Skip to main content

This job has expired

Director of Facilities Maintenance & Operations

Employer
Western Washington University
Location
Bellingham, Washington State
Salary
$124,000 - $141,000
Date posted
Feb 20, 2023

Another Source’s client, Western Washington University, is recruiting a Director of Facilities Maintenance and Operations to join their team. 

Here’s a little about the Facilities Management Department at Western Washington University and the position they are recruiting for: 

Facilities Management (FM) supports Western Washington University’s academic mission through the maintenance and operation of Western’s facilities and grounds. This support is accomplished through leadership, teamwork, and our commitment to quality customer service for the Western Washington University community. Western’s campus utilizes 125 buildings encompassing 3,445,000 gross square feet on 2,642 total acres across all of its campuses.  

To learn more about Facilities Management, please visit: https://www.fm.wwu.edu/ 

About the role: 

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Facilities Development and Operations (FDO), the Director of Facilities Maintenance and Operations is responsible for a diverse, multi-functional organization. The incumbent manages bargaining unit supervisors, their bargaining unit staff, and maintenance related service contract personnel in the completion of more than 25,000 facility related work orders each year. Employees include classified staff represented by two bargaining units, as well as some exempt professional staff. The Director is accountable for meeting the needs of the university both through direct services to Facilities Management customers and by its support of and coordination with the FDO Planning and Programming group. Success will require a very high degree of collaboration and consensus building across the complete range of the university’s academic and administrative functions.  

The position requires the proficiency and broad understanding of facility operations and maintenance management practices, alternatives, and issues. Successfully leading this large organization in the understanding and accomplishment of organizational goals and objectives will require broad initiatives incorporating both strategic and tactical actions coupled with the ability to respond quickly and effectively to changing situations and balance conflicting priorities. Analytical, organizational, supervisory, reasoning, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills are at the forefront of daily operations.  

Western Washington University’s highly collaborative environment requires the ability to function fluidly across work groups and divisions and to communicate effectively within the campus and neighborhood communities. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

30%- Leadership, Team Management, and Personnel Practices  

  • Directs and manages the supervisors and professional staff through whom Facilities Development and Operations (FDO) operates all university facilities, provides preventive, emergency, and routine maintenance services for facilities, buildings, and related equipment and systems including utility distribution systems, the Steam Plant and conducts maintenance projects.  Oversee, administer and support a staff of approximately 90 within the Maintenance and Operations Section. This is accomplished through daily coordination with all areas of FDO and departments outside of FDO which make-up the campus community. This position reports directly to the Associate Vice President of FDO (AVP) and must keep the AVP fully informed of current and upcoming projects, issues, and emergencies that support the operation of WWU.  Oversee, plan and manage projects with in-house staff and contractors for projects of up to $2M. Coordinate finance with capital budgets.  Champion goals for accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion in alignment with organizational strategic plans and act as an advocate for staff.   Review employee job applications and assist in the selection and hiring process. Review employee performance factors and prepare an evaluation rating. Oversee staff sick leave, vacation leave and personal leave. Assist in developing training programs. 
  • Promote work place safety education. Enforce safety rules and regulations, maintain records on work performed, and write reports as required. 

40%- Scheduling & Coordination of Maintenance Management, Construction & Renovation activities 

  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal and creative problem-solving skills by exercising solid independent judgment and strong professional ethics in all relationships within and outside the university.  Work with Asset Management to develop and improve the preventative maintenance program.   Review, plan, and schedule construction and maintenance projects in accordance with stablished guidance, customer requirements, within university guidelines and standards and incompliance with regulatory codes. This is accomplished by reading blueprints and work orders; determining scope of work (non-designed projects), providing estimated or planned labor hours and material costs to allow scheduling and full time employee (FTE) planning within the FDO shops. 
  • Develop plans, schedules, and forecasts for work flow to establish FTE levels within the preventative maintenance and construction shops.   Works closely with other FDO managers to integrate the functions and services of Facility Maintenance & Operations with those of all other FDO work groups; coordinates with university managers and other facility managers and staff regarding support for the university’s major events, assignments to in-house workforce vs. outside contractors, project priority setting, and charge-out determinations.  Collaborates with and supports other university activities especially departments with related functions such as University Residences, Dining Services, Environmental, Health & Safety and the University Police. 

