Institution Maintenance Foreperson

About the role

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is seeking an experienced facilities leader to serve as an Institution Maintenance Foreperson at Tewksbury Hospital. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Facilities Management, this role provides hands-on leadership for a diverse team of skilled trades professionals and oversees the maintenance and operation of critical hospital infrastructure, including HVAC, boilers, chillers, electrical distribution, plumbing, emergency generators, building automation, fire alarm systems, and medical gas support systems. This position offers the opportunity to lead a multidisciplinary maintenance operation while working on projects that range from preventive maintenance and emergency response to facility renovations, equipment upgrades, contractor coordination, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will bring sound judgment, strong communication skills, technical problem-solving, and the ability to lead during both routine operations and emergency situations.

Schedule: 7:00am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday with on-call responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, schedules, assigns, and coordinates the daily activities of skilled maintenance personnel across electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, masonry, painting, locksmith, and related trades.
• Prioritizes and assigns work orders based on patient care needs, life safety concerns, regulatory requirements, and operational priorities, while reviewing completed work for quality and compliance.
• Oversees the inspection, operation, preventive maintenance, and repair of critical hospital infrastructure, including HVAC systems, boilers, chillers, electrical distribution, plumbing, emergency generators, building automation, fire alarm systems, and medical gas support systems.
• Conducts inspections of buildings, grounds, equipment, and utility systems; evaluates deficiencies and equipment performance; and recommends appropriate repairs, replacements, or improvements.
• Coordinates emergency maintenance and repairs to minimize disruptions to patient care and facility operations, including participation in emergency preparedness, disaster response, and required on-call activities.
• Ensures maintenance operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, accreditation standards, safety requirements, and building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire codes.
• Trains, mentors, guides, and evaluates maintenance personnel; identifies training needs; promotes accountability and safe work practices; and participates in hiring, scheduling, performance management, and related personnel activities.
• Assists with facility renovations, equipment installations, utility upgrades, and construction projects while coordinating and monitoring contractors, consultants, and vendors for compliance with project specifications, safety requirements, and hospital policies.
• Maintains accurate maintenance records, preventive maintenance documentation, equipment histories, inspections, and work orders through CAMIS; oversees inventories of supplies, tools, equipment, and replacement parts; and assists with budget and expenditure monitoring.
• Promotes a culture of safety, teamwork, customer service, accountability, and continuous quality improvement while providing effective communication, technical guidance, problem-solving, and operational leadership throughout the hospital campus.

Qualifications

• Supervise, assign, coordinate, and evaluate the work of maintenance personnel.
• Read and interpret blueprints, technical manuals, construction drawings, and specifications.
• Understand, explain and apply the policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Analyze maintenance problems, determine corrective action, and implement effective solutions.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, vendors, regulatory agencies, and the public.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of building maintenance, repair, and facility operations.
• Knowledge of hospital infrastructure and healthcare facility operations.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards.
• Knowledge of occupational safety principles and safe work practices.
• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion.

Preferred qualifications

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Knowledge of the types and uses of agency forms.
• Knowledge of accreditation requirements governing healthcare facilities.
• Previous facilities experience in a hospital setting.
• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification.

Minimum entrance requirements

Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in building maintenance, repair and/or construction or in a building construction trade, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity.

About Tewksbury Hospital

Tewksbury Hospital under the Department of Public Health (DPH) is a 370 bed Joint Commission accredited hospital. The hospital provides broad treatment of care and comfort to adults with medical and/or mental illnesses. Tewksbury Hospital offers a broad range of services including a physician on site at all times, around-the-clock nursing care, rehabilitation services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, psychology services, social services, nutritional services, and an on-site dialysis clinic. Learn more about our important work: https://www.mass.gov/locations/tewksbury-hospital

DPH mission and vision

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism. We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.

Pay

Salary: $74,356.88. Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate's years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards.