The Bronx Defenders – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a Facilities Coordinator II.  

Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court as well as to address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement.  

Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences.  

Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change. We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders from one end of the country to the next on how to move to a holistic model of representation. 

The Facilities Coordinator II is responsible for maintaining the overall cleanliness of the offices, ensuring all facilities are tidy and functional. Reporting to the Facilities Manager and working closely with the Office Manager, Mailroom Manager, and IT staff, the Facilities Coordinator II assists in maintaining the overall condition of all buildings and grounds of The Bronx Defenders. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, maintaining daily and weekly cleaning schedules, providing facilities maintenance and repairs.  

• Inspect all interior and exterior facilities to identify and resolve any hazardous conditions, malfunctions, damage, or hygiene deficits to ensure cleanliness at the beginning and ending of each shift as well as providing status updates to the Facilities Manager 

• Maintain cleanliness in assigned areas of the facility. This includes but is not limited to: floor care (mopping, sweeping, buffing, waxing), cleaning cafeteria and kitchen areas, bathrooms, emptying trash, separating recyclables, emptying garbage, wiping windows and walls, and cleaning stairways and/or elevators. 

• Assist and conduct minor repairs to facilities when needed. This includes but is not limited to: painting, plastering, repairing furniture, maintaining smoke detectors and fire extinguishers as well as battery changes.  

• Assist in conducting periodic inspections of fire extinguishers and emergency exits to ensure equipment is working properly and in compliance with regulations. 

• Perform routine maintenance on custodial equipment and supplies, and make minor repairs if needed 

• Stock and maintain pantry supplies in kitchens 

• Stock and maintain bathroom amenities 

• Build furniture/equipment 

• Assist in snow removal at all facilities 

• Participate in office moves, including moving and arranging furniture and equipment throughout the year, including setting up new hire desks 

• Participate in special events, set up, and clean up 

• Assist in moving, storing, and delivering supplies, office furniture, office equipment, and other items/materials in and around the facility when and where appropriate. 

• Responding quickly and appropriately to office and facility-related emergencies, including after regular working hours 

• Assisting and ensuring the safety and security of staff, clients, and community members by being part of the First Responders group  

• Additional duties as assigned by the Facilities Manager 

• Assist the Mailroom team, including  

• Sort mail  

• Mail pickup  

• Other mailroom duties as assigned 

• Minimum of 3 years' experience working in complex building services and/or operations 

• Experience providing facilities or maintenance support in multi-site organizations 

• Experience with industrial supplies, including building equipment and cleaning products

Applicants must demonstrate:  

• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate, and engage with people with various backgrounds, identities, and experiences   

• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively within a team  

• Strong active listening and interpersonal skills   

• Ability to use both in-house staff and external contractors to maintain building operations  

• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds 

• Ability to multitask, maintain order, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment   

• Meticulous attention to detail  

• Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters  

• Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection, and shift behavior accordingly  

Preferred but not required: 

• Bi-lingual English/Spanish; Spanish fluency is validated objectively 

• Experience working in a non-profit, legal, or social justice setting  

• Experience working with Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office Suite, and OneDrive 

• F-01 Fire Guard Certification 

This is a fully in-person position requiring working in the office 5 days per week. 

Salary is commensurate with experience.  For candidates with 3 years of directly relevant experience, the salary for this position is approximately $70,000 annually. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; and a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy.  

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit.   

This position is non-exempt. By law, nonexempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to overtime, whereas exempt employees are not.    

To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and cover letter in one document. Include in your cover letter why you want to do this work at our office. Your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience and should include all relevant professional experience. Applications without a written cover letter will not be considered.   

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent, and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family, and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we serve.