Trades Services Manager

The California State University; Pomona (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State University is seeking an experienced leader to oversee campus Trades Shops (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Maintenance, Paint, and Lock) in Pomona. You will plan daily operations, schedule work orders, and supervise shop supervisors to ensure safe, reliable facility services.

You will direct maintenance programs, coordinate major projects, manage budgets, and partner with cross-functional teams to optimize infrastructure performance and lifecycle costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college/university or equivalent education and experience.
• Driver license valid in-state.
• Five years of facilities operations and maintenance in a complex environment.
• 3–5 years of direct supervisory or management experience overseeing multiple skilled trades.
• Experience managing preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Experience coordinating multi-trade maintenance and deferred maintenance projects.
• Experience coordinating major maintenance projects, system shutdowns, and capital improvements.
• Experience managing operational budgets, cost tracking, and financial reporting.
• Experience collaborating with contractors, project managers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Knowledge of building codes, OSHA safety standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience developing scopes of work, technical specs, RFPs, and evaluating contractor performance.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, direction, and operational oversight for campus Trades Shops.
• Directs operation, maintenance, repair, and continuous improvement of campus infrastructure.
• Develops comprehensive preventive, predictive, and routine maintenance programs.
• Oversees CMMS maintenance schedules, asset records, and documentation.
• Plans major maintenance shutdowns and coordinate during outages to minimize disruptions.
• Collaborates with planning, design, and construction and campus stakeholders to support projects.
• Manages budgets, procurement, and personnel within the Trades Shops.
• Ensures compliance with codes, safety standards, and university policies.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Facilities operations

CMMS

Building codes

OSHA compliance

Budgeting

Project coordination

Contractor collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

CMMS (TMA/CMMS)

Job description

Job no: 561726
Work type: Management (MPP), Staff
Location: Pomona
Categories: MPP, At-Will, Custodial/Facilities, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Trades Shops (MEP, Maintenance, Paint, and Lock)

• Provides leadership, direction, and operational oversight for the campus Trades Shops, including HVAC, Controls, Electrical, Plumbing, Maintenance, Paint, and Lock.
• Through direct supervision of shop supervisors, plans, prioritizes, and coordinates daily operations, work order scheduling, preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and staffing resources to ensure efficient, safe, and reliable support of campus facilities and infrastructure.
• Directs the operation, maintenance, repair, and continuous improvement of the campus's mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and utility infrastructure, including the central chilled water plant; HVAC and building automation/control systems; domestic and reclaimed water distribution systems; sewer, storm drain, natural gas, laboratory air, and distilled water systems; electrical substations, distribution networks, transformers, switchgear, motor control centers, lighting systems, and associated equipment.
• Ensures these systems are operated, maintained, and repaired in accordance with applicable codes, regulatory requirements, safety standards, and university policies while maximizing system reliability and operational efficiency.
• Develops, administers, and continuously improves comprehensive preventive, predictive, and routine maintenance programs for major building systems, utility infrastructure, and campus assets.
• Oversees implementation of maintenance programs through the university's computerized maintenance management system (TMA/CMMS), ensuring maintenance schedules, asset records, inspections, and documentation are current, accurate, and support regulatory compliance, operational planning, and informed decision-making.
• Works collaboratively with shop supervisors to monitor system performance, evaluate equipment condition, identify infrastructure renewal needs, and research, recommend, and implement equipment upgrades and replacement strategies that improve reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and lifecycle performance.
• Plans and manages major maintenance shutdowns, utility outages, emergency repairs, and infrastructure restoration activities while coordinating the efforts of university personnel, contractors, consultants, and outside agencies to minimize disruptions to campus operations and ensure timely completion of work.
• Ensures all maintenance, repair, and operational activities are performed in accordance with established quality standards, applicable building codes, environmental and safety regulations, manufacturer recommendations, and university requirements.
• Conducts periodic inspections of facilities, evaluates operational performance, and directs corrective actions necessary to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient building operations.
• Provides management oversight of the Lock Shop, including coordination of campus door hardware standards, keying systems, and physical security requirements.
• Collaborates with Planning, Design & Construction on security hardware specifications for capital projects and works with Information Technology, Public Safety, and other campus stakeholders to support the planning, implementation, and ongoing improvement of campus security and safety initiatives.

Projects and Vendor Coordination

• Leads and coordinates complex, multi-trade projects by directing collaboration across internal units and managing communication, scheduling, and coordination with external vendors, contractors, and campus stakeholders.
• Oversees the planning, execution, and successful delivery of operational, Deferred Maintenance (DM), and special projects to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and in compliance with university standards, regulatory requirements, and project objectives.
• Collaborates with trades supervisors, project managers, and contractors to minimize operational disruptions and ensure effective project integration with ongoing campus operations.
• Communicates project updates, campus impacts, scheduling changes, risks, and other pertinent information to the direct supervisor to support operational awareness, decision-making, and stakeholder coordination.
• Partners closely with Planning, Design & Construction, Facilities Planning & Management leadership, campus departments, consultants, and contractors to support the planning, design, construction, commissioning, maintenance, and operation of building systems and campus utilities.
• Provides operational expertise for capital improvement projects, coordinates maintenance activities affecting critical infrastructure, and helps ensure continuity of campus services during renovations, upgrades, shutdowns, and emergency response activities.

