Top 12 Facilities Assistant Skills to Put on Your Resume

Crafting a standout resume as a Facilities Assistant means showing a sharp mix of hands-on technical know-how and people-centered problem solving. Highlight the skills that keep buildings humming, costs steady, and occupants comfortable. The twelve skills below help you surface the right details—clear, practical, and relevant to how facilities really run.

Facilities Assistant Skills

1. AutoCAD
2. HVAC Knowledge
3. Plumbing Basics
4. Electrical Systems
5. BMS (Building Management Systems)
6. CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)
7. Safety Compliance
8. Energy Management
9. Project Coordination
10. Space Planning
11. Asset Management
12. Preventive Maintenance

1. AutoCAD

AutoCAD is CAD software used to create precise 2D/3D drawings and models—floor plans, site layouts, details—vital for planning, communicating, and maintaining facilities.

Why It's Important

It lets you revise floor plans fast, document as-builts clearly, and coordinate changes with contractors and teams. Fewer surprises. Better accuracy. Smoother projects.

How to Improve AutoCAD Skills

Build skill the way drafters do—by drawing often and standardizing your approach.

1. Practice on real spaces: Redraw current floor plans, then update with measured as-builts.
2. Master fundamentals: Layers, blocks (including dynamic blocks), xrefs, annotation scaling, paper space layouts, sheet sets.
3. Create standards: Title blocks, plot styles, layers, linetypes, and naming conventions that match your facility.
4. Speed tools: Keyboard shortcuts, custom tool palettes, and quick properties to reduce clicks.
5. Quality checks: Run audit/purge, fix scales, verify print outputs before sharing.
6. Learn interoperability: Import/export PDFs, images, and BIM references responsibly; keep paths clean.

Consistent templates plus tight habits turn drawings into trustworthy, reusable assets.

How to Display AutoCAD Skills on Your Resume

2. HVAC Knowledge

HVAC knowledge covers how heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems operate, how to spot trouble early, and what keeps comfort and air quality steady.

Why It's Important

Good HVAC oversight maintains occupant comfort, protects equipment life, and cuts energy waste. It’s where cost control and well-being intersect.

How to Improve HVAC Knowledge Skills

1. Know the system types: RTUs, split systems, boilers, heat pumps, VAVs, DOAS, economizers. Understand components and sequences.
2. Learn IAQ basics: Filtration (MERV ratings), ventilation rates, humidity control, CO2 monitoring, and fresh-air strategies.
3. Shadow technicians: Observe seasonal start-ups, filter changes, belt checks, coil cleaning, and refrigerant diagnostics.
4. Read the manuals: Keep OEM guides and wiring diagrams handy; mark common fault codes and resets.
5. Focus on efficiency: Check setpoints, schedules, sensor calibration, and VFD operation; eliminate simultaneous heat/cool.
6. Safety first: Lockout/tagout, ladder safety, refrigerant handling, confined spaces, and hot work rules.
7. Stay current: Track common updates in controls, heat pump tech, and low-GWP refrigerants.

How to Display HVAC Knowledge Skills on Your Resume

3. Plumbing Basics

Plumbing basics include water supply, drainage, venting, fixtures, valves, and backflow protection—plus the ability to diagnose leaks, clogs, and pressure issues quickly.

Why It's Important

Fast response prevents damage, downtime, and water waste. Routine checks keep systems sanitary, efficient, and compliant.

How to Improve Plumbing Basics Skills

1. Map the system: Know shut-offs, meter locations, risers, cleanouts, and equipment rooms.
2. Spot the usual suspects: Worn flappers, failed wax rings, slow drains, failed cartridge valves, dripping traps, water hammer.
3. Practice simple repairs: Replace cartridges, reseat toilets, reset traps, snake drains, swap supply lines, and reseal fittings.
4. Preventive habits: Strainers in sinks, routine aerator cleaning, scheduled flushes for seldom-used fixtures, seasonal freeze checks.
5. Protect water quality: Backflow device testing schedules, cross-connection awareness, and proper disinfection after work.
6. Use the right tools: Basin wrench, adjustable wrench, slip-joint pliers, auger, inspection camera, thread sealant and tape.
7. Code and safety: Understand local code basics, scald protection, and LOTO when working near pumps or heaters.

