Director of Plant and Facilities Services

The Town of West Hartford; West Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Vision and life insurance

Retirement plan with town match

Paid time off

Job summary

The Town of West Hartford is seeking a Director of Plant and Facilities Services to lead a comprehensive facilities program for Town and Board of Education properties totaling over 2.4 million square feet. You will plan, budget, and oversee maintenance, renovations, energy management and capital investments, while directing staff and consultants.

Requirements include a relevant engineering/management degree and at least ten years in facilities management with supervisory experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Management, or closely related field.
• Ten years of progressive facilities management experience, including at least three years in supervision.
• Valid motor vehicle operator's license.

Responsibilities

• Consults with and advises the Town Manager and Superintendent of Schools on strategic facilities plans.
• Oversees maintenance, renovation, repair, and restoration of 2.4 million square feet of facilities.
• Develops long-range facility maintenance plans and capital improvement budget.
• Manages the Town's Utilities Services Fund and energy cost strategies.
• Selects and directs consultants and contractors for specific tasks.

Skills

Facilities management

Budgeting

Leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Management, or closely related field

Job description

Frontline Applicant Tracking - the Town of West Hartford

Director of Plant and Facilities Services JobID: 565

• Position Type: Directors
• Date Posted: 10/26/2026
• Date Available: TBD

The Town of West Hartford

Announces an Open Competitive Examination

For the Position of

Director of Plant and Facilities Services

(Unclassified/Non-Union Position)

Annual Salary range:$100,000 - $189,000

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until an offer is made and accepted.

Job Purpose

Under the administrative direction of the Town Manager and Superintendent of Schools, or their designee, the Director of Plant and Facilities Services plans, develops, directs, and evaluates a comprehensive public facilities management program encompassing the maintenance, renovation, repair, and restoration of more than 2.4 million square feet of Town and Board of Education facilities. The Director ensures the coordination and delivery of daily facilities services while providing strategic leadership to preserve public assets, modernize aging infrastructure, and meet the evolving needs of municipal operations, schools and the community. The Director is responsible for the strategic planning, budgeting, implementation, and oversight of comprehensive facilities management services, including the development of a long-term strategic plan to assess facility conditions, prioritize capital investments, and address the Town's and Board of Education's aging facilities. The position also provides leadership and strategic financial management of the Town's $6 million Utilities Services Fund, established to manage the volatility of energy costs and support effective, sustainable, and fiscally responsible energy management across Town and Board of Education facilities.

Essential Job Functions

Consults with and advises the Town Manager and Superintendent of Schools on the development and review of strategic town wide plans, policies, and priorities related to facilities management, infrastructure investment, energy management, and long term capital planning.

Provides day to day supervision and direction for Town and Board of Education facility maintenance and custodial employees to meet established goals and objectives; establishes performance standards and conducts administrative reviews and program evaluations in order to monitor and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of services.

Oversees the maintenance, renovation, repair, and restoration of more than 2.4 million square feet of Town and Board of Education facilities, ensuring that buildings and associated systems are safe, functional, well-maintained, and responsive to the needs of their users.

Provides leadership in the development and implementation of a comprehensive long-term strategic facilities plan that assesses the condition of existing buildings, identifies infrastructure and building system needs, establishes priorities for renovation and restoration, and guides capital investment decisions to address the Town's and Board of Educations aging facilities.

Appoints employees in the department, conducts and reviews performance evaluations; approves salary adjustments and disciplinary actions; administers and complies with all collective bargaining agreements and personnel rules covering the facility maintenance employees and administers a comprehensive human resource program for employees in conjunction with the Town and Board of Education human resource offices and Corporation Counsel.

Provides appropriate training and skill development programs for employees to improve performance, assure standard safety procedures are utilized and be in full compliance with all local, state and federal laws and requirements.

Establishes and maintains a system of quality control to provide relevant information for decision making, improve productivity and enhance individual and programmatic accountability to ensure optimal performance and quality of contracted and in-house services; develops systems to track and report service requests and responses, and complaints from users and tenants.

Develops and administers Town and Board of Education operational and capital improvement budget as related to facility management operations in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Develops long range facility maintenance plans for all Town and Board of Education buildings including space analysis and program needs; capital improvement and investment needs; and maintenance and upkeep.

