Director of Facility Services - Permanent
About the role
Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is one of the largest school divisions in Alberta, serving the education needs of approximately 17,750 students in 43 schools. Every day, the staff and students of EIPS are encouraged to pursue opportunities to grow and discover their passions in life. We pride ourselves on providing staff and students with the tools to achieve success by offering dynamic programming, current resources, and practical professional learning opportunities.
Elk Island Public Schools Central Services building is located in Sherwood Park, at 683 Wye Road. Providing services for the Division, Central Services is comprised of eight departments, in addition to the Board of Trustees. The departments include Education Executive, Communication Services, Facility Services, Student Transportation, Human Resources, Financial Services, Supports for Students and Information Technologies.
The Director, Facilities is accountable for providing leadership and strategic direction to the Facilities Department in the development, management, and maintenance of buildings and services for Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS), which includes ensuring learning and working environments are welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe. The position is responsible for cost-effective facility operations, energy management, preventive maintenance, emergency preparedness, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. The Director also provides oversight for capital planning, risk management, asset management, negotiations, complex contracts and projects, and advancing and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships. The position works collaboratively with senior leadership, school administrators and external stakeholders while managing the technical and financial complexities and requirements of EIPS facilities and management of approximately 2.1 million square feet of building inventory with an estimated replacement value of $800 million.
This position is open to internal and external candidates. Submit a cover letter and resume for consideration. Key Activities Strategic Planning and Capital Improvements
- Provide long-range leadership for the Division’s infrastructure portfolio in alignment with the EIPS Education Plan and provincial capital-planning frameworks.
- Oversee the preparation and strategic review of the Ten-Year Facilities Plan and Three-Year Capital Plan, ensuring compliance with the School Capital Manual and readiness for funding consideration.
- Ensure accurate analysis of facility capacity, utilization, and condition data to identify and prioritize capital needs, and lead value-scoping, modular-classroom, and joint-use planning activities in collaboration with municipalities, Alberta Education, and Alberta Infrastructure and to ensure projects are funding-ready under provincial criteria.
- Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and the Board on enrolment growth, boundary adjustments, program accommodation, and facility optimization to support data-informed investment decisions.
- Oversee division participation in long-range municipal and regional land-use planning initiatives to ensure alignment between community growth and future school infrastructure needs.
Asset Management, Operations and Maintenance
- Oversee the performance, maintenance, and renewal of school and support facilities to ensure safe, sustainable, and reliable learning environments.
- Provide administrative oversight for Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal (IMR), Capital Maintenance and Renewal (CMR), and Plant Operations and Maintenance (PO&M) programs to extend asset life and manage deferred maintenance.
- Ensure effective preventive-maintenance programs, Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal (IMR) and Capital Maintenance and Renewal (CMR) projects, and Plant Operations and Maintenance activities are implemented and monitored by departmental leadership to sustain asset reliability, extend lifecycle performance, and maintain safe, functional learning environments.
- Ensure compliance with building codes, environmental regulations, and Occupational Health and Safety requirements across all sites.
- Oversee lease agreements and community use of school facilities in accordance with division policies, joint-use agreements, and Alberta Education leasing regulations to maximize utilization, support community access, and ensure appropriate cost recovery.
Project and Financial Management
- Oversee project scopes, budgets, and financial performance in collaboration with Finance and Alberta Infrastructure, ensuring alignment with division priorities and funding requirements.
- Provide assurance that capital and operational budgets are developed, monitored, and reported in compliance with provincial funding sources (PO&M, IMR, CMR, and Capital) and Alberta Education standards.
- Ensure compliance with procurement regulations, contractual obligations, and applicable legal, environmental, and occupational-health-and-safety standards throughout all phases of project design and construction.
- Engage and provide strategic direction to architects, engineers, and consultants to ensure quality, safety, and regulatory compliance in project delivery.
- Lead facility risk management, emergency preparedness, and business continuity planning to safeguard Division assets and operations.
Team Leadership and Community Relations
- Provide vision, mentorship, and accountability for department staff, promoting a respectful, inclusive, and safety-focused workplace.
- Champion professional growth, succession planning, and workforce-capacity development within Facilities, ensuring effective systems are in place for staff performance evaluation and continuous improvement.
- Cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead strategic communication with stakeholders and the public regarding capital projects, accommodation decisions, and emergent issues.