How to Display Plumbing Basics Skills on Your Resume

4. Electrical Systems

Electrical systems include service feeds, panels, branch circuits, lighting, outlets, and protective devices that keep power safe and reliable throughout a facility.

Why It's Important

Everything depends on clean, well-managed power—comfort systems, security, workstations, life safety. Poor electrical stewardship risks safety and uptime.

How to Improve Electrical Systems Skills

1. Maintain on a schedule: Torque checks, panel housekeeping, labeling, infrared scans for hot spots, and periodic GFCI/AFCI testing.
2. Balance and capacity: Review panel schedules, track loads, balance phases, and avoid circuit overreach.
3. Safety upgrades: Grounding/bonding verification, arc-flash labels, correct overcurrent protection, and proper enclosure ratings.
4. Efficiency measures: LED lighting, occupancy/vacancy sensors, daylighting, and ENERGY STAR equipment where practical.
5. Smart controls: Timers, scheduling, submetering, and simple sensors to reduce waste.
6. Training and rules: Lockout/tagout, PPE, approach boundaries, and awareness of relevant electrical codes.

When in doubt, partner with a licensed electrician and document every change.

How to Display Electrical Systems Skills on Your Resume

5. BMS (Building Management Systems)

BMS platforms monitor and control HVAC, lighting, access, alarms, and more—centralizing building performance, comfort, and energy use.

Why It's Important

With a well-tuned BMS, you get visibility, fewer surprises, and actionable data. That means comfort for occupants and savings for the budget.

How to Improve BMS (Building Management Systems) Skills

1. Keep software current: Updates improve stability, security, and features.
2. Tidy the points: Clean naming conventions, remove stale trends, and document setpoints and schedules.
3. Trend and analyze: Track key zones, valves, fans, temperatures, and alarms; use trend logs to spot drift and short cycling.
4. Alarm discipline: Right-size thresholds, eliminate alarm storms, route alerts to the correct responders.
5. Integrate thoughtfully: Add submeters and sensors for occupancy, temperature, and IAQ; use open protocols (e.g., BACnet, Modbus) when possible.
6. Train users: Short, hands-on sessions for operators to adjust schedules, setpoints, and overrides—without creating chaos.
7. Cyber hygiene: Strong passwords, least-privilege access, and documented change control.

How to Display BMS (Building Management Systems) Skills on Your Resume

6. CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System)

A CMMS tracks assets, schedules PMs, manages work orders, logs costs, and stores history—your maintenance source of truth.

Why It's Important

It reduces downtime, organizes labor, and reveals what’s draining time and budget. The data pays for itself when decisions get faster and smarter.

How to Improve CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) Skills

1. Clean data, always: Standardize asset names, locations, and failure codes; purge duplicates; attach manuals and photos.
2. Right-sized PMs: Shift from blanket schedules to risk-based intervals; combine tasks where sensible.
3. Go mobile: Let techs close work orders, add notes, and capture parts on the spot—no end-of-day backlogs.
4. Integrate signals: Pull meter reads, run hours, or BMS alerts into work order triggers.
5. Track KPIs: MTBF, MTTR, schedule compliance, wrench time, and backlog age—then act on what the numbers say.
6. Feedback loop: Make it easy to suggest improvements to PM steps and checklists.

How to Display CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) Skills on Your Resume

7. Safety Compliance

Safety compliance means aligning daily work with regulations and policies that protect people, property, and operations.

Why It's Important

Prevention beats incident response. Compliance reduces injuries, legal exposure, insurance costs, and anxiety for everyone on site.

How to Improve Safety Compliance Skills

1. Train with purpose: Emergency procedures, equipment use, hazard recognition, PPE—short refreshers often.
2. Inspect routinely: Housekeeping, egress, signage, guards, fire equipment, eyewash stations; log and fix promptly.
3. Clarify procedures: LOTO, hot work, confined space, chemical handling, and SDS access—written, posted, practiced.
4. Encourage reporting: Near misses, hazards, and incidents without blame; close the loop with visible fixes.
5. Drill and review: Test alarms and evacuation routes; adjust based on lessons learned.
6. Document everything: Checklists, permits, training records, and corrective actions—organized and retrievable.

How to Display Safety Compliance Skills on Your Resume

8. Energy Management

Energy management is the continuous tracking and tuning of how a facility uses energy—so comfort stays high while consumption and costs drop.

Why It's Important

Every kilowatt saved compounds. Lower utility bills, fewer emissions, longer equipment life. Smart buildings start with good habits.

