Chief Engineer

About the role

The Chief Engineer performs foreman-level maintenance work with responsibility for oversight of college campus engineering operations. The work requires comprehensive technical knowledge of college campus building and infrastructure systems including structural, building envelope, wall/floor/ceiling, electrical, telecom/datacom, mechanical, plumbing, access controls, life safety, and vertical transportation. Public contact is extensive, primarily involving department and outside staff, vendors, and contractors for the purpose of exchanging information pertaining to project assessment, procedures, materials, and timelines. A high degree of independent judgment and creativity is required to follow and modify standard, prescribed trade techniques to troubleshoot, complete given assignments, plan, schedule, and monitor the work of staff, and to resolve minor and some major problems that arise. Consequences of errors in judgment can be costly in materials, public relations, and in employee time.

Responsibilities

• Directs and manages the workloads and schedules of senior maintenance engineers, maintenance engineers, and utility engineers, including assessing their skills, abilities, safe work practices, and identifying their training needs
• Assists in developing and delivering appropriate training programs
• Fosters teamwork and camaraderie toward common goals, while working alongside engineers in a leadership role
• Assists the campus facilities manager in evaluating the performance of staff
• Performs routine maintenance and repair of facilities, including responding to trouble calls and emergencies
• Oversees the maintenance and repair of facilities by staff and vendors
• Inspects facilities for performance verification and quality control
• Exchanges information with management staff about operations and special projects
• Participates in minor remodeling of facilities by estimating labor, material, and equipment requirements and coordinating staff to perform the work and participating in doing the work
• Coordinates approved vendors/contractors
• Coordinates workloads with grounds and custodial staff and provides leadership to campus engineering and other facilities staff
• Ensures integrity of maintenance supplies and equipment inventory
• Exchanges information with administrators, management, and other staff on engineering operations and special projects
• Ensures facility compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and standard operating procedures
• Reviews blueprints for new construction and remodeling for compliance with standard operating procedures, materials, finishes, and potential conflicts
• Coordinates work effort of other staff to ensure prompt accomplishment of projects
• Assists in the preparation and management of the engineering discretionary budget
• Uses a computer and computer software to communicate with constituents, document procedures, protocols, and other relevant communication
• Enters, modifies, and retrieves data related to maintenance schedules, equipment and supply usage and inventory, and other data; tracks expenses, estimates special projects, creates schedules, and obtains information
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Knowledge Of

• Materials, equipment, tools, and terminology used in building maintenance work
• Building and infrastructure systems, including: structural, building envelope, roofing, building monitoring, control, access controls, life safety, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, telecom/datacom, interior floor/wall/ceiling, and vertical transportation systems
• Basic electrical, carpentry, welding, and mechanical principles and procedures
• Computer applications including Word, Excel, Access, Project, PowerPoint, Outlook, AutoCAD, and the internet

Skill In

• Exceptional organizational and communication skills and attention to detail
• Managing discretionary budgets
• Handling emergency situations
• Understanding and giving verbal and written instructions and directions
• Assessing engineering staff abilities, organizing workloads and schedules
• Communicating respectfully and effectively with people at various levels within and outside of the organization who are diverse in their academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds
• Reading and comprehending complex instructions, blueprints and directions, and Material Safety Data Sheets
• Assessing completed work for standard of quality

Ability To

• Exercise caution and ensure compliance with all mandated CAL/OSHA safety provisions in the course of work
• Oversee the maintenance engineering operations of a college campus
• Perform heavy labor
• Perform routine technical functions in the repair and maintenance of college campus buildings and infrastructure systems
• Work independently under minimum supervision and prioritize jobs
• Use required tools and equipment skillfully and safely
• Keep/maintain work records in an organized manner
• Follow instructions
• Obtain a forklift certification

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school and completion of a recognized journeyman program in building maintenance or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Successful experience of increasing responsibility in a complex facilities environment that has included work with a variety of building and infrastructure systems, tools, and vehicle and equipment installation, maintenance, and repair
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff
• Skill in training and directing the work of others
• Skill in budget management
• Skill in the use of a variety of software to prepare spreadsheets, correspondence, and other written materials
• Demonstrated skill in reading, comprehending, and following complex oral and written instructions
• Successful completion of coursework, a seminar, or workshop on supervision or management from an acceptable institution within six months of assuming position
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License (or the ability to obtain one) and the ability to drive a motor vehicle on campus and to off-campus locations
• Possession of a forklift certification or successful completion of a forklift certification course within six months of assuming position

Physical Requirements

This classification requires sustained physical activity indoors and outdoors with exposure to climate changes, chemicals, odors and fumes; bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing ladders and stairs; working on elevated platforms; pushing, pulling, moving moderate to heavy objects; visual comparison; reading and comprehending written and oral instructions and directions; attention to detail; flexibility; adaptability; manual dexterity; operating electrical and mechanical equipment; good memory; standing for long periods; walking; ability to sit at a workstation and use a computer for periods of time while performing office-related functions; interacting with individuals and small groups; demonstrated skill in reading and comprehending complex instructions; possession of a valid California Driver's License and the ability to safely drive a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned tasks, in order to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

• Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave
• The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents
• Paid life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program
• Classified employees participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California
• Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available