About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Director of Physical Plant, the position is responsible for managing the operation and maintenance of all Academic, Administrative, and Residential life buildings on the Amherst campus and Satellite Locations. In addition, the Associated Director of Building Maintenance directs the Alterations division as well as fills in for the Director of Physical Plant during long-term periods of absenteeism.

Essential Functions

Leadership for the Department, including:

• Development of a positive Department attitude.
• Providing tactical planning, scheduling, prioritizing, and directing work against many competing demands.
• Management of in-house workforce and Service contractors.
• Oversight of inspections and audits by direct reports, to ensure a well-disciplined approach includes quality control and quality assurance.
• Responsible for assuring proper staffing, scheduling, and training of Departmental personnel.
• Responsible for the development and supervision of the standards of maintenance for the architectural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems in academic and administrative spaces.
• Fills in for the Director of Physical Plant during long-term periods of absenteeism.

Manage Department budget and expenditures, including:

• Preparation of annual budgets.
• Development of goals to maximize performance and minimize wasteful spending.
• Review and approve Alterations division project cost estimates and schedules.
• Management of Department expenditures.
• Management of inventory.
• Optimization of the Department’s Labor Utilization.

Provide Customer Service, including:

• Meeting routinely with campus customers to determine their needs and to ensure complete follow through.
• Development and implementation of procedures to assure quality improvement and a clear customer service commitment.
• Provision of oversight to ensure results are achieved.

Coordinate Department with other groups and organizations, including:

• Coordination with other Physical Plant Departments, Environmental Health & Safety, Building Coordinators, Space Management and Student Affairs & Campus Life (SACL) personnel on all aspects of campus Building Maintenance and Alterations Services in order to maximize effectiveness and minimize disruptions.
• Coordination with other UMass entities providing Building Maintenance and Alterations services, to coordinate service delivery approaches and procedures.
• Coordinates with Research and Engagement to ensure that required preventive & continuous maintenance, repairs, alterations and services for campus laborites are properly scheduled and performed.
• Works with Campus Planning, Design and Construction Management (DCM), Facilities & Campus Services (F&CS) Administration, and SACL to ensure that Deferred Maintenance and other major projects incorporate the best maintenance and operational design concepts.
• Coordinates with Campus Planning, Design and Construction Management, F&CS Administration, and SACL personnel on all aspects of maintenance projects and renovation / alteration work in order to maximize and enhance customer service while minimizing the disruption to the campus environment and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Interfacing with bargaining unit officials. Works with Union Officials to maintain a harmonious relationship.

Provide staff guidance, development, and discipline, including:

• Understanding non-discrimination goals.
• Conducting annual performance evaluations, hiring new employees, and providing progressive discipline where appropriate.
• Training, supervision, and evaluation of management level positions.
• Advising managers and other direct reports in their staff guidance, development, and discipline responsibilities.
• Representing the Department at second step grievances.

Support utilization of business systems and applications, including:

• Ensuring effective utilization of the Computerized Maintenance Management System and other advanced software to manage resources.
• Oversight of the Department’s Preventative & Predictive Maintenance Programs.
• Deployment of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and analytic data to optimize departmental productivity.
• Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite applications for reports, presentations, and other communications.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet department, executive area/division, and university goals and objectives.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery, and other compliance requirements.
• Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and to contribute to student success.
• Works collaboratively with other campus stakeholders to fulfill the mission of Student Affairs & Campus Life and Facilities & Campus Services.
• Responds to emergencies. Some night and weekend work required.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Associate’s degree in related field, such as engineering, architecture, business administration, finance, or building technology and twelve (12) years management experience, including five (5) years in a supervisory position –OR-
• Bachelor’s degree in related field, such as engineering, architecture, business administration, finance, or building technology and ten (10) years’ management experience, including three (3) years in a supervisory position.
• Demonstrated experience in budget planning and personnel supervision in a large organization.
• Strong oral and written communication and computational skills.
• Competence with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience working with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and other advanced software to manage resources. This includes managing report strategies to enhance all levels of Custodial Services operations.
• Ability to enter spaces/locations where personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.
• Ability to work extra/irregular hours, including nights and weekends during campus weather and facility-related emergencies.
• Ability to pass UMass Supervisor and Leadership course during probation period.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Licensed Professional Engineer or Architect.
• Association of Physical Plant Administration (APPA) Certification or equivalent.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Must be able to enter spaces and locations where personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required.

Work Schedule

Typical schedule is Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm, but position responds to emergencies, and some night and weekend work may be required.

Salary Information

Salary commensurate with experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please complete the application in full and provide a resume and cover letter. Three professional references will be required.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.