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Title: Assistant Director of Facility Operations and Planning

Division: Finance and Administration

Department: Facility Operations and Planning

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: 91,000

EEO Job Group: 2 E2

Position Summary

The University of Southern Indiana is accepting applications for Assistant Director of Facility Operations and Planning.

Reporting to the Director of Facility Operations and Planning and working in conjunction with the Associate or Assistant Director; the Assistant Director assists in providing strategic leadership for planning, improvements to and upkeep of the campus to support the University of Southern Indiana’s mission, vision and strategic plan. The Assistant Director, in combination with the Director and Associate or Assistant Director, will provide leadership and direction in the administration and operation of the Facility Operations and Planning (FOP) department, campus facilities, grounds and infrastructure. With collaboration, the Assistant Director shall implement practices and tactics that continuously improve the quality, safety and cost effectiveness of all aspects of the department, its services, and the operation of campus facilities, grounds and infrastructure. This role has leadership and oversight responsibility in the care of all facilities, grounds, utility and transportation infrastructure; Operations staff; minor capital project management; providing efficient utility services; and contracted services through FOP.

The department’s scope includes the campus, including student housing, totaling over 100 principal structures, and New Harmony which has 20 additional structures, mostly historic. The department includes units with responsibilities for: HVAC and central plant maintenance; custodial and building services; grounds maintenance; motor fleet operations; material and equipment storeroom services; mail and distribution services; property management; service work ordering and coordination.

Duties/Responsibilities 

• Develops and encourages a team culture with expectations of mutual respect, professional growth, excellent customer service, accountability, safe operations and high quality of work. Promotes efficient use of our natural and financial resources, long and short-term planning and budgeting, and preventive practices.
  
  
• Provides leadership to and directly manages specified areas of responsibility of the department while managing and completing Facilities special and planned projects. The goal being to utilize the strengths and knowledge of the Assistant Director while providing them with experience and knowledge to become proficient as a manager of all the FOP areas.
  
  
• Has shared responsibility for enabling the success of Operations personnel; setting expectations of staff and facility and grounds conditions; ensuring Operations tasks, practices and procedures enable these expectations to be met and are performed safely; providing qualified staff, necessary equipment and materials; defining staffing needs, hiring, providing training determining disciplinary actions; etc.
  
  
• Ensures the facilities, transportation surfaces and grounds are maintained in the appropriate manner and quality level, the standards for cleanliness are met and associated services provided by the Facility’s Operations are of the proper quality level. Directs and manages the trash removal process and services, material recycling, hazardous material handling and other environmental services that are the responsibility of the FOP department.
  
  
• Assists Director and Associate or Assistant Director with financial manager responsibilities of over $16 million in Facility Operations accounts and small projects and averaging $25 million annually in Capital project accounts.
  
  
• Shares responsibility with the Associate or Assistant Director in directing and overseeing the Facility’s Operations payroll and time keeping, service coordination, the issuing of requisitions for purchasing of services, materials, equipment and supplies. Prepares specifications for purchased items and services, coordinates with the Procurement Office to obtain pricing, approve prices and bids, and issue purchase orders.
  
  
• Sets expectations and evaluates employees for satisfactory compliance with standards for work quality, safety, professionalism, work ethic and other job performance criteria.
  
  
• Exercise a high level of independent judgment and creative thought in working with Facility’s for implementation of best practices and continuous improvement in directing, planning, developing and delivering services to the University. Monitors and seeks updates on the quality of services discussing and implementing improvements when opportunities exist.
  
  
• Works in partnership with Operations supervision in ensuring Facilities Operations continually practices safe operations; services are provided which meet the campus needs and expectations; operations are evaluated to meet Best Practices; equipment, tools, and training are provided to enable supervisory and staff personnel to succeed in their responsibilities; and safety policies and procedures are in place.
  
  
• Directs and oversees all facilities and grounds immediate repair needs, contractual services, infrastructure, and shorter-term construction projects, including repairs of and return to service of utility outages; damages caused by mother nature or infrastructure failures; prioritization of repair and rehabilitation, and small construction and renovation projects; repairs, preventive maintenance, mandatory inspections and tests, and other facility operational services. Identifies qualified vendors as needed, prepares project cost estimates, and obtains quotes and bids for construction. Coordinates and monitors work and approves payments for work completed satisfactorily.
  
  
• Works closely with vendor design firms, Director, Associate or Assistant Director, and Construction Manager for design and expertise on Facility issue resolutions, small capital, and non-capital projects
  
  
• Oversees the management of the University and University Foundation rental properties and farmland.
  
  
• Assists with the preparation of the annual and longer-term Operations and Capital budgets. Evaluates the need for additional employees and major equipment and makes recommendations for implementation and funding. Monitors compliance with the budget for the department. Assists in identification and estimates of infrastructure and equipment renovations and replacement projects for inclusion within the Capital budget plans.
  