Education EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum Required: A degree in engineering, construction management, architecture, business, or related areas.
- Preferred: A relevant master's degree and/or P.Eng designation.
Experience
- Minimum Required: Eight years of progressive facilities management experience in the public or non-profit sector.
- Preferred: Facilities management experience in a school division.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex and comprehensive facility development projects with diverse stakeholders and requirements.
- Financial management experience and knowledge related to capital projects and operating budgets with an understanding of budgeting, cost controls, and financial systems.
- Knowledge of building construction methods, materials, and building envelope design fundamentals.
- Knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, and safety standards.
- Superior listening, verbal and written communication skills; ability to write reports, prepare business cases and presentations.
- Proven ability to lead strategic transformation initiatives, continuous improvement programs, and technology adoption initiatives
- Excellent interpersonal skills and abilities establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with staff and other internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong planning and project management skills, with demonstrated success in delivering projects.
- Demonstrated experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and complex service portfolios.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to work under pressure and manage multiple competing priorities.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to engage, mentor, delegate, and manage employees effectively.
- Strong technical and computer/information technology skills in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and emerging software.
Qualifications, Certifications And Designations
- Minimum Required: Certificate in Project Management.
- Preferred: Professional engineer designation (P.Eng.) and a member of APEGGA in good standing. Certifications in Maintenance Management (IAM, NAMS, PEMAC or IPWEA), Asset management, Infrastructure Planning, or Enterprise Resource Management.
For further information, contact Weylin Gilewich by email at . Only online applications will be accepted.
Elk Island Public Schools appreciates and considers all applications; however, we only contact candidates who are selected for interviews.
If you require assistance with the application system, please call Apply to Education at 1-877-900-5627 or email info@applytoeducation.com.
About Elk Island Public Schools
In EIPS, we are committed to preparing children for the future. With excellent teaching standards, diverse and responsive programs, current technology, and well-maintained facilities, there is no better place to begin your child's education than in one of our exceptional schools.
Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is one of Alberta's largest school systems, serving approximately 17,500 students in 42 schools. We're proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.
Director of Facility Services - Permanent
About the role
Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is one of the largest school divisions in Alberta, serving the education needs of approximately 17,750 students in 43 schools. Every day, the staff and students of EIPS are encouraged to pursue opportunities to grow and discover their passions in life. We pride ourselves on providing staff and students with the tools to achieve success by offering dynamic programming, current resources, and practical professional learning opportunities.
Elk Island Public Schools Central Services building is located in Sherwood Park, at 683 Wye Road. Providing services for the Division, Central Services is comprised of eight departments, in addition to the Board of Trustees. The departments include Education Executive, Communication Services, Facility Services, Student Transportation, Human Resources, Financial Services, Supports for Students and Information Technologies.
The Director, Facilities is accountable for providing leadership and strategic direction to the Facilities Department in the development, management, and maintenance of buildings and services for Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS), which includes ensuring learning and working environments are welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe. The position is responsible for cost-effective facility operations, energy management, preventive maintenance, emergency preparedness, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. The Director also provides oversight for capital planning, risk management, asset management, negotiations, complex contracts and projects, and advancing and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships. The position works collaboratively with senior leadership, school administrators and external stakeholders while managing the technical and financial complexities and requirements of EIPS facilities and management of approximately 2.1 million square feet of building inventory with an estimated replacement value of $800 million.
This position is open to internal and external candidates. Submit a cover letter and resume for consideration. Key Activities Strategic Planning and Capital Improvements
- Provide long-range leadership for the Division’s infrastructure portfolio in alignment with the EIPS Education Plan and provincial capital-planning frameworks.
- Oversee the preparation and strategic review of the Ten-Year Facilities Plan and Three-Year Capital Plan, ensuring compliance with the School Capital Manual and readiness for funding consideration.
- Ensure accurate analysis of facility capacity, utilization, and condition data to identify and prioritize capital needs, and lead value-scoping, modular-classroom, and joint-use planning activities in collaboration with municipalities, Alberta Education, and Alberta Infrastructure and to ensure projects are funding-ready under provincial criteria.
- Provide strategic advice to senior leadership and the Board on enrolment growth, boundary adjustments, program accommodation, and facility optimization to support data-informed investment decisions.
