Assistant Director, Utilities & Infrastructure

UT Tyler; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Arlington seeks an Assistant Director to lead HVAC, controls, plumbing, and electrical maintenance across campus. You will oversee skilled trades teams, set priorities, and implement maintenance standards to ensure safe, reliable campus operations.

Responsibilities include budgeting, asset lifecycle planning, and collaboration with engineering, construction teams and departments to support a high-functioning learning environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, facilities management, or related field with five years overseeing skilled trades in a complex environment or nine years equivalent experience.
• Class C Texas driver’s license with a clean MVR in past 3 years; Defensive Driving Awareness Training valid for 3 years.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership of HVAC, Controls, Plumbing, and Electrical maintenance shops.
• Manages supervisors, skilled trades personnel, and technical staff for campus infrastructure maintenance.
• Establishes priorities, service expectations, and performance goals.
• Develops standardized maintenance processes and best practices.
• Leads safety, training, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

HVAC systems

Leadership

Budgets

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Niagara/BACnet building automation systems

CMMS

Job description

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The annual salary for this position ranges from $90,200 to $102,399. The final offer will be commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required:

• Resume


• References (minimum of three)

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

• 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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 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.

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday; 8:00am through 5:00pm .

Working Conditions

• Driving of UT owned vehicle required.


• May work in all weather conditions.


• May work around electrical and/or mechanical hazards.


• Sensory detection required (sight, sound, smell, color discernment)

Benefits Information

Position is benefit eligible: Yes

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees at the University.

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a pre employment background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.

This position may have access to critical infrastructure as defined by Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If so, to be hired for and continue to be employed in this position you must maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure as set forth in Texas Executive Order GA 48. By assuming this position, and if you have access to critical infrastructure, you authorize the University to conduct routine background checks.

University Information

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution, UTA is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of more than 42,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution and nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and service. It ranks No. 5 in Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges” and is the top university in North Texas for its graduates’ salaries (The Wall Street Journal). UTA is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and is No. 6 for undergraduate ethnic diversity in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). With a global alumni network of approximately 280,000 – including leaders at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas – UTA contributes an estimated $29 billion annually to the Texas economy.

UTA is expanding its regional footprint by building a regional campus, called UTA West, in Parker County on the far west side of Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open in fall 2028. This initiative aligns with the university’s strategic growth and commitment to serving the broader community.

This is an exciting time to join UTA and contribute to its bold vision for the future.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University’s compliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations

The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email [e-mail] .