Lock and Key Superintendent - Facilities Operations - UTK
Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at University of Tennessee
Operations
Knoxville, TN, USA
Posted on Nov 6, 2025
The Lock & Key Superintendent provides leadership and strategic oversight of the University’s lock and key operations, ensuring the integrity and security of campus facilities through the effective management of access control systems, key distribution, and hardware standards. This position is responsible for supervising staff, managing daily operations, ensuring compliance with all applicable codes and regulations, and maintaining the University’s master key system in accordance with established security protocols and standards.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
The Lock & Key Superintendent provides leadership and strategic oversight of the University’s lock and key operations, ensuring the integrity and security of campus facilities through the effective management of access control systems, key distribution, and hardware standards. This position is responsible for supervising staff, managing daily operations, ensuring compliance with all applicable codes and regulations, and maintaining the University’s master key system in accordance with established security protocols and standards.
Required Qualifications
- Education: High school diploma or GED.
- Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in locksmith operations, access control, or facility security, including at least three (3) years of supervisory experience.
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Ability to lead others, enforce policies & procedures and practice UT disciplinary action
- Comprehensive understanding of lock systems, keying plans, and access control technologies.
- Strong working knowledge of Life Safety, Fire, and Building Codes and OSHA requirements.
- Proficient in access control software and key management systems.
- Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to interpret construction documents, access plans, and technical schematics.
- Skill in resolving operational and personnel challenges effectively and diplomatically.
- Other Conditions: Valid Driver’s license
Work Location:
- University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN Campus
- This is an on-site position
Compensation and Benefits
- UT market range: MR12
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
- Find more information on UT Benefits here
About The College/Department/Division
UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s largest non-academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in-house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute. The Facilities Services staff provide around-the-clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top.
- Provides management, direction, and supervision for the Lock & Key unit, ensuring efficient operations, customer service, and adherence to University and Facilities Services policies.
- Plans, prioritizes, and assigns work to staff, providing technical guidance and support in resolving complex access and key control issues.
- Oversees scheduling, staffing, and daily operations to ensure the shop is fully operational during business hours and responsive to service needs.
- Evaluates employee performance, provides coaching and mentoring, and manages recruitment, hiring, training, and leave approvals for assigned personnel.
- Manages and authorizes key requests, issuance, returns, and borrowing in accordance with university key control policies to maintain a secure campus environment.
- Oversees the maintenance and accuracy of the University’s key database and associated records for building access, renovations, lock changes, and keying plans.
- Develops and enforces keying standards, ensuring consistent application of key codes, layouts, and hierarchy across campus facilities.
- Coordinates with other Facilities Services units to ensure access control and door hardware specifications align with university standards and Life Safety, Fire, and Building Codes.
- Maintains advanced knowledge of lock systems, exit and door hardware, and access control technologies.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable codes, including Life Safety Codes, Fire Regulations, OSHA standards, and Uniform Building Codes.
- Reviews and approves material specifications and keying system designs to ensure security, functionality, and long-term sustainability.
- Oversees material and hardware inventory, procurement, and cost estimating for projects related to lock and key systems.
- Ensures effective communication and collaboration with campus departments, providing guidance and timely resolution of access-related concerns.
- Responds to emergencies and after-hours lock and key issues through coordination of on-call staff.
- Attends meetings and provides regular updates on operational status, project progress, and emerging security concerns.
- Develops and updates internal procedures and operational standards for the Lock & Key unit.
- Identifies and implements process improvements to enhance efficiency, customer service, and security compliance.
- Ensures adherence to university policies, Facilities Services standards, and all relevant safety and regulatory requirements.