Chief Engineer L399

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Director of Facilities Operations, the Chief Engineer is responsible for all operational aspects of the Physical Plant. This position will identify and assign work orders, coordinate, and inspect on-site projects, and manage the budget for the Physical Plant. The Chief Engineer manages the Assistant Chief Engineer and Local 399 Union Engineers, has daily contact with suppliers, vendors, contractors, and periodic contact with inspectors.

They collaborate on a regular basis with the Director of Facilities Operations, Support Services Manager, and Maintenance Lead to provide a safe and reliable campus environment and ensure the Columbia College Chicago’s community needs are addressed. The Chief Engineer will be solution oriented, have strong judgment and decision‑making skills, and the ability to adapt existing procedures to new situations.

This position is designated as “Essential Personnel” and requires incumbent to have 24/7 availability for on-call building emergencies and interact with the campus during emergency situations as a first responder.

• Manage, repair, and maintain life safety equipment (sprinkler systems, fire pumps, emergency generators, fire extinguishers, evacuation maps, fire alarms, etc.), all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and campus infrastructure including the interior and exterior of the Physical Plant

• Plan and develop deferred maintenance projects with the Director of Facilities Operations, managing the implementation and field coordination as needed

• Coordinate City of Chicago repairs and disruptions on campus

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate a team of Local 399 Union Engineers, providing coverage of shifts when needed: address employee relation items in partnership with the Director of Facilities Operations

• Assign and track completion of work orders in 360
  
  Facility Management System, enforcing policies and procedures, and identifying gaps in implementation; meet with engineering team to review issues, questions, progress, and any upcoming activities related to facilities management

• Use the College’s Event Management System (EMS) to avoid interference with classes/events while assigning duties, coordinating with department representatives as needed

• Review and resolve all faculty, staff, and student facility related requests, communicating with appropriate college departments to provide work order updates

• Contract and supervise outside consulting, maintenance, and repair services for on-site projects; inspect and review all work performed by contractors to ensure quality

• Manage all engineering operations budgets and cost, estimating and ordering materials, equipment, and services for the Physical Plant Manager the programming and operation of Building Automation Systems (BAS) and equipment

• Oversee and update an effective Preventative Maintenance (PM) program in compliance with 360
  
  Facility’s PM and Inspection modules

• Track and report all energy efficient operations

• Maintain organization in inventory, shop, and storage areas.

• Inspect buildings to ensure general facility safety, communicating incident occurrences and emergencies to the Director of Facilities and Operations

• Serve as first-responder in the event of emergency on campus, including the Physical Plant, by following college protocol and assisting with building evacuations.

• Perform other job-related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned.

• High School Diploma or equivalent required. Some college preferred

• 5 or more years of experience as a Licensed Stationery Engineer, preferably in an education setting

• Local 399 Union Engineer member in good standing

• City of Chicago Fire Director's Certificate, City of Chicago Stationary Engineer's License and Certified Universal Refrigeration Handling (under The CM of 1999) required upon hire

• Must have valid driver’s license and be comfortable driving through the City of Chicago

• Experience supervising engineers and contractors of all engineering trades, with the ability to assign work, train staff, and conduct performance reviews Experience in commercial buildings operations with the ability to…