  
• Develops and revises departmental procedures, policies, and practices.
  
  
• Assist in managing the operation of the central heating and cooling plant to ensure the campus facilities are at comfortable conditions while occupied, campus energy management systems are operating as designed, and that the plant is functioning at optimum efficiency.
  
  
• Manages the distribution of all utilities including water, sewer, natural gas, and electricity, and ensures infrastructure is maintained in good operating condition. Develops programs and practices for the efficient use of all utilities.
  
  
• Collaborates with Housing and FOP Leadership to continually develop a highly effective summer rehabilitation (SWISH, Summer Workers In Student Housing) plan for student housing. This team evaluates effectiveness of previous year's methods, analyzes cost vs. effectiveness, creates next year's plan, identifies, and prioritizes renovations, furniture replacement and other improvements to request approval for special funding. The FOP team develops summer rehab staffing plan, need for equipment, supplies and parts, and projected expenses. The FOP Assistant Director assists the FOP Associate or Assistant Director in overseeing the Housing Facility’s manager in implementing and managing the plan.
  
  
• Collaborate with this FOP Director, Associate or Assistant Director, and FOP supervision, to determine needs in the areas of improving employee relations with HR and FOP management; recruitment, selection, and hiring processes; education and training; disciplinary actions; policies and procedures; benefits education; the evaluations process; etc. Involves HR and Outreach and Engagement to fulfill and improve the needs in the identified areas.
  
  
• Develops goals, objectives, and professional growth plans for staff members. Provides opportunities to improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Evaluates employees for satisfactory compliance to standards for work quality, safety, professionalism, work ethic, and other job performance criteria.
  
  
• Assists the Director in being the University's representative in facilities-related issues with the County, City, State, and other government or community representatives.
  
  
• Seeks opportunities to learn of methods, means and equipment improvements and changes in the facility’s operational and planning field. Maintain effective relationships with professional colleagues at similar institutions to keep abreast of market developments and best practices. Attends conferences and seeks other educational opportunities.
  
  
• Maintains working knowledge of all building, safety, fire and life safety codes, and regulatory requirements and related changes applicable to facility, plant, and campus grounds management, safety, and construction.
  
  
• Assist in preparing the annual Facility Space Study and infrastructure reports for submittal to the Commission for Higher Education, for calculating and consideration of the annual Repair and Renovation State funding, and for use by University Administration in submitting requests for funding of capital projects.
  
  
• Serves on University Committees as requested.
  
  
• Prepares reports and makes presentations to University groups, and departments as requested. Serves as chairperson of the Parking and Transportation Committee, and on other university committees as needed.
  
  
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Facility’s Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or another related subject.
  
  
• Five years’ experience in facility’s management or related field (e.g., industrial maintenance). Experience must include management of minor construction, maintenance, HVAC, or other infrastructure projects.
  
  
• Must possess demonstrated ability to plan, organize, direct, and implement such projects, delivering them on time, and to the satisfaction of users.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability, interest and experience in seeking out and applying creative and innovative ways of delivering services and projects efficiently and in ways that add value and enhance safety.
  
  
• Must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, including skills in writing, speaking, and in data analysis and presentation.
  
  
• Collaborative team-oriented management style and effective relationship building skills.
  
  
  

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Master’s degree in a related field.
  
  
• Experience in supervising trades in large-scale complex environments. Experience either overseeing the operation and care of a boiler and chiller plant or have extensive knowledge in electrical or plumbing infrastructure for large buildings.
  
  
• Working knowledge of engineering and construction principles and practices, some budget and operational management, customer relations, personnel management, and the understanding of some regulatory codes for personnel and buildings.
  
  
• Well-developed understanding of the nature and purposes of a university and how the department’s function supports those purposes.

Regular Work Hours/Travel Requirements

About USI   

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for this position include:

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 11% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees/75% for spouses and dependent children.
• Vacation and sick time
• Holiday pay
• Free access to Recreation, Fitness & Wellness Center.
• Access to on-campus University Health Center and Dental Hygiene Clinic.

For more information about the benefits that USI offers, please visit www.usi.edu/hr/benefits.

Search Committee Chair:

If you have questions about the open position, please contact James Wolfe, search committee chair, at jwolfe2@usi.edu

Best Consideration Date:

For best consideration, please submit materials before April 14, 2025

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI typically will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the manager of Employment at mcweinzapf@usi.edu or (812) 464-1840. Contacting the manager of Employment is intended for use in seeking disability-related accommodations only. For general applicant inquiries, contact Human Resources at HumanRes@usi.edu or (812) 464-1815.

EEO Statement

The University of Southern Indiana is an EEO/AA employer. All individuals including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.