- Oversee division participation in long-range municipal and regional land-use planning initiatives to ensure alignment between community growth and future school infrastructure needs.
Asset Management, Operations and Maintenance
- Oversee the performance, maintenance, and renewal of school and support facilities to ensure safe, sustainable, and reliable learning environments.
- Provide administrative oversight for Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal (IMR), Capital Maintenance and Renewal (CMR), and Plant Operations and Maintenance (PO&M) programs to extend asset life and manage deferred maintenance.
- Ensure effective preventive-maintenance programs, Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal (IMR) and Capital Maintenance and Renewal (CMR) projects, and Plant Operations and Maintenance activities are implemented and monitored by departmental leadership to sustain asset reliability, extend lifecycle performance, and maintain safe, functional learning environments.
- Ensure compliance with building codes, environmental regulations, and Occupational Health and Safety requirements across all sites.
- Oversee lease agreements and community use of school facilities in accordance with division policies, joint-use agreements, and Alberta Education leasing regulations to maximize utilization, support community access, and ensure appropriate cost recovery.
Project and Financial Management
- Oversee project scopes, budgets, and financial performance in collaboration with Finance and Alberta Infrastructure, ensuring alignment with division priorities and funding requirements.
- Provide assurance that capital and operational budgets are developed, monitored, and reported in compliance with provincial funding sources (PO&M, IMR, CMR, and Capital) and Alberta Education standards.
- Ensure compliance with procurement regulations, contractual obligations, and applicable legal, environmental, and occupational-health-and-safety standards throughout all phases of project design and construction.
- Engage and provide strategic direction to architects, engineers, and consultants to ensure quality, safety, and regulatory compliance in project delivery.
- Lead facility risk management, emergency preparedness, and business continuity planning to safeguard Division assets and operations.
Team Leadership and Community Relations
- Provide vision, mentorship, and accountability for department staff, promoting a respectful, inclusive, and safety-focused workplace.
- Champion professional growth, succession planning, and workforce-capacity development within Facilities, ensuring effective systems are in place for staff performance evaluation and continuous improvement.
- Cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead strategic communication with stakeholders and the public regarding capital projects, accommodation decisions, and emergent issues.
Education EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum Required: A degree in engineering, construction management, architecture, business, or related areas.
- Preferred: A relevant master's degree and/or P.Eng designation.
Experience
- Minimum Required: Eight years of progressive facilities management experience in the public or non-profit sector.
- Preferred: Facilities management experience in a school division.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex and comprehensive facility development projects with diverse stakeholders and requirements.
- Financial management experience and knowledge related to capital projects and operating budgets with an understanding of budgeting, cost controls, and financial systems.
- Knowledge of building construction methods, materials, and building envelope design fundamentals.
- Knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, and safety standards.
- Superior listening, verbal and written communication skills; ability to write reports, prepare business cases and presentations.
- Proven ability to lead strategic transformation initiatives, continuous improvement programs, and technology adoption initiatives
- Excellent interpersonal skills and abilities establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with staff and other internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong planning and project management skills, with demonstrated success in delivering projects.
- Demonstrated experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and complex service portfolios.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to work under pressure and manage multiple competing priorities.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to engage, mentor, delegate, and manage employees effectively.
- Strong technical and computer/information technology skills in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and emerging software.
Qualifications, Certifications And Designations
- Minimum Required: Certificate in Project Management.
- Preferred: Professional engineer designation (P.Eng.) and a member of APEGGA in good standing. Certifications in Maintenance Management (IAM, NAMS, PEMAC or IPWEA), Asset management, Infrastructure Planning, or Enterprise Resource Management.
For further information, contact Weylin Gilewich by email at . Only online applications will be accepted.
Elk Island Public Schools appreciates and considers all applications; however, we only contact candidates who are selected for interviews.
If you require assistance with the application system, please call Apply to Education at 1-877-900-5627 or email info@applytoeducation.com.
About Elk Island Public Schools
In EIPS, we are committed to preparing children for the future. With excellent teaching standards, diverse and responsive programs, current technology, and well-maintained facilities, there is no better place to begin your child's education than in one of our exceptional schools.
Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is one of Alberta's largest school systems, serving approximately 17,500 students in 42 schools. We're proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.