Job Details

Facilities Specialist

Powell's Books is seeking a Facilities Specialist, preferably with a carpentry background, to help improve and maintain the iconic atmosphere of our stores. In this role, you'll contribute to the upkeep and enhancement of our properties, ensuring every detail elevates the customer experience. As a Facilities Specialist, your responsibilities will include supporting the carpentry team and helping with various improvement projects throughout our facilities. You'll also collaborate across trades such as maintenance and fixture support. If you're a proactive problem-solver with a sharp eye for detail and a dedication to quality, we'd love for you to join our team! Powell's Books is known worldwide as a premier independent bookstore and an icon in the Portland community. We're committed to fostering a culture and environment of inclusion, empowerment, and respect a place where everyone can show up fully as themselves and do their best work every day.

Some benefits Powell's offers to all full-time employees:

• Generous healthcare plan (medical, vision, and dental)
• 401(k) savings plan
• Education benefit
• Childcare subsidy
• Substantial employee discount that is also available to your significant other, children, parents, and siblings
• Book borrowing privileges

Schedule: The regular schedule will be Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm, for a 37.5-hour work-week.

Pay Range: $19.50 per hour, or more, depending on experience.

Closing Date: Sunday, May 10th, 2026

Additional Information: Please include a cover letter with a brief description of relevant skills and experience and the reason why you're interested in the position.

Position Summary: The Facilities Specialist performs and/or coordinates the maintenance, repair, cleaning and enhancement of Powell's facilities and specializes in one or more maintenance or building skills to facilitate department goals. The Specialist performs and/or coordinates the installation of equipment and/or the fabrication of fixtures and other items necessary for a clean and functional shopping and working environment. In accordance with their area of skill the Specialist plans and evaluates work of contractors and service vendors in specific trades. They assist the Facilities Manager in scheduling and prioritizing the daily work of the Facilities Department. The Specialist works within established parameters and has latitude in decision-making authority to solve problems as they arise. Spending decisions made by Specialist over a certain threshold shall be approved in advance by Facilities Manager. Reports to the Facilities Manager.

Essential Functions:

• Addresses facilities problems on a daily basis. Specializes in one or more trades including, but not limited to, carpentry, locksmith, electrical and HVAC, and acts as a resource for other members of the facilities staff.
• Performs and/or coordinates cleaning, maintenance, repair and enhancement of Powell's facilities.
• Assesses a wide variety of facilities problems and determines best solutions.
• Acts as facilities contact for specific projects and assigned location(s).
• Assures timely and useful communication with outside vendors and inside customers regarding what, when, and how work is to be done. Provides information to Facilities Manager on priorities and work assignments.
• Within area(s) of specialty, evaluates projects and determines whether outside resources will be needed.
• Acts as a resource to other members of the Facilities staff.
• Requests and evaluates proposals from independent contractors and vendors and makes recommendations to Facilities Manager. Coordinates and evaluates work of independent contractors to ensure on-site repairs and services are performed safely and with as little impact as possible on the shopping and working environment. Evaluates finished products and services of vendors and independent contractors. Serves as company liaison with one or more service providers, including but not limited to Janitorial, Pest Control and HVAC.
• Maintains a high level of client service and communications with customers, stakeholders and trade associates. Provides information to Facilities Manager on priorities and work assignments.
• Balances daily urgencies with on-going tasks.
• Assists supervisor in creation and application of the preventative maintenance schedule.
• During specific, scheduled periods outside of normal work hours shall be available on-call at direction of Facilities Manager for facilities emergencies needing phone or on-site response (Powell's Books supplies cell phone).
• Responsible for the safe use and appropriate storage of Powell's equipment, tools and vehicles.
• Drives company vehicles as necessary in a safe and legal manner.
• May be called upon to act as backup to trucking/delivery staff.
• Mentor to other members of the team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements / Qualifications:

• Demonstrated handyperson skills required. Specialized knowledge in one or more trade areas, such as carpentry, electrical, HVAC, etc. required.
• Must be able to pass a ten-year background check with Port of Portland and acquire and maintain a security badge for PDX.
• Experience working with trade and service vendors.
• Good communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills required.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.
• Computer skills (Microsoft office, work ticketing tools, email, etc) required.
• Current OR or WA driver's license required.
• Must have and maintain a driving record that is compatible with company standards.
• Physical Requirements - Group R