Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Preventive Maintenance Supervisor plans, directs, and oversees all preventive and predictive maintenance activities to ensure the reliability, performance, and longevity of facility systems and equipment. This role leads the development and continuous improvement of a comprehensive maintenance program designed to maximize asset life cycles, minimize unplanned downtime, and reduce overall maintenance costs, while establishing priorities based on asset criticality and operational needs. The Supervisor provides leadership and daily management of the F&CP Preventive Maintenance Shop, including staff supervision, scheduling, and resource allocation, and ensures compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Additionally, the position analyzes equipment performance, implements proactive solutions to prevent failures, collaborates with operations and engineering, and oversees staff development, budgeting, and inventory to support efficient and reliable facility operations.

An ideal candidate is a proactive and detail-oriented maintenance leader with strong experience in preventive and predictive maintenance programs. They demonstrate the ability to optimize asset performance, reduce downtime, and extend equipment life through data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. This individual is an effective supervisor who can lead, develop, and manage technical teams while prioritizing work based on operational needs and asset criticality. They possess strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills and are committed to safety, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure efficient and reliable facility operations.

Workplace Requirements

This is an essential on-campus position, requiring all duties to be performed in person on campus. Standard hours are Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM, though schedules may change based on operational needs. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. As an essential role, the employee must be on-site during emergencies or crises to ensure continuity of critical operations and remain accessible to leadership to support institutional functions. After-hours work or work outside the regular schedule may be required, and the employee must be available for “on-call” scheduling to respond to issues affecting campus operations.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Climbing stairs, ladders, scaffolding, and navigating confined areas with piping or wiring obstructions as needed to access equipment

• Moderate to heavy physical activity, including bending, stooping, climbing, balancing, standing, and walking for up to 8 hours per day

• Occasional entry into utility tunnels and other confined spaces

Work Environment and Safety

• Exposure to high-pressure boilers and steam piping, high-voltage electricity, high noise levels, rotating machinery, and other potentially hazardous equipment

• Work in mechanical rooms, tunnels, labs, attics, crawl spaces, non-conditioned spaces, and dusty, dirty, or wet conditions

• Personal protective equipment (hearing protection, safety shoes, safety glasses) is required

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the hourly rate is $33.00 - $38.00, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Hourly, contingent upon qualifications and experience. Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate’s degree

  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

• 3+ years of experience in facilities and preventive maintenance, including supervising trades and working with mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems using standard tools and troubleshooting equipment

  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills:

• Advanced technical expertise in repair, diagnostics, and safe use of mechanical, electrical, and HVAC tools and equipment

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, for clear instruction, reporting, and collaboration

• Leadership and mentoring abilities to guide, train, and develop team members

• Effective multitasking and prioritization to manage multiple projects and operational demands

Preferences

• Bachelor’s or trade school degree in a related field

• Journeyman qualifications or equivalent in a technical craft (electrician, mechanic, HVAC, plumbing, or pipefitting)

• 6 years of supervisory experience in maintenance, plant operations, manufacturing, or other technical environments, with demonstrated team leadership

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to work independently and solve complex problems

• Working knowledge of transfer switches, bus ducts, and motors; ability to read CRT screens and indicator lights accurately

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; ability to build and maintain positive relationships with campus stakeholders

• Self-motivated and customer-focused, able to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities effectively

• Proficient with computers, including word processing, spreadsheets, and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)

• Valid Texas Driver’s License (or ability to obtain within 30 days), with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents in the past 36 months and no DWI/DUI convictions or deferred dispositions in the past 5 years

Essential Functions

• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to maintenance staff to achieve departmental and University goals, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

• Partner on the development and implementation of a comprehensive safety program in partnership with Environmental Health and Safety to ensure a safe working environment and compliance with regulatory standards

• Monitor, train, and coordinate maintenance personnel who may work outside of typical business hours to ensure tasks, work orders, and preventive maintenance activities are completed efficiently and on schedule

• Manage the preventive maintenance program in partnership with departmental stakeholders, establish team priorities for assigned tasks, and ensure optimal asset reliability and performance

• Mentor peers and team members, providing coaching and support to enhance technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and professional growth

• Plan and coordinate labor, materials, and work order completion to ensure smooth operations and timely project execution

• Coordinate with vendors, ensure timely delivery of materials, and oversee contracted work to meet quality and deadline expectations

• Instruct, demonstrate, and monitor employees in diagnosing equipment issues and developing effective corrective action plans for complex technical problems

• Contribute to and support ongoing maintenance training initiatives to build team expertise and maintain high operational standards

• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental objectives and University operations

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

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The Preventive Maintenance Supervisor plans, directs, and oversees all preventive and predictive maintenance activities to ensure the reliability, performance, and longevity of facility systems and equipment. This role leads the development and continuous improvement of a comprehensive maintenance program designed to maximize asset life cycles, minimize unplanned downtime, and reduce overall maintenance costs, while establishing priorities based on asset criticality and operational needs. The Supervisor provides leadership and daily management of the F&CP Preventive Maintenance Shop, including staff supervision, scheduling, and resource allocation, and ensures compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Additionally, the position analyzes equipment performance, implements proactive solutions to prevent failures, collaborates with operations and engineering, and oversees staff development, budgeting, and inventory to support efficient and reliable facility operations.