How to Improve Energy Management Skills

1. Measure first: Track utility use, create an energy baseline, and compare against weather and occupancy.
2. Light smarter: Convert to LED, add occupancy/daylight controls, and set schedules that match real use.
3. Tune HVAC: Verify setpoints, reset strategies, and setbacks; maintain coils, filters, sensors, and dampers.
4. Optimize controls: Use thermostats, timers, and BMS schedules to eliminate after-hours drift.
5. Submeter critical loads: Break out lighting, HVAC, and plug loads to see what’s actually burning energy.
6. Plan projects: Build a simple pipeline—quick wins first, then deeper retrofits (VFDs, heat recovery, envelope fixes).
7. Educate occupants: Clear cues and reminders reduce plug loads and space heater chaos.

How to Display Energy Management Skills on Your Resume

9. Project Coordination

Project coordination means lining up tasks, people, budgets, and timing so maintenance, moves, or upgrades land smoothly.

Why It's Important

Good coordination prevents schedule slips, cost overruns, and rework. It keeps teams aligned and stakeholders informed.

How to Improve Project Coordination Skills

1. Plan visibly: Use a simple Gantt or task board; define scope, milestones, dependencies, and a change log.
2. Clarify roles: Assign who’s responsible, who approves, and who needs to be kept in the loop.
3. Schedule around operations: Coordinate outages, deliveries, and noisy work to minimize disruption.
4. Mind procurement: Order long-lead items early; track shipping and substitutions.
5. Communicate often: Short updates, clear decisions, and quick issue escalation.
6. Close out fully: Punch lists, as-builts, O&M manuals, training, and warranty documentation.

How to Display Project Coordination Skills on Your Resume

10. Space Planning

Space planning arranges rooms, furniture, and circulation so people can work safely and efficiently—without wasting square footage.

Why It's Important

Good layouts boost productivity, comfort, and safety. They also make future changes easier and cheaper.

How to Improve Space Planning Skills

1. Study usage: Measure occupancy and utilization; watch flows and bottlenecks.
2. Design for flexibility: Modular furniture, movable walls, and multi-use spaces that adapt quickly.
3. Get the basics right: Clear egress, ADA accessibility, acoustics, lighting, and adequate storage.
4. Support modern work: Zones for focus, collaboration, and quiet; tech-ready rooms; wayfinding that makes sense.
5. Plan adjacencies: Place teams and functions that interact near each other; reduce travel and noise conflicts.
6. Document changes: Keep stack plans, seating charts, and drawings current after every move.

How to Display Space Planning Skills on Your Resume

11. Asset Management

Asset management is the lifecycle care of equipment and spaces—tracking, maintaining, upgrading, and retiring assets at the right time and cost.

Why It's Important

You protect uptime and budgets when assets are visible, maintained, and planned for—no more surprise failures or mystery equipment.

How to Improve Asset Management Skills

1. Tag everything: Barcode or RFID; consistent asset IDs; record model, serial, location, criticality, and condition.
2. Build lifecycles: Expected life, service intervals, parts lists, and replacement triggers for each asset class.
3. Stock smart: Right-size spares for critical equipment; review min/max levels quarterly.
4. Track cost: Tie labor, parts, and downtime to assets; use the data to justify replacements.
5. Assess risk: Rank criticality and failure impact; prioritize PMs and capital planning accordingly.
6. Audit annually: Reconcile physical inventory with records; purge duplicates and retired assets.

How to Display Asset Management Skills on Your Resume

12. Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is scheduled work that keeps equipment reliable—done before breakdowns appear.

Why It's Important

It extends asset life, cuts emergency calls, and steadies operations. A calm calendar beats crisis mode.

How to Improve Preventive Maintenance Skills

1. Create clear PMs: Specific tasks, tools, safety steps, photos, and acceptance criteria—no guesswork.
2. Time them right: Base intervals on run hours, environment, and history—not just the calendar.
3. Add condition checks: Vibration, temperature, oil analysis, filter pressure drops—fix early, fail less.
4. Standardize parts: Preferred components reduce complexity and downtime.
5. Review results: Track failures after PM, adjust steps, and remove tasks that don’t add value.
6. Close the loop: Log findings and photos in the CMMS so the next tech starts smarter.

How to Display Preventive Maintenance Skills on Your Resume