What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director, Utilities & Infrastructure position at The University of Texas at Arlington?
Purpose of Position
The Assistant Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the University’s HVAC, Building Automation Controls, Plumbing, and Electrical maintenance operations. This position is responsible for ensuring reliable, safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of campus infrastructure through effective management of skilled trades teams, preventive maintenance programs, deferred maintenance initiatives, energy conservation efforts, and operational improvement strategies. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with Facilities leadership, campus stakeholders, engineering, construction teams, contractors, and university departments to support a safe and highly functional learning, research, and working environment.
Essential Functions
Position is benefit eligible: Yes
We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees at the University.
https://www.uta.edu/hr/employee-benefits
The Assistant Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the University’s HVAC, Building Automation Controls, Plumbing, and Electrical maintenance operations. This position is responsible for ensuring reliable, safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of campus infrastructure through effective management of skilled trades teams, preventive maintenance programs, deferred maintenance initiatives, energy conservation efforts, and operational improvement strategies. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with Facilities leadership, campus stakeholders, engineering, construction teams, contractors, and university departments to support a safe and highly functional learning, research, and working environment.
Essential Functions
- Provides direct leadership and oversight of HVAC, Controls, Plumbing, and Electrical maintenance shops.
- Manages supervisors, skilled trades personnel, and technical staff responsible for campus infrastructure maintenance.
- Establishes operational priorities, service expectations, performance goals, and accountability measures.
- Develops and implements standardized maintenance processes, procedures, and best practices.
- Promotes an employee centric and customer-focused culture supporting students, faculty, researchers, and campus operations.
- Supports workforce development through training plans, certifications, mentoring, and succession planning.
- Develops preventive and predictive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and reduce emergency repairs.
- Evaluates equipment condition, lifecycle needs, and replacement priorities. Assists with capital renewal planning and deferred maintenance initiatives.
- Assists in the development and management of operating budgets, staffing plans, and resource allocation strategies.
- Assists with long-term capital planning and asset lifecycle management.
- Evaluates staffing levels, workload requirements, and organizational needs.
- Manages contracted services and ensures work is completed safely, efficiently, and cost effectively.
- Oversees maintenance work management processes including preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and emergency response.
- Utilizes computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to monitor performance, workload, and asset history.
- Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) for productivity, response time, preventive maintenance completion, and customer satisfaction.
- Leads process improvement initiatives to increase operational effectiveness.
- Supports campus energy conservation initiatives and utility reduction strategies.
- Identifies opportunities for efficiency improvements. Collaborates on energy projects, commissioning activities, and optimization efforts.
- Promotes sustainable operating practices throughout maintenance operations.
- Ensures compliance with university policies, Environmental Health & Safety requirements, electrical safety standards, environmental regulations, and applicable codes.
- Promotes a strong safety culture through training, communication, and accountability.
- Supports incident investigations and corrective action plans and performs other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, facilities management, or a related field and five (5) years of experience overseeing skilled trades in a complex university environment or large organization, including two (2) years of supervisory experience; or nine (9) years of an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Must have a Class C Texas driver’s license and an acceptable three-year (36 months) Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).
- Must complete Defensive Driving Awareness Training (DDAT), which is valid for three (3) years.
- Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Facility Manager (CFM), or similar certification.
- Experience with large campus environments.
- Experience with Niagara/BACnet building automation systems.
- Experience with deferred maintenance programs, capital renewal planning, and energy conservation projects.
- Demonstrated experience with HVAC systems, controls, electrical, plumbing, and building infrastructure.
- Experience managing supervisors, budgets, contractors, and maintenance programs.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
- Strong leadership and team-building skills.
- Ability to manage multiple technical disciplines and competing priorities.
- Strong understanding of building systems, maintenance strategies, and lifecycle management.
- Ability to analyze complex operational issues and develop effective solutions.
- Monday through Friday; 8:00am through 5:00pm.
Position is benefit eligible: Yes
We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees at the University.
https://www.uta.edu/hr/employee-benefits