20%- Fiscal Management and Business Planning 

  • Develop and monitor cash-flows and labor consumption expectations, authorize/safeguard expenditures, and monitor spending for an approximate $25,000,000 in annually assigned and scheduled maintenance and project work. Much of this work plan development is led by the FDO Planning section in support of State Funded, Capital, University Residences and other campus departmental requested work orders (approx. $25,000 per year).  
  • Work jointly with Directors & Managers to establish FDO labor and material cost targeting for year budgets. Helps in the preparation of operating budget proposals based on levels of maintenance services desired, on expected maintenance projects, operating impacts on capital projects, and on needs for operating equipment and tools. Controls expenditures to assure effective use of each customer’s funds, and to obtain full use of allocated funds without over-expending the department’s allocation.  Develop and monitor department goals and achievements; provide written documentation to the AVP.   Participate in the planning and implementation of the FDO Strategic Planning process.  Support the Planning section in the condition assessment of the physical plant and the continued development of a maintenance and operations and Capital Improvement backlog of projects.  Support university sustainability initiatives and identify new opportunities throughout the department and campus. 

10%- Utilities and Energy Management 

  • The position is responsible for all aspects of utilities services to campus. A thorough knowledge of the system is critical to assure continuous utility service to campus.   Responsible for maintaining reliable supplies of steam and compressed air to campus facilities, primarily through the central steam heating system. Provide oversight direction for budget, personnel and maintenance issues. Direct the changeover of fuels and respond to fuel emergencies. Assure the proper treatment of make-up water and evaluate water conditioning. Assure the certification of the boilers and compliance with permits. Instill a safety conscious attitude throughout the steam plant. 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, or related field is required. Additional experience, which has demonstrated the requisite skills and abilities, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. 
  • Engineer-in-Training or enrollment in the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Architectural Experience Program; or association Certification (e.g., APPA emerging professional, IMFA, PMP, etc.) may be substituted for the EIT as determined by the hiring official.  A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible facilities management experience in a complex environment, including extensive experience in supervising skilled trades (maintenance or construction) in a collective bargaining environment is required.  Experience managing preventive maintenance programs, complex budgets, and financial resources.  Knowledge of technology tools used in physical plant management and applicable local laws and work conditions. Experience using administrative tools and metrics to evaluate performance.  Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of university students and staff. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • An advanced degree in engineering, architecture, business or other applicable discipline.   Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE); Licensed Architect; Washington Registration, Certified Facility Manager, Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP), Certified Construction Manager, or related certification in the field of facilities management.   Ten years in senior management of facility operations and maintenance services in an environment that is comparable - in its customer base, size, organization, and workforce – to Western Washington University.  Related experience in a university. 

Work Environment: 

Duties will primarily take place in an office setting however additional duties may be performed in various locations on the Western Washington University’s Bellingham campus, including working both indoors and outdoors to support and participate in university activities and events. As an exempt employee the director has some flexibility in the schedule however must be available during the regular campus hours Monday through Friday to meet the operational needs of the campus and department. Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such levels as is determined by the AVP-RESR. This position may require occasional travel, by automobile or airplane, and overnight stay to travel to trainings and meetings off campus. 

In the event of a campus emergency the director may work on campus for extended periods of time. The director will also need to be accessible twenty-four hours a day. A cell phone for access and job-related communications may be required for this position. 

For more information, please view the position announcement on the WWU Careers website. 

Western Washington University is proud to offer a comprehensive program including salary commensurate with experience and qualification, a leave plan, health, dental, vision, life, disability, retirement plan, and educational growth opportunities. Hiring range for the position is $124,449 - $143,113/year dependent on qualifications and experience. Position tops out at $161,783. For more information about benefits, please review: Benefits Overview for Administrative Professional Position 

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs.   

See WWU’s Policy on  Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 345 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu  

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3774 or 711 (Washington Relay).  

Please also see WWU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act.  

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check, including a sexual misconduct background check, will be conducted on all new hires and rehires.  

All employees must comply with Western Washington University Immunization policies, including COVID vaccination by time of hire and Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire.  Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations. 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis, to maximize the recruiting process.  We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. 

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert