Facilities Manager

Full-Time Job Opening: Facilities Manager

Full Time job opportunity at the University of Southern California Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability

Position: Full-Time benefited Facilities Manager

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university a great place to work.  

As a community of Dornsife College “we are committed to the creation, preservation, and communication of fundamental knowledge in all its forms…as well as a lifelong passion for learning and a commitment to the betterment of society.”  The academic mission of Dornsife College can only be realized to its fullest potential when we build and protect a representative, equitable, inclusive culture of scholarship for students, faculty, and staff.  This is not done through initiatives but by embedding these values into the everyday interactions, relationships, policies, and practices of the College.  What is required is a seamless integration of the tenets of equity and inclusivity into every facet of academic life.  If we want our scholars, staff, and students to be able to give their very best, we must create an academic environment that portends success.  

Success is possible when every member of the Dornsife community owns their role as a steward of the culture in which we learn, research, and work; when we believe that it is because of who we are that we are able to do what we do: achieve excellence, together. 

Achieving a robust and inclusive academic culture requires more than just the completion of a task, but includes that person’s capacity to contribute positively to the relationships and culture of their office or department.  Therefore, any applicant seeking to advance the mission of Dornsife College should also be assessed on their capacities beyond the technical elements of their work, and demonstrate an understanding of their impact on others, and to articulate how they contribute positively to those around them.

The Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability (WIES) at the University of Southern California (USC) seeks a highly motivated and organized individual to serve as Facilities Manager for the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) on Santa Catalina Island. Most of the duties of this position are located on the island, but living on the island or mainland is possible.  This position reports to the Associate Director of Operations at WMSC.

The successful candidate will provide leadership for and oversee all WMSC facilities and ensure standards for a safe and efficient operation are maintained. The Facilities Manager is expected to lead a team of individuals to fulfill Work Order requests and regularly inspect equipment and buildings with a detailed eye for the safety and overall aesthetic of the Center. The Facilities Manager directs team members who are expected to contribute to the University and Institute’s mission of supporting and facilitating current and future research, education, and skills training across multiple fields.

The Facilities Manager is expected to foster close relations with the central USC Facilities Planning and Management (USC FPM) department, other key department personnel, project managers, and outside contractors to ensure facilities are being properly maintained and renovated while keeping an eye on key project management criteria like time to completion and budget remaining, notifying their supervisor of any challenges or associated risks. The position will require effective management and planning skills in preventative, deferred, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance to be successful.

Major Responsibilities:
The Facilities Manager is responsible for the development, management, operation, and safety compliance of all site infrastructure (including wastewater treatment facility and seawater systems), equipment, and thirteen (13) USC buildings at the WMSC and surrounding area, including the laboratory building, cafeteria, dive locker, hyperbaric chamber building, administration building, and student and staff housing (dormitories, apartments, and multiple bedroom units). This position is also responsible for the maintenance of 22 staff housing units located in the nearby town of Two Harbors.

• Supervise unit employees and assign and prioritize Work Orders and workloads; set appropriate deadlines and monitor performance regularly.

• Coordinates with university departments and outside contractors and vendors for facilities operations and maintenance and construction and renovation projects.

• Develops and administers the annual operating budget for facilities managed. Reviews, authorizes, and monitors expenses for utilities, materials and supplies, repairs, maintenance, and project work.

• Prepares long and short range plans for the use of facilities. Develops a prioritized project list so fiscal year capital funds can be utilized to upgrade and maintain the facility through self-managed projects.

• Develops and implements deferred maintenance and preventative maintenance programs.

• Manages environmental health and safety programs. Conducts safety inspections, determining whether conditions are safe and any remedial actions required to allow work to continue. Provides health and safety equipment. Maintains records for compliance with government and university regulations.

• Conducts periodic security surveys. Coordinates and resolves security concerns. Controls procedures for facility access to include establishment of guidelines for issue of keys and maintenance of related records.

• Inspects equipment and coordinates required repairs and/or purchases.

• Oversees wastewater and seawater system management, including operation of a packaged treatment plant. Coordinates with staff, consultants, vendors, and government agencies to ensure operations meet or exceed permit parameters.

• Coordinates and monitors construction and renovation projects. Provides cost and status reports as requested.

• Coordinated with USC’s Information Technology Services (ITS) team to manage telecommunications system for assigned facility to include coordination with vendor on installation, maintenance and upgrade of systems. Provides for training of staff as needed.

• Coordinates energy and utility management programs to achieve reduction of associated costs. Manages waste streams for the facility, including coordination of barge and logistics for transport off the island.

• Monitors and responds to security, smoke and fire alarms (both during and after regular work hours) and notifies relevant agencies (LACo Fire, LACo Sheriff, USC Dept. of Public Safety) of status and, where appropriate, resolution of the alarm.

Additionally, the Facilities Manager will work with hospitality, laboratory, and marine operations to ensure the WMSC is running smoothly and efficiently and that staff are being cross-trained and developed to provide maximum support wherever they are needed.

The Facilities Manager is expected to provide a user experience of outstanding quality that includes a friendly, service-oriented approach; the ability to work in a team setting with students, staff, visitors and administrators; a work ethic that fosters timely responses to inquiries; and effective and innovative problem-solving skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum Education: Related undergraduate study or combined experience/education as substitute

• Minimum Experience and Field of Expertise: Coursework and/or experience in business administration along with at least 2 years work experience in facilities coordination or management

• Technical or trade skills in general construction, heavy machine operations, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and/or other related skillset(s)

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

• Ability to effectively manage and develop employees, and work within a team atmosphere

• Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, customer service, and communication skills

• Ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community including faculty, students, and staff

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field

• Preferred Experience and Field of Expertise: At least 4 years work experience in facilities coordination or management

• Other Skills to include: Analysis, Assessment/Evaluation, Budget Control and Development, Conceptualization and Design, Interpretation of Policies/Analyses/Trends/etc., Negotiation, Problem Identification and Resolution

• Project Scheduling, Planning, and Management experience

Hours: M-F, 7.5-hour days.  Some weekend and after-hours work required.  

Salary range: The annual base salary range for this position is $103,000 – $110.000.When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Position is eligible for USC benefits and is open until filled.

Minimum Education: Related undergraduate study, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 2 years
Minimum Field of Expertise: Coursework and/or experience in business administration along with work experience in facilities management