Chief Engineer

CSU; Turlock (CA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

PERS retirement

Education fee waiver program

15 paid holidays

Job summary

CSU Stanislaus is seeking an Administrator II to manage campus mechanical operations, including HVAC, boilers, chillers, and energy systems. You will supervise Central Plant, plumbing, and mechanical staff, administer contracts, and drive maintenance programs in accordance with campus policies and CBAs.

Effective candidate will coordinate with departments, contractors, and regulatory agencies, ensure regulatory compliance, and lead safety and workforce development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management or central plant operations.
• Two (2) years of direct supervisory/management experience.
• Experience interpreting CSU policies, safety regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.

Responsibilities

• Implement and administer policies and practices for mechanical maintenance and building systems operations.
• Interpret CSU regulations, campus policies, CBAs, building codes, and safety requirements.
• Set operational priorities and coordinate activities to meet campus needs.
• Plan mechanical infrastructure, lifecycle replacement, energy efficiency, and reliability.
• Provide recommendations on systems operations, maintenance, and renovations.
• Oversee contracts, procurement, and budget expenditures for mechanical services.
• Supervise mechanical shop staff and coordinate staffing and scheduling.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and campus standards.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Budget management

Facilities operations

Regulatory compliance

Team leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management

Job description

Position Summary

Classified as: Administrator II

Full-time position under the Management Personnel Plan (MPP) available on or after October 1, 2026 for Mechanical Trades.

This position’s responsibilities are carried out with minimal direction and require independent judgment in managing campus mechanical operations and maintenance programs, including HVAC systems, Energy Management Systems, Central Boiler and Chiller Plant operations, building automation controls, and related mechanical infrastructure. The incumbent supervises Central Plant, plumbing, and mechanical operations personnel; administers service contracts, operational resources, and preventative maintenance programs; and oversees mechanical system maintenance, repair, renovation, and construction activities. The incumbent implements operational procedures, coordinates departmental activities, and ensures compliance with applicable regulations, campus policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

Job Duties

• Implement and administer departmental policies, procedures, and operational practices related to mechanical maintenance and building systems operations.
• Interpret and apply CSU regulations, campus policies, collective bargaining agreements, building codes, and environmental and safety compliance requirements applicable to mechanical operations.
• Establish operational priorities and coordinate departmental activities to support divisional objectivesand campus operational needs.
• Participate in planning efforts related to mechanical infrastructure, equipment lifecycle replacement, energy efficiency, deferred maintenance, and operational reliability.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding mechanical system operations, maintenance practices, renovation projects, and equipment replacement strategies.
• Serve as a departmental resource regarding mechanical system operations, maintenance standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Participate on campus committees and coordinate with campus departments, contractors, consultants, and regulatory agencies regarding facilities operational matters.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and reliability of campus mechanical systems including HVAC systems, Energy Management Systems, Central Boiler and Chiller Plant equipment, building automation controls, and related mechanical infrastructure.
• Administer maintenance and operational programs for assigned mechanical systems and facilities to support regulatory compliance, equipment reliability, and campus operational needs.
• Administer service contracts and oversee contractor and consultant performance related to boilers, chillers, elevators, water treatment systems, emissions source testing, and mechanical control systems.
• Evaluate mechanical system operational issues and determine appropriate corrective actions, maintenance priorities, and operational improvements.
• Administer departmental operating budgets and monitor expenditures for labor, materials, equipment, maintenance activities, and contracted services.
• Administer procurement activities, operational purchases, and service agreements in accordance with campus purchasing procedures.
• Implement operational improvements to support system efficiency, equipment reliability, and service delivery.
• Supervise mechanical shop personnel and oversee staffing priorities, operational scheduling, and maintenance activities.
• Oversee union-represented, non-represented, and student employees assigned to mechanical operations and maintenance functions.
• Direct employee training and workforce development activities related to safety practices, regulatory compliance, and mechanical system operations.
• Conduct performance evaluations and address employee performance, attendance, and corrective action matters in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and campus policies.
• Ensure compliance with workplace safety regulations, department procedures, and campus operational standards.
• Participate in recruitment, workforce planning, and staffing coordination for assigned operational areas.
• May be required to obtain additional training and/or certification as part of professional development, based on department and/or campus needs, to stay current with industry standards.
• At the direction of appropriate administrator, may provide support to other areas as needed.
• The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, a logical assignment to
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering Management, Construction Management, Public Administration, or other relevant field. Additional progressively responsible experience directly related to the duties of the position may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Experience: Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities management, central plant operations, mechanical systems, or building operations. Two (2) years of direct supervisory/management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Facilities Management, Engineering Management, Construction Management, Public Administration, or other relevant field.
• Six (6) years of direct related experience.
• Prior experience in a CSU or higher education setting.
• Experience supervising skilled trades personnel, operational staff, or subordinate leads/supervisors within facilities maintenance, mechanical operations, or a related infrastructure environment.
• Experience managing departmental budgets, service contracts, procurement activities, and operational resources associated with mechanical systems, facilities maintenance, construction, or renovation projects.
• Experience interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements, safety regulations, and operational policies within a unionized facilities or maintenance environment.
• Experience overseeing HVAC systems, central plant equipment, thermal energy storage systems, public swimming pool operations, building automation systems, or related mechanical infrastructure within a large institutional or campus setting.
• Experience coordinating operational improvement initiatives, maintenance programs, and cross-functional facilities projects related to mechanical systems reliability, infrastructure maintenance, and regulatory compliance within a complex institutional environment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of the assigned functional area.
• Knowledge of university governance structures and organizational processes.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and CSU policies, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to independently interpret and implement policies and recommend procedural improvements.
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to develop and manage budgets and financial resources.
• Ability to supervise professional staff and, where applicable, subordinate supervisors.
• Ability to apply labor agreements and advise on employee relations matters.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Skill in data analysis, reporting, and operational assessment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Special Conditions

