Director of Facilities Planning and Construction

Santa-Monica-College; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully paid medical, dental, and vision

18 paid holidays

24 paid vacation days

12 paid illness days

CALPERS retirement

Job summary

Santa Monica College seeks a Director of Facilities Planning and Construction to lead district-wide facilities planning, design, and construction across multiple campuses. The role entails direct accountability for DSA submittals, plan review cycles, and closeout/certification, coordinating with Inspectors of Record and contractors.

The ideal candidate will have extensive California K-14 facilities experience, the ability to manage numerous large-scale projects, and strong presentation skills

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience managing projects through the full California Division of the State Architect (DSA) process.
• Experience administering a district-wide facilities planning and construction program in a California K-14 environment.
• Ability to balance multiple large-scale construction projects and manage contractors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee district-wide facilities planning, design, and construction activities for a multi-campus college.
• Lead and evaluate work of independent construction firms and ensure compliance with contract terms.
• Deliver presentations to Board of Trustees, City and community groups, and planning committees.

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, architecture

Job description

DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION

Santa Monica College is currently undergoing one of the largest new construction developments in its history, and is seeking a new Director of Facilities Planning and Construction to lead the charge in its endeavors. In this capacity, the incumbent will be responsible for overseeing District‑wide facilities planning, design, and construction activities for a multi‑campus college, which includes substantial responsibility for monitoring, directing, and evaluating the work of multiple independent construction firms.

Important Note: This role requires direct, hands‑on experience managing projects through the full California Division of the State Architect (DSA) process — submittal, plan review and back‑check, construction administration, and closeout/certification. This is not a delegated‑oversight role; the Director is personally responsible for DSA outcomes, not as a supervisor of consultants who handle the DSA process on the District's behalf, but as the person accountable for getting projects through the process.

We are looking for a candidate who has significant personal experience:

• Preparing or directing DSA submittal packages and managing plan review/back‑check cycles
• Coordinating with an Inspector of Record (IOR) and ensuring compliance with testing lab documentation requirements on construction projects
• Assembling and reconciling documentation to bring a project to DSA Certification of Compliance
• Managing field changes and determining when DSA notification or resubmittal was required

What You Will Bring to the College

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience administering a District‑wide facilities planning and construction program in a California K‑14 educational environment, which included primarily responsibility for coordinating communication, and planning and project implementation with the Division of the State Architect (DSA). This individual will have experience performing the full scope of construction management activities, from design through completion, as well as prior experience balancing numerous large‑scale construction projects (e.g., new construction) at different stages in the planning and development process. The ideal candidate will be able to effectively manage the activities of construction contractors, hold contractors accountable for their work, and serve as an ardent advocate for the District's best interests in interactions with contractors and stakeholder groups. Additionally, this individual must be able to deliver presentations to the Board of Trustees, City and community groups, and appropriate planning committees regarding facilities planning and development.

Please note that all candidates must have authorization to work in the United States; the District does not have the ability to provide sponsorship.

Important note regarding the District budget

In an effort to address budget shortfalls and ensure the long‑term financial health of the College, the Board of Trustees has approved cost saving measures for the 2026‑27 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. These measures consist of:

1. Two unpaid furlough days per month for management staff, which approximately amounts to a 10% salary reduction
2. Management freezes in step advancement that will halt salary advancement for at least one year

The posted salary for this role does not reflect the two unpaid furlough days per month that took effect on July 1, 2026. Please note that the District will continue to offer fully paid health, dental and vision benefits for employees and their eligible dependents. The salary for this position has been recommended for an increase, but this increase is currently on hold pending approval by the Board of Trustees.

Why Work at SMC?

At SMC, you will work beside a diverse group of colleagues who leverage their combined talents and passions to accomplish something great. No matter what department you are in, or what job you have, your contributions will be critical to helping our students fulfill their dreams - landing that new job, or breaking through the cycle of poverty.

Some details about us

• We are currently the number one transfer college to UCLA, USC, the University of California system, and Loyola Marymount University
• We are dedicated to sustainable practices and are accessible via environmentally‑friendly transportation options, including the Expo Line and Big Blue Bus.
• We are one of the select community colleges in California approved to award a Bachelor's degree. SMC currently awards a Bachelor's degree in Interaction Design.

Please visit www.smc.edu/about to learn more about us and why we are Proud to Be SMC!

Benefits

We value our employees as people, and recognize the value of work‑life balance, the health of you and your family, and professional development. We offer a variety of benefits and perks to support new members of our team, including:

• 18 paid holidays*
• 24 paid vacation days*
• 12 paid illness days*
• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision‑care coverage (including eligible dependents)
• Free mental health assistance through the Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE) program.
• Membership in the California Public Employee Retirement System (CALPERS)
• 5% increase in base pay for every 5 years worked with SMC, up to 40 years of service (suspended for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year by the Board of Trustees)
• Free Big Blue Bus access and monthly incentives for eligible employees through the Sustainable Transportation Incentive Program

*Benefits, holidays, vacation, and illness days listed above assume a 40‑hours per week, 12 months per year schedule. Benefits, vacation and illness days are prorated for other work schedules.

