What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Facilities Operations position at SUNY Geneseo?
Position Summary
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management, the Director ensures the effective operation, maintenance, and renewal of campus buildings, infrastructure, and utility systems. The Director leads a diverse team of supervisors and technical staff responsible for the Core Shop, Zone Shop, Heating Plant, and Grounds & Custodial operations, and collaborates closely with campus partners across Academic Affairs, Athletics, Residence Life, and Campus Auxiliary Services.
The Director plays a critical role in supporting capital project execution, reviewing designs for maintainability, coordinating utility shutdowns and system tie ins, and ensuring operational readiness. This position requires strong technical judgment, demonstrated leadership experience, and the ability to manage complex operations in a dynamic institutional environment.
Required Qualifications
SUNY Geneseo—New York’s Public Honors College—relies on a high performing Facilities Management department to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable environments that support learning, research, and campus life. The Director of Facilities Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all campus maintenance, utilities, custodial, and grounds operations.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management, the Director ensures the effective operation, maintenance, and renewal of campus buildings, infrastructure, and utility systems. The Director leads a diverse team of supervisors and technical staff responsible for the Core Shop, Zone Shop, Heating Plant, and Grounds & Custodial operations, and collaborates closely with campus partners across Academic Affairs, Athletics, Residence Life, and Campus Auxiliary Services.
The Director plays a critical role in supporting capital project execution, reviewing designs for maintainability, coordinating utility shutdowns and system tie ins, and ensuring operational readiness. This position requires strong technical judgment, demonstrated leadership experience, and the ability to manage complex operations in a dynamic institutional environment.
- High school diploma or military veteran status, plus a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities operations, maintenance, utilities, construction, or related operational environments.
- Must demonstrate commitment and ability to work effectively with a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, and constituents supporting campus and department missions.
- Extensive knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, boilers, plumbing, refrigeration, controls, and utility distribution.
- Ability to read and interpret technical documents such as construction drawings, specifications, and technical reports.
- Working knowledge of regulatory requirements including NYS Building and Energy Codes, OSHA, NFPA, and related standards.
- Experience supervising technical staff, first‑line supervisors, or operational managers.
- Proficiency with CMMS platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and digital plan review tools (Bluebeam/Adobe).
- Candidates for this position must hold a valid drivers license.
- Candidates for this position must be eligible to work in the United States. VISA sponsorship is not offered.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field (Mechanical, Electrical, HVAC, Engineering Technology) and at least 10 years of progressively responsible facilities operations experience, OR bachelor’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction, Technology, or Management and at least 5 years of related experience
- Professional licensure or certifications (PE, RA, CEFP, CCM, PMP).
- Experience in higher education or large institutional environments, including public sector facilities operations.
- Familiarity with SUCF, OGS, DASNY, and SUNY capital project processes.
- Experience developing operational policies and emergency procedures, including incident command structures.
- Knowledge of sustainability practices, energy‑efficient design principles, or LEED standard and/orWELLstandards.
- Experience mentoring and developing supervisors and management‑level staff.
The position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Chief Sustainability Officer and operates with a high level of independence.
The Director is expected to exercise sound technical and managerial judgment and requires minimal day‑to‑day direction.
Supervision Exercised
The Director is expected to exercise sound technical and managerial judgment and requires minimal day‑to‑day direction.
Will supervise up to 5 Direct Reports-Grounds, Maintenance, Utilities & Custodial
- The incumbent functions as the primary deputy to the Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Chief Sustainability Officer and is responsible for exercising delegated authority, overseeing operations, and ensuring continuity of leadership whenever the AVP is unavailable.