Facilities Maintenance Specialist

If youre a skilled trades professional with broad building maintenance experience, the City of Des Moines offers an opportunity to put your full skillset to work. Were seeking a Facilities Maintenance Specialist who is confident operating commercial vehicles, working at heights, and handling a wide range of trades-including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, and mechanical systems. This is not a single-trade position. Its a role for a versatile, hands-on professional who can troubleshoot complex facility issues, operate specialized equipment, and take ownership of keeping City buildings safe, functional, and well-maintained. From responding to urgent repairs to supporting preventative maintenance and facility improvements, your work will directly support essential public services.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled. Applicants that apply by March 13, 2026, will have first consideration. To Apply: Complete the online application at https://desmoineswa.applicantpro.com/jobs and attach a resume and cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements. If you complete all the application materials and meet the minimum qualifications, you may be invited to do an in-person skills assessment as the next step in the process prior to an interview invitation.

Nature of Work

Under the general direction of the Public Works Maintenance Superintendent, this position performs skilled and technical work. Responsibilities include performing manual and semi-skilled tasks in construction, alteration, modification, maintenance, and repair of City-owned buildings, structures, offices, facilities, and associated mechanical and electrical systems. This position is primarily assigned to the Facilities Division but may assist other divisions as needed. In addition, this position is responsible for helping coordinate the organization of maintenance activities for Facilities.

Essential Functions

• Coordinates the activities and maintenance of the Citys buildings, structures, and offices, along with associated mechanical and electrical systems.
• Works closely with the Facilities Lead to provide assistance and leadership for the maintenance and improvement of the Citys facilities.
• Performs building trades work, reads and draws sketches of new carpentry projects or additions, installs and repairs drywall, paints, stains, and textures walls, fences, furniture, ceilings, and metal surfaces, removes graffiti, replaces and seals glass panes, installs mini-blinds or other window treatments, makes repairs to roofing, drains, and gutters, pours concrete for securing equipment, fence posts, and general repairs, lays and repairs flooring, carpet, laminate, and tile, sets up and breaks down metal scaffolding.
• Performs responsible installation, troubleshooting, and repair of electrical and electronic systems, machinery, motors, devices, controls, and related systems, installs and tests circuits, connects emergency generators to transfer switches, connects electrical wire harnesses to modular furniture, tests security alarms and panels, sets up computer peripherals.
• Participates in troubleshooting and repairing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, operates boilers and monitors temperatures and pressures, monitors computerized control systems and corrects airflow and temperature problems.
• Participates in installing new plumbing fixtures and piping and repairing a variety of plumbing fixtures and equipment.
• Participates in installing and repairing furniture, assembles and reconfigures modular furniture and panel systems, installs ergonomic equipment on desks and work surfaces, delivers, picks up, and stores furniture.
• Participates in performing locksmith duties, performs minor repairs on doors, gates, and moveable walls, re-keys locks on doors and equipment, installs new doors, door closers, and door hardware, troubleshoots and fixes electronic door locks and card readers, opens doors and facilities using master keys.
• Performs preventative maintenance and minor adjustments to equipment.
• Organizes and assembles materials and equipment necessary for tasks.
• Maintains accurate records and completes service requests.
• Assists in the development of programs to improve efficiency or to track activities.
• Assists other divisions with tasks as needed.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative, effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the general public using principles of good customer service.
• Reports for scheduled work with regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to being assigned to work in other functional areas to cover absences, relieve peak work periods, or balance the workload.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of electrical and mechanical system repairs and maintenance.
• Routine plumbing, carpentry, and construction repairs.
• Operation of power and hand tools.
• Cleaners, chemicals, equipment supplies, and techniques necessary to clean buildings and furnishings.
• First Aid and applicable general safety practices, rules, and procedures.
• General equipment repair and maintenance.
• Ability to detect and repair a variety of building defects and equipment failures, including troubleshooting common and unusual building maintenance problems.
• Use and operation of tools and equipment related to assignment.
• Follow oral instruction and read, interpret, follow, and explain written instructions.
• Use initiative and sound judgment within established guidelines.
• Operate City vehicles, including commercial vehicles, observing legal and defensive driving practices.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operate computer equipment and software applications related to assignment.
• Work as a team member in a challenging, changing environment.
• Operate equipment safely and efficiently.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public.
• Perform heavy manual labor at times for extended periods of time under varying weather conditions.
• Effectively plan work, organize equipment and supplies, and properly and safely lead, train, and oversee the work of a small work crew for task accomplishment.
• Read, follow complex written instructions, and perform basic mathematical computations.
• Climb ladders, walk, kneel, crouch, and stand for long periods of time.
• Work in confined spaces.
• Understand instructions and follow standards, guidelines, procedures, and policies.
• Learn and demonstrate ability to become proficient in new procedures, operations, systems, and equipment.
• Work independently.
• Provide work direction when necessary.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from high school, GED, vocational school, or equivalent, and Four years of increasingly responsible experience in building maintenance and repair, and/or building trades, or
• Any combination of experience and training which demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Graduation from a two-year college with major course work in building maintenance, or
• Certificate of Completion of a specialized maintenance program from a vocational technical college, desired.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Washington State Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL) and be able to maintain throughout employment.
• Pre-employment random and post-accident drug and alcohol testing are required for this position.
• Successful completion of pre-employment background check and criminal history check.
• Possession of a good driving record and ability to maintain throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid First Aid/CPR card or obtain within three months of hire date and ability to maintain throughout employment.
• Possession of a current Washington State Department of Transportation Traffic Flagging Card and ability to maintain throughout employment.
• Because of the known effects of tobacco use, the City of Des Moines does not hire applicants who use tobacco products.

Working Conditions and Physical Abilities

• The incumbent works in a shop and field environment.
• Work may be on 24-hour call, day and night, indoors or outdoors, and may be hazardous.
• Work is primarily performed in an outdoor environment in a variety of weather conditions and for an extended period of time.
• The work environment may include uneven and unstable walking surfaces, tripping hazards, moderate noise levels, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, chemicals, pesticides, traffic, and heavy equipment.
• The physical activities include the use of finger and hand dexterity and require the ability to sustain repetitive hand motion associated with the operation of hand and power tools and other equipment.
• The use of eye sight to inspect work sites, read, and follow instructions and regulations is required.
• Incumbent must also have the ability to hear and understand verbal and/or written instructions, the ability to communicate.
• The position requires the ability to drive to various work locations.
• The position is subject to prolonged physical exertion and hazardous road conditions.
• The incumbent must have the ability to endure periods of working in a bucket truck at heights of up to 30 feet from the ground level and the ability to walk, bend, kneel, dig, for extended periods, crouch, reach, lift, carry, climb ladders, stand, sit, etc., in order to perform the duties associated with the job.
• The incumbent will occasionally lift, push, and pull objects up to 50 pounds single-handedly and 200 pounds with assistance.
• Equal Opportunity Employer
• The City of Des Moines is committed to hiring a diverse workforce and all qualified applicants, including all ethnic backgrounds and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.
• The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.
• In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an employer is obligated to make a reasonable accommodation only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability.
• In general, it is the responsibility of the applicant or employee with a disability to inform the employer that an accommodation is needed to participate in the application process to perform essential job functions or to receive equal benefits and privileges of employment.