Salary Placement

New Employees: Generally, new employees start at the first step on the salary schedule. A new permanent classified employee may request a higher salary placement based on recruitment issues and/or additional training and experience which greatly exceeds the minimum requirements. Please note that salary placement above the third step requires additional approvals by Santa Monica College executive staff.

Current Employees: Upon promotion, the new salary for a current, permanent employee is based on Merit Rule 12.2.7. In accordance with this rule, employees are entitled to at least a one‑step (5%) salary increase, and may be eligible for advanced step placement in accordance with established criteria.

About the Selection Process

The selection process tentatively consists of a Qualifications Appraisal Interview and Technical Project, which may be preceded by a Training & Experience Evaluation. Candidates must be successful on all test parts to be placed on the eligibility list.

The eligibility list created from this recruitment will be used to fill any vacancies that occur during the six‑month life of the eligibility list, including full‑time and/or part‑time, permanent and/or temporary positions.

Santa Monica College reserves the right to modify the stated test parts and weights prior to the administration of any test.

Communication for this recruitment will be via e‑mail. You must check your e‑mail on a regular basis to be informed of your status for this recruitment.

Test Retake Policy: Based on the District’s hiring needs, we may administer multiple recruitments for this job classification (or a related job classification that uses the same test(s)) within the next several months. Candidates must wait a period of 90 calendar days between testing appointments before retesting. Candidates who are ineligible to participate in an upcoming test or interview due to the provided retake period will be notified via email, and will have their highest valid score(s) on any non‑weighted (pass/fail) test parts applied toward that recruitment.

The Santa Monica Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants for employment, as well as District employees, shall have full and equal access to employment opportunity. No person shall be subjected to unlawful discrimination in any program or activity of the District. The District's Board Policy 3120 (Equal Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination in Employment) may be accessed at http://bit.ly/smc-hr-bp3120

Equity Statement

Santa Monica College encourages candidates that are equity‑minded to apply. SMC is a minority‑serving, Hispanic‑serving institution. We actively seek to attract candidates from minority groups that value equity, diversity, and inclusion. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are built into the culture at SMC, and are an essential component of the work that we do. SMC is committed to racial and socioeconomic diversity as it is a reflection of our student population and we strive to hire candidates that share this commitment.

Develops, oversees and implements computerized records, project management information systems and project management controls to enhance operational efficiencies and track facilities expense records; develops, oversees and implements system workflows to communicate construction‑related matters with all stakeholders.

Directs and evaluates the work of contract architectural, project management and construction management firms, and general contractors for compliance with contract specifications and terms and conditions; authorizes payment in accordance with contract provisions.

Directs the operating budget development process, monitors adherence to project budgets, and analyzes, negotiates, recommends and prepares change orders, budget adjustments and modifications as appropriate.

Oversees the selection and work of architects, engineers, planning and design consultants, project managers, construction managers, contractors and other professionals, in addition to negotiating their scope of work and contractual agreements.

Coordinates with various city and state offices, agencies and groups to obtain timely building permits, zoning changes and environmental impact reports.

Represents the District in meetings, hearings, and conferences with contractors, representatives from public agencies, regulatory agencies, legislative bodies, business organizations, community groups, and the general public.

Ensures department compliance with District policy and procedures and applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Serves as liaison between college staff, administrators and contract architectural and engineering firms

Plans and directs the activities of the Facilities Planning Department, which include the areas of facilities planning and design, facilities renovation and improvement, facilities construction and facilities funding and budget.

Serves as the District’s advisor to the Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee.

Makes presentations to the Board of Trustees, city and community groups, and appropriate planning committees to secure buy‑in and advise on matters regarding facilities planning and development.

Analyzes needs for new and existing facilities and makes recommendation for facilities improvements; determines new and remodeled facilities’ project scope and timelines.

Manages District‑wide facilities utilization analysis, long‑range facilities planning and facilities design, including the Facilities Master Plan.

Oversees and coordinates the submission and tracking of the Capital Outlay Program, Scheduled Maintenance Program, Hazardous Materials Removal Program, Five Year Capital Construction Plan, Space Inventory, and the other state or federal programs.

Conveys information to appropriate parties regarding technology infrastructure projects, including data and communications networks and wiring systems, computer laboratories, audio/visual systems, and security and fire alarm systems.

Develops proposals and implements plans for energy conservation and sustainability.

Plans for future property needs and uses, site development, entitlements, and approvals.

Provides policy recommendations to develop or revise legislation, regulations and controls affecting the District’s Facilities planning and construction program.

Performs other related duties as requested or assigned.

Examples of essential duties are descriptive and not restrictive in nature, and are generally listed in descending order of importance.

Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in business, architecture,