Assistant Director Facilities and Grounds at UMass Amherst

Please apply using this link: https://careers-anothersource.icims.com/jobs/101506/assistant-director%2c-grounds-at-umass-amherst/job?mode=job&iis=SOURCE&iisn=Craigslist

Another Source’s client, UMass Amherst, is recruiting an Assistant Director Facilities and Grounds to join their team in Amherst, MA.You'll have a chance to lead landscape sustainability, collaborate on construction projects, and manage a variety of initiatives that contribute to the university's success.

Internally titled Assistant Director, Grounds

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, being the Commonwealth's flagship campus, offers a unique work environment set in the picturesque Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. You'll be part of a nationally ranked public research university surrounded by the intellectual energy of the Five Colleges consortium. This position provides a chance to work in a culturally rich setting while being near major urban centers. 

What’s in it for you:   

UMass Amherst offers a comprehensive compensation and benefit package including health, dental, and vision insurance; life and long-term disability insurance; generous paid time off; tuition remission; and robust retirement options. https://www.umass.edu/hr/benefits-and-pay/benefits 

About the role:

Under the general direction of the Associate Director for Grounds Special Projects and Events, the Assistant Director for the Grounds Services primary focus is the oversight of the approximately 1,450 acres of the Amherst campus, along with satellite facilities.  This position manages, plan and leads landscape sustainability, construction, conservation, wildlife habitat initiatives, snow removal, customer service, the comprehensive Waste and Recycling Management program and works in collaboration with university and private partners.   

Essential Functions:

Manage department workforce and contractors by providing direction, planning, prioritizing, scheduling and oversee quality control of grounds department.  

Hire, train, supervise staff by providing guidance, development, performance evaluations and discipline as needed. 

Work with other university personnel in a professional, supportive, and courteous manner in carrying out department responsibilities. 

Support and facilitate student internships and participation by demonstrating capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students. 

Participate in capital planning meetings, representing grounds department needs. 

Plan and prepare the annual grounds budget request. 

Direct snow plowing and other related services such as sanding during winter storms and other weather emergencies. 

Assist in the contracting process for Grounds projects, develop scope of work, detail specifications and supervise contractor compliance.  

Be a grounds department presence on campus by walking the campus and meeting with staff on job sites. 

Enact clear and open lines of communication, maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality, and cultivate a staff culture rooted in collaboration, civility, adaptability, and professionalism. 

Support utilization of business systems and applications to ensure effective utilization of the CMMS and other advanced software to manage resources, prepare reports, presentation and other communications utilizing, GIS, In-Vision, CMMS, etc. 

Act as a proponent of sustainable planning, low maintenance and environmentally responsible outdoor spaces by use of sustainable planting, permeable pavers, reduction of salt usage, conservation of water, use of alternative fueled equipment and vehicles, increasing recycling, reducing trash, and identifying new trash diversion options. Participates in and supports all Campus Sustainability initiatives, including student-led ones.  

Help devise eradication plan for invasive species. 

Manage IPM program for reducing pesticides and herbicides.  

Lead departments forward-thinking approach to landscape design, maintenance, operations, and other landscaping techniques.   

Meet routinely with campus customers to determine their needs and to ensure follow through and quality assurance. 

Works with outside agencies such as MADEP (Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection) and MRF (Springfield Materials Recycling Facility). 

Oversight for waste removal and recycling efforts on campus. 

Implement procedures (electrically/GIS) to assure quality improvement and a clear customer service commitment. 

Address workplace concerns: work with Human Resources, Labor Relations, and bargaining unit staff to resolve personnel matters. Act, as needed, by participating in grievance investigations and second step grievance hearing officer. 

Other Functions:

Actively commits to advances in matters of diversity, including compliance, budgetary/fiscal responsibility, and use of technology. 

Understand and contribute to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful inclusive workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration. 

Understand responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery, and other compliance requirements. 

Understand responsibilities regarding conflicts of interest and behave consistent with law and university policy. 

Use access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others. 

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications  

Bachelor’s degree in facilities management or related field with five (5) years progressive, related experience or Associate’s degree in facilities management or related field with seven (7) years progressive, related experience. 

Minimum of four (4) years supervising full-time, non-student staff. 

Management experience of a large full-time staff (25 or more) within a unionized environment.  

Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, train, and develop supervisors to ensure effective management of indirect reports. 

Excellent interpersonal skills with a commitment to team success including ability to relate effectively with a highly diverse work force; ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships; ability to honor privacy/confidentiality. 

Superior communication (oral and written) and active listening skills. 

Demonstrated project management skills with emphasis on sustainability, snow removal operations, wetlands management and utility support, and effective completion and delegation of routine work and projects. 

Ability to effectively develop and deliver trainings, presentations, and reports to meeting organization goals and objectives. 

Experience in vendor management, large- and small-scale contracts, and purchasing required for landscape and construction maintenance and related operations. 

Ability to use typical office suite software and CMMS software. 

Valid Massachusetts Driver's License 

Preferred Qualifications

APPA Certified Educational Facilities Professional certification. 

MA Construction Supervisor’s License. 

Relevant work experience specific to a college/university setting. 

Working knowledge of relevant policies, codes, and best practices, including ADA compliance and federal and state wetlands and sustainability laws and guidelines. 

Active involvement in related professional association(s) 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis.  We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.