West Virginia Universitys Facilities Management is looking for a few good men and women.

The unit is responsible for maintaining the Universitys infrastructure of 233 buildings, miles of roadways and 913 acres of property, and its manpower needs are increasing along with the growth of the campus.

Facilities Management is currently filling positions in the trades specialist, landscape worker and campus service worker categories to help build, maintain and service the changing needs of the University community.

Paul Zepp, assistant director of human resources for Facilities Management, said the benefits of working for the department include competitive wages, medical and dental plans, retirement plans, holidays, sick leave and vacation days. However, the intangible benefits, he said, are what employees often cite.

The major benefits of working for the University are the educational and training opportunities,he said.Our employees have the ability to develop their skills and experiences through numerous formalized programs and, in turn, increase their responsibilities, position and compensation.

He cited online courses, classroom experience and vocational school programs as examples.

Another opportunity is WVU s recently launched apprenticeship program, which provides student-employees a combination of classroom education and on-the-job training. The apprentices receive training in carpentry; general trades; electrical; or heating, ventilation and air conditioning and can earn certification as skilled trades workers. WVU will begin recruiting for a new class of apprentices this spring.

For George Hall, a longtime facilities employee, participating in free training sessions and volunteering for extra work have helped him develop his skills and professional career. He started as a custodian in 1982, increased his knowledge and experience in the electrical trade and became a certified skilled crafts specialist. Today he is a senior project manager responsible for routing much of the University power grid.

Assistant Director of Maintenance Gary Boyd credits technical training sessions, University classes and mentors for increasing his knowledge and skill base. He started with the department in 1982 as a general maintenance helper, cleaning paint brushes, shoveling coal and cleaning ashes from boilers. Now he is responsible for managing more than 140 skilled trades employees, who oversee the maintenance and operation of building utility systems for over 7 million square feet of space.

Baron Smith joined the department in 1974 as a temporary grounds worker and worked his way up to associate director of operations.

I can think of 65 or so employees in my unit who have moved up from an initial position as a custodian or grounds worker into a lead, manager or even supervisorincluding myself,he said.

To learn more about employment opportunities with WVU Facilities Management, call 304-293-5700 or visithttp://www.jobs.wvu.edu.