Assistant Director of Facilities

Assistant Director of Facilities

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine

Position Type: Full-Time, On-Site

About the Organization

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and, spanning 121,000 square feet, stands as one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Our complex 10.5-acre close includes the historic Gothic Revival cathedral, six auxiliary buildings and lush gardens and greenspace.

Position Summary

We are seeking an Assistant Director focused on mechanical proficiency and hands-on site operations to maintain and preserve this legendary landmark. The Assistant Director of Facilities provides direct, on-the-ground management of the physical plant, mechanical systems, and structural elements of the Cathedral and its surrounding campus. This role requires a leader who is highly skilled in technical trades and balances administrative supervision with a hands-on approach to diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining critical infrastructure.

Core Responsibilities

• Hands-on Mechanical Execution: Diagnose, troubleshoot, and directly perform or oversee repairs on critical campus systems, including commercial HVAC systems, our two steam boilers, complex historic plumbing networks, and electrical infrastructure.
• Team Supervision: Directly lead, schedule, and work alongside the Cathedral’s team of porters and maintenance specialists to ensure daily work orders are completed safely and efficiently, while demonstrating maintenance and repair skills to staff.
• Contractor Management: Supervise external trade contractors and specialty preservationists during repairs, ensuring compliance with local NYC building codes and landmark preservation guidelines.
• Emergency Response: Serve as a primary on-call point of contact for campus facility emergencies, including weather events, mechanical failures, and urgent structural needs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of facilities maintenance experience, with a clear history of progressive supervisory experience.
• Advanced proficiency preferred in at least two core building trades: HVAC/steam systems, commercial plumbing, or electrical systems.
• Proven experience managing facilities within historic structures, stone architecture, or large institutional campuses.
• Active NYC certifications (e.g., FDNY Certificates of Fitness, EPA Universal HVAC Certification) are highly preferred.
• Ability to climb stairs, navigate scaffolding, work at heights, and lift up to 50 lbs.

Key Relationships

• The Assistant Director, Facilities reports to the Director, Facilities and Capital Projects; collaborates with the Manager, Facilities Maintenance; and supervises a team of 10 Maintenance Specialists and Porters. In addition, the Assistant Director needs to be accessible and responsive to colleagues and residents who make up the department’s clientele.

Work Schedule: to be determined, though likely to include one weekend day.

Salary range

·     $110,000-$130,000

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are guided by our mission, organizational standards, and job requirements, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military/veteran status, criminal conviction record, caregiver status, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.