Director of Operations

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Director of Operations is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of district facilities, transportation, food service, and sustainability efforts across all schools and property within the Lansing School District. This role ensures all facilities are safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible, supporting a high-quality learning environment for students and staff. The Director assists the COO with oversight of major capital projects, manages leases for rentals, and leads energy and sustainability initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Business Administration, Environmental Science, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in facilities or operations management, with at least 2 years in a leadership role, preferably within a K-12 educational setting.
• Familiarity with building systems, transportation logistics, and sustainability initiatives.
• Experience managing leases or rental agreements, with strong organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including district staff, vendors, and community members.
• Proficiency in relevant software for facilities management, energy tracking, and transportation logistics.

• Oversee the operations and maintenance of district facilities, including inspections, preventive maintenance, and repairs.
• Supervise the facilities specialists, ensuring the proper functioning of building systems like HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations across all district properties.

• Initiate, manage and oversee leases for district property rentals, ensuring alignment with district policies and effective use of resources.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation for all rental agreements.

• Oversee transportation staff, ensuring efficient and reliable services for students, staff, and district operations.
• Coordinate with the COO on transportation planning, routing, and scheduling to meet district needs.

• Lead energy management and sustainability programs in collaboration with the COO, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource conservation.
• Identify opportunities to implement sustainable practices across district facilities, aiming to reduce environmental impact and operational costs.
• Track and report on sustainability metrics, providing data-driven insights and recommendations.

• Assist in developing and implementing risk management strategies for district facilities, with a focus on health, safety, and environmental compliance.
• Ensure all facilities adhere to relevant regulations, including OSHA, ADA, and other local, state, and federal standards.

• Lead and support a team of facilities specialists, transportation staff, and sustainability staff, promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide training and professional development opportunities to enhance team members' skills and knowledge.

• Oversee Waste Water Management program in partnership with District vendor
• Oversee vehicle inventory and fuel card system
• Ability to define, implement, and coordinate new procedures to support the needs of the District
• Manage/oversee payment of District invoices, and manage budget of Operations Department for maximum return on investments

• Occasional travel between schools within the district is required.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as necessary, to respond to emergencies or support district needs.
• Physical ability to inspect facilities, including climbing ladders, walking long distances, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.

We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.

Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.

External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.

Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest.

Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).