identify the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and other attributes that lead to successful performance in this position. Hiring officials will evaluate each candidate's education, work experience, and other qualifications against these KSA-based criteria. Knowledge Facility maintenance management planning Safety and physical security practices and procedures Environmental safety and health practices and procedures Acquisition and contracting procedures, including service contracts, contractor performance, and statements of work Basic facility accounting Computer applications relevant to facility management Facility management fundamentals Physical plant operations and technical systems Building structures and grounds Architectural and engineering drawings and facility condition inspections EEO policies Construction methods Human resource policies Building codes Facility warranty processes Machines and tools used in facility operations Cost analysis Principles and methods of real property inventory Familiarity with design applications such as CAD is desirable Specialized Skills Adaptability and resilience Leadership Interpersonal relationships and active listening Project and time management Working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds Motivating employees and others Managing laterally and upward Resource management Building and sustaining professional relationships Critical thinking and risk analysis Leading a multinational workforce Self-development Formulating cost and planning estimates Evaluating and interviewing personnel Using current computer technology Writing statements of work Interpreting and working with architectural and engineering drawings Managing installations Analyzing data Negotiating with internal and external stakeholders Following established safety regulations related to construction and renovation practices Interpreting building code compliance Reading and interpreting schematic diagrams General Skills Persuasion and negotiation Mathematics Monitoring and evaluating processes and performance Social perceptiveness and coordination with others Service orientation Managing financial, material, and personnel resources Learning strategies and active learning Instructing and training others Operations analysis and systems analysis Judgment and decision-making Systems evaluation and quality control analysis Operation monitoring and control Troubleshooting and installation Equipment maintenance and selection Applying science, technology, and design Repairing equipment and systems Customer service Communication Skills Candidates must demonstrate superior oral and written communication skills in English. Successful candidates consistently: Organize written work clearly and logically Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation Structure spoken communication effectively Deliver messages clearly, succinctly, and with a professional presence Speak clearly and concisely so colleagues, contractors, and stakeholders understand, including when briefing groups Communicate effectively even in noisy, operational, or otherwise distracting environments (e.g., construction sites, mechanical rooms, and work sites) Communicate effectively with individuals from varying backgrounds and levels of technical expertise Tolerance for an International Career Candidates must demonstrate a strong tolerance for and commitment to an international career, including: Accept assignments based on the needs of the Foreign Service Undertake frequent global travel Travel or work without family at hardship posts, during crises, or in support of mission-critical needs Essential Physical Requirements Some of the essential functions of the Facility Management position have a physically demanding component. Candidates must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. This position requires the ability to: Mental and Physical Endurance Maintain focus and attention for extended periods Work long or irregular hours as mission needs require Perform repetitive movements over sustained periods Stand for extended periods Take frequent or extended trips by plane, train, or car Communication Speak and write clearly so staff, colleagues, contractors, and stakeholders understand, including when addressing groups Communicate effectively in sometimes noisy or distracting environments Communicate effectively with individuals from varying backgrounds and levels of technical expertise Mobility and Access Walk moderate distances over varied surfaces Climb stairs and access a range of workstations and vehicles Climb stairs, ladders, and other inclines safely Crawl under, around, or over objects when required by the work Work in confined areas such as crawl spaces, attics, utility pits, tunnels, manholes, and other confined spaces Strength, Flexibility, and Dexterity Lift, push, pull, carry, and balance items as required by the position Climb ladders, sometimes while carrying light to moderate loads Bend, stretch, stoop, twist, and reach to access equipment and work areas Use hands and fingers to manipulate small objects, tools, and controls. Lift and maneuver equipment weighing up to 50 pounds Work from heights such as rooftops, ledges, and scaffolding, including climbing extension ladders and scaffolding Vision and Hearing See objects at near and far distances, and when required, in low-light or nighttime conditions Hear speech and other sounds clearly, including low-volume sounds or sounds in noisy environments, to perform duties safely Environmental Conditions Tolerate exposure to heat, cold, noise, dust, or pollution while performing job duties
Before you apply
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