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Facilities Managers

In the Facilities Managers occupation, workers plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. O*NET rates it as medium preparation, which usually means one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree. It leans on speaking, reading comprehension, and monitoring. The job can ask you to monitor the facility to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and well-maintained. Interest ratings put Enterprising on top at 5.4 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is ECR and the day leans toward leading, persuading and making business decisions. It tends to suit people who want leading, persuading and making business decisions, and it offers little for anyone seeking creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

Main tasks

  • Monitor the facility to ensure that it remains safe, secure, and well-maintained.
  • Oversee the maintenance and repair of machinery, equipment, and electrical and mechanical systems.
  • Oversee construction and renovation projects to improve efficiency and to ensure that facilities meet environmental, health, and security standards, and comply with government regulations.
  • Plan, administer, and control budgets for contracts, equipment, and supplies.
  • Participate in architectural and engineering planning and design, including space and installation management.
  • Set goals and deadlines for the department.

Skills

  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
  • You are comfortable relying on speaking and reading comprehension.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.6 out of 7 here.
  • You need to start within a few months, with no training period.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECR takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.

Preparation

Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Building Maintenance Superintendent
  • Building Services Supervisor
  • Facilities Coordinator
  • Facilities Director
  • Facilities Engineer

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.