Administrative and Fiscal Management

• Works with the Director of Operations & Maintenance and Senior Associate Vice President of FPM to develop and oversee utility-related budgets and costs, ensuring alignment with overall goals.
• Collaboratively develops short- and long-term strategies to enhance utility system performance, efficiency, and infrastructure renewal. In partnership with the Capital Finance & Budget Manager, prepares the annual operating and capital budgets for the HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Maintenance, Paint, and Lock shops.
• Monitors expenditures to ensure alignment with departmental goals and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Assists with budget forecasting, trend analysis, and the development of financial pro formas and monthly reports to support data-informed decision-making.
• Maintains accurate records, ensures regulatory compliance, and oversees maintenance and repair work to meet established quality and safety standards.
• Collaborates with the Design and Construction team to obtain cost estimates for maintenance and repair work and communicates deferred maintenance priorities to stakeholders.
• Identifies funding opportunities to support infrastructure improvements and continuously evaluates strategies to enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Develops supporting procurement and project documentation, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), plans, technical specifications, and campus performance standards.
• Evaluates contractor and vendor performance and provides input on capital and maintenance projects to ensure compliance with campus standards, operational requirements, and approved materials and equipment specifications.
• Prepares and processes requisitions to establish purchase orders for required goods and services.
• Provides leadership and oversight for personnel management within the assigned Trades Shops, including organizational planning, position and job description development, performance management, employee coaching, attendance management, and resolution of personnel issues.
• Ensures employee accountability and compliance with university policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable employment practices.

Organizational Excellence

• Leads with a team-oriented, service-driven approach, emphasizing collaboration, strong technical expertise, and effective communication.
• Promotes a positive work environment and a customer service-focused culture by leading through example.
• Provides direction and supervision through coaching, performance evaluations, and mentoring, addressing personnel matters as needed.
• Builds staff competence and fosters an environment where employees are recognized for their contributions to the success of the facilities team.
• Promotes a safe, productive, and professional work environment by ensuring adherence to workplace safety standards, regulatory requirements, and university safety procedures.
• Supports employee development through coaching, performance evaluations, and ongoing communication of performance expectations.
• Maintains current knowledge of industry standards, emerging technologies, and best practices to support continuous improvement in workforce management, operational effectiveness, and service delivery.
• The incumbent will evaluate and improve the department’s organizational structure to align with the FPM Strategy Map, university mission, operational needs, and available resources. This includes assessing staffing, roles, and workflow efficiency; leading process improvements; and implementing SAVP-approved structural changes that enhance collaboration and service delivery. The incumbent will collaborate with FP&M colleagues, including Planning, Design & Construction, and campus partners to ensure alignment across units and that standards are incorporated, implemented, and inspected for compliance

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree - Graduate from a four-year college/university or equivalent education and experience and
• DL NUMBER - Driver License, Valid and in State
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible facilities operations and maintenance experience in a complex institutional, commercial, healthcare, higher education, or public-sector environment.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of direct supervisory or management experience overseeing multiple skilled trades operations such as plumbing, maintenance, paint, lock, HVAC, electrical, or related building trades.
• Experience managing preventive and predictive maintenance programs for building infrastructure and utility systems.
• Experience coordinating multi-trade maintenance, deferred maintenance, and infrastructure improvement projects.
• Experience in coordinating major maintenance projects, system shutdowns, repairs, and capital improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing operational budgets, cost tracking, and financial reporting.
• Experience collaborating with contractors, consultants, project managers, and cross-functional stakeholders in an active operational environment.
• Experience interpreting and applying building codes, OSHA requirements, safety standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience developing scopes of work, technical specifications, RFPs, and evaluating contractor/vendor performance.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and regulations governing facilities maintenance, building operations, and the skilled trades, including HVAC, controls/building automation systems, electrical, plumbing, maintenance, paint, and lock services.
• Comprehensive knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, utility distribution, and building infrastructure systems, including preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, building codes, environmental requirements, OSHA safety standards, and CSU policies related to facilities operations and maintenance.
• Knowledge of maintenance management systems (CMMS), work order management, asset management, and maintenance planning principles.
• Knowledge of project management principles, contract administration, budgeting, procurement, and resource allocation.
• Knowledge of supervisory and management principles, including employee development, performance management, labor relations, and organizational effectiveness.
• Demonstrate the ability to act independently, show discernment, use judiciousness in all matters, provide management with clear feedback, and make independent decisions as appropriate.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills to effectively manage multiple trade shops through subordinate supervisors and foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills to prioritize competing operational demands, manage complex maintenance activities, and resolve critical infrastructure issues.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to build effective relationships with campus leadership, staff, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple projects, maintenance programs, personnel, and resources simultaneously while balancing operational needs with long-term campus objectives

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified Facility Manager (CFM), APPA certification, PMP, or trade-related certifications.
• Experience in a university or large campus environment.
• Experience with utility operations and infrastructure renewal planning.
• Supervisory experience within collective bargaining and represented staff environment.
• Certified Education Facilities Professional (CEFP) certification through the Association of Physical Plant Administrators

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California. The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. For more information, go to the California State University Out-of-State Employment Policy.

Background Check

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