Director of Plant Operations

POSITION PURPOSE

The Hospital Plant Operations / Engineering Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the hospital’s physical plant, facilities, engineering, utilities, infrastructure, and building systems. This position is responsible for ensuring a safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective environment that supports high-quality patient care and continuous hospital operations.

The Director oversees plant operations, facility maintenance, engineering services, construction and renovation activities, utility systems, life-safety programs, preventative maintenance, emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance, and the Environment Services Department. The role works closely with hospital leadership, clinical departments, infection prevention, environmental services, safety, finance, and external contractors to maintain a safe and highly functional healthcare environment.

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with healthcare preventive maintenance, Environment of Care, Life Safety, regulatory surveys, and corrective action plans.
• Experience managing construction, renovation, capital, and infrastructure projects in an active healthcare environment.
• 5 years or more of leadership experience in hospital facilities, plant operations, engineering, maintenance, or healthcare infrastructure.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Facilities management, or related field

MANDATORY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of DNV, CMS, NFPA Life Safety Code, OSHA, and applicable New Mexico regulatory requirements.
• Working knowledge of hospital HVAC, electrical and emergency power, plumbing/water systems, medical gases, fire protection, and other critical hospital infrastructure.
• Ability to understand and prioritize facilities issues based on their potential impact on patient safety and clinical operations.
• Strong project management, follow-through, communication, and staff accountability skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clinical leadership, physicians, Infection Prevention, Quality, contractors, engineers, and regulatory agencies.
• Advanced knowledge of provider schedule management and utilization.
• Knowledge of the front-end revenue cycle process, including patient registration, government and commercial insurance processes.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and State regulations for acute care facilities required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional engineering (PE) license or relevant facilities/engineering certification.
• Experience with Joint Commission, CMS, NFPA, and other healthcare regulatory/accreditation surveys.
• Experience with healthcare construction, renovation, infection-control requirements, and capital planning.
• CHFM (Certified Healthcare Facility Manager) preferred, or willingness to obtain within an established timeframe.