Director of Facilities & Safety (2026-2027)

Overview

The Kew-Forest School, a PS–12 co-educational day school founded in 1918 in Forest Hills, NY, seeks an experienced and highly skilled individual to serve as Director of Facilities & Safety. Kew-Forest is proud to enroll an astonishingly diverse student body representative of Queens and New York City, including approximately nine percent of whom are international students. The Kew-Forest School promotes diversity in its hiring process and is committed to supporting its inclusive community by hiring culturally diverse faculty and staff to work with our equally diverse students, families, and employees.

The Director of Facilities & Safety (DFS) is a working, hands-on leader responsible for the daily care, maintenance, safety, and operational readiness of the School’s campus. Reporting to the Head of School and collaborating closely with the Director of Finance & HR, the DFS ensures that Kew-Forest’s physical environment and safety systems actively support teaching and learning in a safe, welcoming, and mission-aligned setting.

Kew-Forest occupies a historic, heavily used school building that requires continuous maintenance, repair, and problem-solving . As a result, this is not a desk-based or primarily supervisory position. The Director of Facilities & Safety is expected to work in the field each day, performing and overseeing minor and mid-range carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC repairs, responding to immediate needs, and leading by example alongside the facilities and safety team.

This role is not a fit for candidates who view facilities leadership as primarily administrative or removed from daily physical work. Kew-Forest is seeking a leader who values hands-on craftsmanship, takes pride in solving real-time building challenges, and sees daily maintenance and repair as essential to the care of students, faculty, and community. Candidates who prefer a more traditional, office-based management role should consider other opportunities.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Facilities & Operations

• Lead the daily, hands-on maintenance, repair, and operation of all campus buildings, grounds, and infrastructure, working in the field alongside the facilities team as needed;
• Personally perform and supervise minor and mid-range carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and general maintenance repairs, modeling best practices and safe work standards;
• Train, mentor, and manage facilities staff through direct, on-the-job leadership, including scheduling, task assignment, skills development, and performance evaluation;
• Diagnose and respond to immediate building needs and operational issues to minimize disruption to school life and ensure a safe, functional learning environment;
• Develop and implement practical preventive maintenance plans, informed by daily observation of building systems and use patterns, to extend the life of an aging facility;
• Coordinate campus operations and event logistics in collaboration with school leadership;
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, work orders, inspections, diagrams, and inventories;
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and procurement of equipment and supplies within budget parameters;
• Support renovation projects, capital improvements, and long-range campus master planning.

Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness

• Serve as the school’s lead administrator for campus safety, security, and emergency response.
• Develop, implement, and regularly update safety policies, procedures, and emergency protocols.
• Supervise contracted security personnel and oversee daily campus monitoring and access control.
• Monitor and maintain security systems including CCTV, access control, alarms, and emergency equipment.
• Respond to incidents and emergencies, coordinating with NYPD, FDNY, EMS, and other agencies as required.
• Oversee incident reporting, accident tracking, and recommendations for risk mitigation and prevention.
• Utilize emergency communication systems (e.g., mass notification platforms) as needed.

Compliance & Leadership

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., DOB, FDNY, OSHA, DOH, EPA).
• Represent the School at regulatory hearings or inspections when required.
• Serve as a member of the School’s emergency planning and incident management team.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of School, Director of Finance, and senior leadership on operational planning and budgeting.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with faculty, staff, students, families, trustees, and visitors.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; significant relevant experience in facilities, building systems, or skilled trades will be strongly considered in lieu of formal degrees;
• Valid NYS Security Officer license or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe;
• FDNY Certificate of Fitness (S-95) preferred or willingness to obtain;
• CPR, AED, and First Aid certification required or obtainable;
• Valid driver’s license with a record of safe driving.

Professional Experience

• 5–7 years of progressively responsible, hands-on experience in facilities management, building operations, safety, or security;
• Demonstrated ability to perform and supervise building repairs in an actively used, complex facility;
• Prior experience in a school, nonprofit, campus, healthcare, housing, or similarly mission-driven environment strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated knowledge of building systems, life-safety regulations, and emergency response protocols;
• Experience supervising staff and coordinating contractors or vendors in a working environment.

Skills & Dispositions

• Strong practical problem-solving skills and sound judgment in real-time situations;
• Ability to lead through example, remain calm under pressure, and make appropriate decisions during emergencies;
• Clear, respectful communicator able to work effectively with a diverse school community;
• High integrity, discretion, and accountability;
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and the mission and values of The Kew-Forest School;
• Willingness to work occasional extended hours or weekends as needed to support school operations or respond to urgent facility or safety issues.

Salary & Benefits

$100,000 - $135,000 commensurate with skills, hands-on experience, and scope of responsibility.

The School recognizes the intensity of this hands-on leadership role and is committed to supporting the Director with appropriate staffing, resources, and decision-making authority. The position includes a competitive benefits package, paid time off aligned with the school calendar, and long-term stability within a mission-driven community.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to the Director of Finance & HR at hr@kewforest.org and include “Director of Facilities & Safety” in the subject line of the email. No phone calls please.

The Kew-Forest School is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and the New York State Department of Education. The School is also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Independent School Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), and the Guild of Independent Schools of New York (GISNY).

To learn more about The Kew-Forest School, please visit our website: www.kewforest.org.

MISSION

We are The Kew-Forest School.

Our community nurtures lifelong learners from around the world.

Our educators inspire young people to think boldly and find their voices.

Our students support each other and explore thoughtfully as they shape the future.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The Kew-Forest School believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. The School prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, culture, background, physical or mental disability, or any other legally protected classes or classifications. No employee or job applicant will be discriminated against in recruitment, compensation, promotion, or termination practices.