Prepares capital budget recommendations for the Town's Capital Improvement Program. Works cooperatively with other Town entities to facilitate capital construction projects.Coordinates facility management duties as necessary to assist in the completion of Town and Board of Education capital projects.

Provides leadership and strategic management of the Town's $6 million Utilities Services Fund, including monitoring energy expenditures, evaluating cost trends and market volatility, supporting financial forecasting and budget development, and recommending strategies to manage energy costs and mitigate financial risk.

Manages capital projects within public facilities, develops specifications and oversees contractor performance and project completion; coordinates and oversees office relocations and moves.

Examines, identifies, and makes recommendations on opportunities for improvements and cost savings through energy conservation initiatives, work method enhancements and service and supply contracting methods.

Selects and directs consultants and contractors engaged for specific tasks such as architectural and engineering services, construction and renovation operations, or maintenance and repair of Town and Board of Education facilities. Procures appropriate goods and services in accordance with Town and Board of Education policies and procedures.

Additional Job Responsibilities

Manages rental and outside use of Town and Board of Education facilities in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Keeps abreast of developments in facilities management through attendance at meetings, conferences, and workshops and through consistent review of relevant literature.

Assures response to facility emergency situations, such as plumbing, vandalism, alarms, or mechanical failures at all hours.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and intergovernmental relations and the ability to apply those principles and practices to solve practical problems.

Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of construction techniques, architectural and engineering principles and maintenance requirements as related to the design and management of public facilities.

Considerable knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to facilities' engineering, architecture and maintenance work, including but not limited to, local, state and federal life/safety and health codes, including Americans with Disabilities Act, fire and building codes.

Extensive managerial and supervisory ability, including the ability to plan and set objectives, direct and control diverse programs, motivate, develop and train employees, and work with advisory boards, citizen groups and various local, state, and federal officials.

Ability to design, develop and administer public facility maintenance and management programs to meet the specific needs of the municipality and its various departmental entities.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, subordinates, other departments and employees, outside contractors, and the public.

Ability to maintain management information systems and prepare and present technical reports in clear, concise and attractive form to non-technical audiences; ability to communicate effectively in both an oral and written manner.

Ability to read and interpret blueprints, plans, and contracts.

A working familiarity with the building trades; vocational training in carpentry, electrical, HVAC or plumbing desirable.

Health and dental insurance; employer paid vision insurance and life & long-term disability insurance; flexible spending account; Defined Contribution plan with a Town match of employee contribution up to a maximum of 13% of base earnings on a dollar-for-dollar basis OR a Hybrid Retirement Plan (Part E Pension Plan and 401(a) Plan); vacation, holiday, and sick paid time off.

Work is performed primarily in a business office setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noise. Works independently with minimum of supervision. Position requires an ability to frequently move throughout Town facilities and travel to off-site locations for regular inspection of buildings and attendance at meetings. Must be able to work under stress from demanding deadlines and changing priorities and conditions. Manages and coordinates multiple priorities adhering to established time frames and performance standards. Frequent interactions with people who may, at times, be agitated.Attends to tasks/functions for more than sixty (60) minutes at a time. Attendance and participation required at numerous meetings outside the normal business workday. 24/7 operation.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Management, or closely related field with ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in building and facilities management.Must have at least three (3) years of management or supervisory experience in the field of construction or facilities management or a combination of education and qualifying experience deemed equivalent by the Director of Human Resources. Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license and a driving record in compliance with the Town of West Hartford Safe Driving policy.

Method of Selection

The evaluation of education and professional experience will determine qualified candidates for further consideration. The Town and Superintendent of Schools reserve the right to limit the number of qualified candidates invited to participate in any portion of the examination process. Potential employment is contingent upon pre-employment background and reference checks.

Application Process

It is the policy of the Town of West Hartford that discrimination in any way on the basis race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity/expression, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, military/veteran status, political belief, criminal record, disability or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements and any exceptions under applicable state or federal law toward employees is strictly prohibited and will be not be tolerated.

The above description is intended as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed and are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. It is intended as a guide for personnel actions and must not be taken as a complete itemization of all facets of any job. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The Town of West Hartford provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need an accommodation on the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 860-561-7488 or email Alan Horner.

Individuals who do not have access to a computer or need assistance completing an online application may visit the Noah Webster Library or its branches for access and assistance.