Director of Facilities
Silicon Valley International School (INTL) is the premier international school on the West Coast. It offers French, Chinese, and German language programs for Preschool through 12th grade and the full continuum of the International Baccalaureate—the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programme.
INTL is situated on three campuses within minutes of each other. The lower school campuses are located in Palo Alto, CA, and the Early Years & Upper School programs are located in Menlo Park, CA, in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a PS-12th grade private, independent, international school, we have an enrollment of approximately 850 students. Our students come primarily from the San Francisco Bay Peninsula area, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties.
The School’s mission: Silicon Valley International School’s focus on inquiry and bilingualism empowers young minds to embrace complexity, think critically from multiple perspectives, and demonstrate integrity and sensitivity across cultures.
Position Overview
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Facilities (“the Director”) is charged with managing the school’s plant services, facility use, maintenance and renovation of buildings, grounds, landscaping, custodial services, construction activities, and security systems. All management and oversight of the school’s physical assets and properties is performed from an operational and strategic perspective.
The Director also serves as the school’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator, OSHA safety officer, and point of contact for all regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with all applicable codes, laws, and regulations.
The Director identifies needs for planned future facility modifications and additions and is responsible for ensuring adherence to an established maintenance program while responding to unexpected, immediate maintenance needs.
Finally, the Director leads the school’s sustainability efforts as the school continues to lower its carbon footprint.
This position will report to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer. The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $170,000, depending on academic attainment and relevant work experience.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
Leadership Responsibilities
- Provides leadership for the School’s facility assets and operational needs, driven by the school’s Strategic Plan and daily operational activities;
- Provides leadership, supervision, and support for all landscaping, security, and custodial services. Develops campus maintenance standards to ensure quality control. Encourages staff professional development through training, goal setting, and performance reviews. Determines the need for and hires temporary employees;
- Provides the site directors guidance and leadership, ensuring all health and safety requirements are met;
- Provides reports on all areas of the physical plant, bringing technical expertise, advice, and experience in building and grounds management, planned maintenance, energy management, and maximizing the use of facilities;
- Manages the daily needs for all building and construction projects;
- Creates, oversees, and manages all aspects of the equipment replacement and building maintenance program funded by the school’s facilities budget and PPRSM reserve;
- Works directly with other administrators to understand and support the evolving facilities needs related to personnel changes, program development, and curriculum growth;
- Investigates and resolves building maintenance issues, concerns, and trends;
- Formulates long-range maintenance and facility goals;
Facility Management Responsibilities
- Protects, maintains, and enhances the facilities and related assets of the school in a safe and efficient manner, including buildings, grounds, furniture, fixtures, fire safety and security equipment, and maintenance equipment and supplies. Safeguards related plans, documents, and files;
- Stays abreast of the changing needs of INTL’s curricular, co-curricular, and camp programs in order to respond in a timely manner to any necessary changes in facilities or operating services;
- Partners with the Principals and Human Resources to rectify any ADA needs or accommodations required to meet compliance regulations;
- Develops staff training programs to ensure that the school remains in compliance with these regulations;
- Solicits bids for evaluation. Recommends outside contractors, when needed, and monitors their performance;
- Oversees purchasing and inventory of equipment and supplies for maintenance, grounds, security, and custodial services, ensuring adequate inventory of all necessary supplies and parts;
- Actively works to identify and implement energy-saving measures;
- Collaborates with department leaders regarding events, ensuring facilities staffing coverage is scheduled as requested, participating in the event planning and set-up, etc.
- Leads the facilities team by example, including working side by side with the team to complete projects (maintenance, set-up, cleaning, etc.)
- Other duties as assigned.
Other Responsibilities
- Evaluates the school’s security program on a continuing basis, recommending and leading changes as needed. Works with administrators, faculty, and staff to coordinate any special security needs necessary for meetings or school events. Takes a leadership role in the safety and emergency operations of INTL, including planning and drills. Participates in the activities of the school’s Safety Committee;
- Collaborates in managing all health and safety processes, best practices, supplies, and training, as well as compliance with all local, state, and national agencies. Partners with the Head of School, the Division Heads, and other administrators as needed;
- Interprets and directs the school’s safety program to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental and safety regulations, including OSHA, EPA, etc;
- Develops and implements strategies to minimize property loss. Manages distribution and collection of keys;
- Jointly with the Chief Financial Officer, develops operating and capital budgets for facilities, including annual, long-term, and project budgets. Responsible for cost and budget control;
- Reviews purchase orders for budget, choice of vendor, proper approval, and bids or quotes when required;
- Develops project specifications, solicits project bids, and consults, as necessary, with trade and contractor representatives for school repairs and maintenance;
- Works with the school’s technology staff to plan and adopt hardware, software, and associated training related to technology upgrades that support the school’s physical plant operations;
- Manages additional projects or responsibilities as directed by the CFO or Head of School.
Qualifications
- A college degree is preferred, and 10-15 years of previously related experience is required.
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Must have TB clearance prior to the start of employment and current vaccinations as required by licensing or other state-required legislation
- Ability to obtain the O.S.H.A. certification within 90 days of employment and apply working knowledge of O.S.H.A. requirements to your daily schedule.
- Must pass federal and state criminal background checks and have the ability to work in a licensed daycare facility.
- Must possess a valid CA driver’s license and maintain automobile insurance at all times.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
- Ability to frequently lift equipment and materials weighing 30 pounds or more is required.
- Crawl, climb ladders, twist, turn, and reach in completing a variety of job duties.
- Work outside in hot or cold conditions for extended periods of time
- Work in a wide variety of environments as found in all areas of the school
- Able to operate vehicles and equipment.
Compensation and benefits
Our compensation is based on education and years of experience. The salary range for this full-time position for the 2026-2027 fiscal year is $130,000 to $170,000. We offer an excellent and comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee only
- Employer-paid short-term & long-term disability, life insurance, and an employee assistance program
- 10 days of paid sick leave and 6 weeks of paid time off
- 7 days of paid holidays during the school year
- Professional development tailored to teacher needs/interests and aligned with school mission
- 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer match after 2 years of service
The above compensation and benefits are applicable to full-time employees.
How to Apply
Please submit your résumé along with a thoughtfully crafted cover letter explaining why this role appeals to you, how your experience and skills align with the position, and what you would bring to our school community. We also invite you to share any additional qualifications, accomplishments, or experiences you would like us to consider as we evaluate your candidacy. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who submit a cover letter.
Please, no walk-in inquiries, phone calls, or submissions from recruitment agencies.
Silicon Valley International School is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all applicants and makes employment decisions based on merit. INTL prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristics or information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. INTL will afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees as to all terms and conditions of employment, including, without limitation, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, transfer, discipline, and termination.