• Position may be required to travel.

License or Certifications

• Valid California Driver License

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary Range

Anticipated starting salary will be $9,532 - $10,164 per month plus excellent paid benefits. Salary will depend on the qualifications of the successful finalist.

Compensation & Benefits

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, outstanding vacation, health, dental, and vision plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year. Link to Benefits Summary: CSU Employee Benefit Summary

Application Deadline

OPEN UNTIL FILLED; SCREENING TO BEGIN ON OR AFTER AUGUST 19, 2026 (Applications received after the screening date will be considered at the discretion of the university.)

Background Clearance Notice

Satisfactory completion of a background check (which includes checks of employment records, education records, criminal records, civil records; and may include motor vehicle records, professional licenses, and sex offender registries, as position requires) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position. Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet theminimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Additional Information

California State University, Stanislaus serves the San Joaquin Valley and is a critical educational resource for a six-county region of approximately 1.5 million people. The University is fully committed to creating a culture of diversity and inclusion – one in which every person in the University community feels safe to express their views without fear of reprisal. Widely recognized for its quality academic programs, the University has 10 nationally accredited programs and 662 faculty members. 94 percent of full-time faculty holds doctorates or terminal degrees in their fields. The University offers 43 undergraduate majors, 16 master's programs, 7 post-graduate credentials, a doctorate in education and serves more than 10,000 students. New instructional facilities have been built for the unique pedagogy of professional programs, laboratory sciences and performing arts.

Stanislaus State continues to receive national recognition with its ranking as one of the best 384 colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review. The University was one of 12 public universities in the nation to be recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for demonstrating exceptional performance in retention and graduation rates. In addition, U.S. News and World Report ranks Stanislaus State in its top 10 among public universities in the West, while Washington Monthly honored Stanislaus State as the West’s No. 1 university for the money. Stanislaus State also is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.

Clery Act Disclosure

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the annual security report (ASR), is now available for viewing at https://www.csustan.edu/annual-campus-security-report. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Stanislaus State for the previous three years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the office of the Clery Director located at One University Circle, Turlock, CA 95382.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised 7/21/17, as a condition of employment.

Applicants requiring necessary accommodations to the application process may contact the Human Resources Department at [phone]. California Relay Service is available at [phone] voice and [phone] TDD.As a federal contractor, we are committed to attracting a diverse applicant pool. Please consider completing the Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability form (your response will not be shared with the search committee) at: Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability PDF Form.

CSU Stanislaus hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

The CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. The CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.

Contact

The individuals who appear to be the best qualified for this position will be contacted by telephone or email for an interview.

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

Advertised: Aug 05 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close: