Assistant Director Facilities Engineering - Enterprise Physical Operations
Washington University in St. Louis
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Job summary
Washington University in St. Louis seeks an experienced leader to oversee Engineering Operations & Infrastructure within the EPO department.
You will direct maintenance of campus mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building automation systems, ensuring safe, reliable operation across research, clinical, and academic facilities. Lead supervisors and technicians, develop maintenance strategies, and partner with stakeholders to advance capital planning and asset management across WashU’s 28
Qualifications
- Progressively Responsible Experience In Facilities Engineering/Operations, Utilities Management, Plant Operations, Infrastructure Management, Or A Related Technical Environment (5 Years)
- Higher Education Facilities, Research Laboratories, Plant Management, Or Environment With Similar Complexities (3 Years)
- Facilities-Related Supervisory (2 Years)
Responsibilities
- Directs the operation, maintenance, and reliability of campus mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, utility distribution, and building automation systems.
- Ensures continuous, safe, and reliable operation of critical infrastructure supporting research, laboratory, clinical, and academic facilities.
- Develops and implements maintenance strategies, operating procedures, and performance expectations.
- Monitors system performance and operational metrics to identify risks, improves reliability, and maximizes asset life.
- Leads root-cause analysis and corrective action efforts related to equipment failures, utility disruptions, and operational incidents.
- Supports emergency response, incident command, and business continuity activities related to critical campus infrastructure.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Location
ST. LOUIS, MO 63110
Scheduled Hours
40
The Enterprise Physical Operations, Infrastructure, Capital Programs & Real Estate (EPO) department at WashU provides integrated operational, infrastructure, planning, and facility services that support the university’s mission of excellence in education, research, patient care, and community engagement.
Guided by our PRIDE+ Core Values of Professionalism & Planning, Respect & Responsibility, Integrity & Integration, Dedication & Delivery, Excellence & Enterprise Alignment, and Accountability & Stewardship, EPO fosters a culture centered on collaboration, strategic partnership, innovation, accountability, and service excellence across the university enterprise.
EPO manages and supports 28 million gross square feet across 235+ buildings and associated infrastructure systems, encompassing academic, research, clinical, residential, administrative, and support facilities across the university’s campuses and operations. Our teams provide strategic leadership and operational expertise in facility management, infrastructure services, capital project delivery, real estate operations, planning, sustainability, engineering, maintenance, environmental services, public safety support, and enterprise operational services.
EPO creates and maintains safe, innovative, efficient, mission-driven environments that support our students, faculty, staff, patients, researchers, and community partners.
Provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for engineering services, utilities, infrastructure reliability, regulatory compliance, asset management, and capital planning activities across WashU's 28 million-square-foot research, clinical, and academic campuses.
Ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of critical building systems including HVAC, electrical distribution, plumbing, steam and chilled water systems, fire protection systems, elevators, and building automation systems. Leads managers and technicians, develops infrastructure strategies, supports capital investment planning, and partners with campus stakeholders to maintain an environment that supports world-class research, education, and patient care.
Serves as a member of the Facilities Management leadership team and contributes to long-term planning efforts that support current operational needs and future campus growth.
- Directs the operation, maintenance, and reliability of campus mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, utility distribution, and building automation systems.
- Ensures continuous, safe, and reliable operation of critical infrastructure supporting research, laboratory, clinical, and academic facilities.
- Develops and implements maintenance strategies, operating procedures, and performance expectations.
- Monitors system performance and operational metrics to identify risks, improves reliability, and maximizes asset life.
- Leads root-cause analysis and corrective action efforts related to equipment failures, utility disruptions, and operational incidents.
- Supports emergency response, incident command, and business continuity activities related to critical campus infrastructure.
- Leads, mentors, and develops supervisors and technicians responsible for engineering and facilities operations.
- Establishes department goals, performance expectations, and professional development plans aligned with organizational objectives.
- Fosters a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.
- Supports workforce planning, succession planning, employee engagement, and technical competency development initiatives.
- Assists in the development and implementation of deferred maintenance, infrastructure renewal, and capital improvement programs.
- Prioritizes asset replacement and lifecycle investment strategies based on risk, reliability, and institutional needs.
- Provides operational leadership and technical reviews for construction, renovation, utility, and infrastructure projects.
- Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local building, environmental, fire and life-safety, utility, and engineering regulations.
- Supports inspections, audits, accreditation reviews, and regulatory reporting activities.
- Partners with Environmental Health & Safety and other stakeholders to identify, assess, and mitigate operational and compliance risks.
- Assists in developing and managing departmental operating and capital budgets.
- Monitors expenditures, contracts, and resource allocation to ensure effective stewardship of university resources.
- Identifies opportunities for operational efficiencies, energy conservation, sustainability initiatives, and cost reduction.
- Partners with university leadership, clinical partners, researchers, administrators, and external stakeholders to support infrastructure and facility priorities.
- Communicates engineering initiatives, operational impacts, and facility improvements effectively to stakeholders.
- Contributes to strategic planning efforts that support campus expansion, infrastructure resilience, and long-term operational excellence.
Performs other duties as assigned.
- Normal office environment
- Stockroom or warehouse
- High Noise environment
- Dust, dirt, grease or other disagreeable elements
- Alternative work schedule as regular part of job (on-call, shifts, evening, weekends)
- Requires extensive safety Training
- Exposure to moving machinery
- On-Call
- Exposure to chemicals
- Requires protective devices
- Typically bending, crouching, stooping
- Typically standing or walking
- Typically running or climbing
- Using tools requiring high dexterity
- Occasional lifting
- Office equipment
- Heavy equipment (buffers, mowers, forklift, etc.)
- Operate a motor vehicle
- Simple hand tools
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Associate degree or combination of education and experience may substitute for minimum education.
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Progressively Responsible Experience In Facilities Engineering/Operations, Utilities Management, Plant Operations, Infrastructure Management, Or A Related Technical Environment (5 Years), Higher Education Facilities, Research Laboratories, Plant Management, Or Environment With Similar Complexities (3 Years), Facilities-Related Supervisory (2 Years)
Not Applicable
A Class E (MO) or Class D (IL) license and a good driving record are required for this position.
WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.
Bachelor's degree - Engineering, Vocational Diploma - specific trade or career
Certified Energy Manager (CEM) - Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), Certified Facility Manager (CFM) - International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Facility Management Professional (FMP) - International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
Relevant Experience (7 Years), Progressive Leadership Responsibility (5 Years)
Asset Management, Building Automation Systems, Capital Planning, Clean Rooms, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), Electrical Industry, HVAC Systems, Identifying Problems, Infrastructure Planning, Innovation, Interpersonal Communication, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Leadership, Maintenance Management, Mission Critical Facilities, Oral Communications, Organizational Assessment, Plant Operations, Problem Solving, Process Improvements, Scheduled Maintenance, Teamwork, Utility Infrastructure, Vivarium Design, Written Communication
G16
$96,000.00 - $169,300.00 / Annually
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
- Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
- Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
- Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
- WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
- Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
- We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
- WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
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