Interim Hospital Plant Operations Director

Cibola Hospital; Grants (NM); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Cibola Hospital is seeking an Interim Plant Operations Director to lead the facility's maintenance, safety, and security programs. The role oversees capital projects, regulatory compliance, and budget performance while driving continuous improvement and cost optimization.

Ideal candidates bring 7–10 years of leadership in plant operations, with 5+ years supervising multiple departments, strong financial acumen, and knowledge of applicable codes and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field (Master's preferred).
• Experience: 7-10 years leadership in plant operations/facilities; 5+ years in multi-department supervisory role.
• Knowledge of codes/regulations (NFPA, OSHA, TJC/CMS, FDA food codes).
• Strong budget and financial management skills.
• Preferred certifications: CHFM, CMRP or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Direct all aspects of facility maintenance, preventive maintenance, repairs, and capital projects.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, TJC/CMS, EPA, ADA, etc.
• Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets; monitor expenditures.
• Lead long-term facility planning, energy-management initiatives.
• Provide oversight of Security Department; incident response and coordination with authorities.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and retain high-performing teams; mentor staff.
• Prepare and present KPI reports to senior leadership.
• Liaise with vendors, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Participate in Emergency Management and Environment of Care committees.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Facilities operations

Strategic thinking

Communication

Change management

Problem-solving

Safety

Operational excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management / Engineering / Business Administration

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CMMS

Energy-management programs

Job description

Description

The Interim Plant Operations Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the facility. This role ensures a safe, clean, compliant, and efficient environment that supports the core mission of the organization while optimizing costs, regulatory compliance, and service quality.

Plant Operations & Maintenance

Direct all aspects of facility maintenance, preventive maintenance programs, repairs, and capital projects for buildings, grounds, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.

Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations (OSHA, NFPA, TJC/CMS if applicable, EPA, ADA, etc.).

Develop and manage the annual operating and capital budgets for Plant Operations; monitor expenditures and identify cost-saving opportunities.

Lead long-term facility planning, including space utilization, infrastructure upgrades, and energy-management initiatives.

Security

Provide oversight of the Security Department to maintain a safe and secure environment for patients, residents, staff, and visitors.

Develop and enforce security policies, emergency preparedness plans, access control systems, and incident response protocols.

Partner with local law enforcement and coordinate investigations as needed.

Support Services Leadership

General Leadership & Administration

Recruit, train, mentor, and retain high-performing teams; maintain appropriate staffing levels and productivity standards.

Champion continuous improvement and customer-service excellence programs.

Prepare and present monthly/quarterly reports on key performance indicators (KPIs), budget variance, regulatory compliance, and service metrics to senior leadership.

Serve as a key member of the facility's Emergency Management and Environment of Care committees.

Act as the primary liaison with vendors, contractors, and regulatory agencies for all areas under responsibility.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field (Master's preferred).

Experience may be substituted for education. Minimum 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in plant operations/facilities management, with at least 5 years in a multi-department supervisory role.

Demonstrated experience managing maintenance.

Working knowledge of applicable codes and regulations (NFPA, OSHA, TJC/CMS, FDA food codes, etc.).

Strong budget and financial management skills.

Preferred:

Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM), Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), or equivalent credentials.

Experience with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and energy-management programs.

Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.

Key Competencies

Strategic thinking and operational excellence

Strong leadership, team development, and change-management skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities

Proven problem-solving and decision-making under pressure

High integrity and commitment to regulatory compliance and safety

Physical & Working Conditions

On-site with frequent facility-wide rounds and on-call availability for emergencies.

Ability to walk, stand, and navigate all areas of the facility (including mechanical rooms, roofs, and grounds).