Project Manager Engineering & Maintenance (On-Site)

Colonial Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group is seeking a Project Manager within its Engineering & Maintenance Department to oversee building maintenance and coordinate preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance across mechanical systems. The role emphasizes training staff, SOP development, and collaboration with internal teams and vendors to ensure cost-effective, reliable operations.

You will lead onsite troubleshooting, safety reviews, and turnover activities, while supporting REAC inspections and capital

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• HVAC and BMS related certifications are a plus.
• 5+ years of comparable experience in building maintenance or facility operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance of mechanical systems, heating plants, and associated infrastructure.
• Coordinate with vendors and internal teams on project design and scope.
• Prepare detailed reports on issues, performance, safety risks, and corrective actions.
• Provide onsite troubleshooting and technical guidance across building systems.
• Lead staff training, SOP development, and mentoring for ongoing competency.

Skills

Building systems knowledge

BMS proficiency

Communication

Troubleshooting

Project coordination

Mentoring staff

Reading drawings

Education

High School diploma

HVAC certification

BMS controls certification

Tools

MS Office

Work order systems

Reporting tools

Job description

Areas of Responsibility and Job Requirements

The Engineering and Maintenance Department is responsible for overseeing building maintenance and the performance of all mechanical systems, including the execution of predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance for all building equipment, systems, and heating plants.

The Project Manager reports directly to the Director of Maintenance and partners closely with him to manage and enhance overall building maintenance performance. This role supports key initiatives including, but not limited to, seasonal start-ups, winterization, training, and the development of standard operating procedures. The Project Manager provides technical expertise, supports team development, and delivers practical, results-driven solutions that align with departmental and organizational goals.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Assists with training the maintenance staff on heating plants, PTAC units, heat pump systems, access control systems, security systems, life safety systems, irrigation systems, cooling towers, geothermal systems (where applicable), and other mechanical building components.
• Partners with L+M Builders and internal project teams on pre-construction, renovation, and preservation projects, assessing maintenance-related items and ensuring operational needs are properly incorporated into project design and scope.
• Prepares detailed reports that document existing issues, system performance concerns, safety risks, and recommended corrective actions.
• Provides onsite troubleshooting support for buildings and mechanical systems, including hydronics, steam boiler plants, HVAC equipment, circulating pumps, BMS/controls systems, and utility infrastructure.
• Performs comprehensive building inspections to identify deficiencies, code concerns, safety issues, and opportunities for preventive maintenance or operational improvement.
• Assists Property Managers and Superintendents during emergency situations, coordinating response efforts, guiding troubleshooting, and ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Conducts technical training sessions and serves as a mentor for new hires and maintenance staff, supporting ongoing skill development and operational readiness.
• Provides feedback to the Director of Building Operations on creating, updating, and refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Attends manufacturer training programs for mechanical and building systems installed at current and future properties to stay current with new technologies and best practices.
• Supports building turnover processes, including punch-list development, contractor coordination, and ensuring mechanical, life-safety, and operational systems meet turnover standards.
• Provides REAC inspection assistance, helping prepare sites, identifying and correcting deficiencies, and supporting onsite teams to ensure compliance with HUD and regulatory standards.
• Collaborates with vendors and contractors, reviewing scopes of work, monitoring performance, validating completion, and ensuring work is performed to company standards and industry best practices.
• Conducts vendor performance evaluations, tracking reliability, responsiveness, quality of work, contract compliance, and cost-effectiveness to guide vendor selection and renewal decisions.
• Looks for ways to increase efficiencies and sustainability, identifies processes, systems, or equipment not operating at peak performance, and recommends energy-saving and cost-reducing improvements.
• Generates reports following inspections and audits for managerial review, including findings, corrective action recommendations, and follow-up timelines.
• Supports capital planning and preventive maintenance programs, identifying aging equipment, recommending replacements, and contributing to long-term asset management strategies.

Minimum Education Requirements

• High School diploma
• Technical certifications (HVAC, boiler operations, BMS controls, etc.) are a plus.

Minimum Years of Experience Required

• 5 plus years of comparable experience

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of building mechanical systems, including heating plants, hydronics, steam boilers, cooling towers, emergency generators, circulating pumps, PTAC units, heat pump systems, split systems, and geothermal systems (a plus).
• Strong understanding of Building Management Systems (BMS), including system navigation, alarm interpretation, scheduling, trending, and coordination with controls vendors.
• Knowledge of building turnover requirements and processes, including punch-list standards and contractor coordination.
• Familiarity with REAC inspection requirements, common deficiency categories, and preparation strategies to ensure high scores.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, mechanical, and electrical drawings.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with staff, residents, vendors, and leadership.
• Ability to proactively anticipate issues, troubleshoot problems, and recommend solutions with minimal oversight.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently, make decisions under pressure, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to train, coach, and mentor staff across varying skill and experience levels.
• Proficiency with work order systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook

Competencies/Essential Job Functions

• Technical Expertise– Uses deep knowledge of building systems to diagnose issues, evaluate risks, and support field operations.
• Leadership & Collaboration – Works effectively with Superintendents, Property Managers, regional teams, and construction partners.
• Communication – Clearly articulates expectations, findings, and recommendations in both written and verbal form.
• Accountability – Takes ownership of tasks and ensures timely follow-through.
• Analytical Thinking – Reviews data, identifies trends, and develops solutions to improve system performance.
• Adaptability – Responds effectively to emergencies, evolving priorities, and various field conditions.
• Customer Service Orientation – Approaches resident and team needs with professionalism, urgency, and care.

Work Environment

• Work is performed across multiple residential buildings, mechanical rooms, rooftops, and exterior spaces.
• Requires regular travel between properties within the portfolio.
• Must be able to climb stairs, access mechanical areas, and work in environments with variable temperatures, noise levels, and equipment conditions.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for emergencies or project-based needs.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of this position. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this position at any time with or without notice.