Assistant Zone Manager

Department

Facilities North Campus Engineering Shop

About the Department

Facilities Services supports the mission of the University of Chicago through efforts to maintain and enhance the University campus and environment and provide superior client service to our community including faculty, students, staff, neighbors and visitors.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Zone Manager (ZM), the Assistant Zone Manager (AZM) assists in the direction and coordination of the activities and functions of the assigned zone’s maintenance and trades staff within the noted zones in the supervision of the day to day operations including but not limited to heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing and piping, fire protection, and general building maintenance, trouble shooting, building automation systems and building maintenance systems. Scheduling and planning work, assuring quality of work, managing operational budgets, using appropriate information technology and business applications, along with effectively communicating with customers as well as Facilities Services' staff.

Work directly with the ZM, Shop Foremen, vendors, contractors, and other Facilities Services’ staff to plan and prioritize work schedules. Review completed work orders for accuracy of labor hours, material's cost, and track recurring equipment failures. Ensure materials availability and accuracy on work orders. Create optimum utilization of employees, equipment and material ensuring a reliable safe working environment; effectively communicating with clients as well as Facilities Services' staff.
In the absence of the ZM, the AZM will serve as the client’s main point of contact for strategic and daily facilities maintenance and operations, as well as, is responsible for ensuring that the Operations unit is meeting or exceeding client expectations. The position will assist in being accountable for minimizing impact on University faculty, students and staff by establishing productivity, service delivery and quality standards and creating a culture of pride, stewardship and surpassing expectations.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the supervision of work team providing maintenance and operations services to the assigned buildings ensuring timely delivery of facilities services requested by clients.

• Serve as shop-level expert in specific technical field. Assist in the direct supervision, maintenance and operation of HVAC and other building systems for research laboratories, office space, and classroom space in multiple buildings of various ages and complexities.

• Manage multi-shift unionized staff and outside contractors. Assist in the prioritization and scheduling work assignments (daily management and long-range planning), inspect work for quality and completion, and coordinate emergency and urgent work. Review and approve time paid and requested time off for direct reports. Assist in conducting performance appraisals, and initiation of corrective actions as required.

• Partnering with other University staff, conduct regular inspection tours of buildings, equipment and surrounding grounds for deficiencies, potential safety, health, or code problems and necessary repairs. Prepare written reports summarizing findings, and advises other building users as appropriate, of findings, and recommendations for dealing with problems noticed in inspections.

• Coordinating and cooperating with other Shops, Facilities Managers, or Project Management on multi-shop work or reviewing major renovation projects. Work with architects, contractors, and building users, when building renovations or major systems repairs occur to ensure that this work is done in accordance with University standards and in a safe and efficient manner.

• Effectively develop, use and support standard operating procedures and support a preventive maintenance program. Use computerized maintenance management system and supporting business applications. Assist in the monitoring of the shops' operating budgets, alterations & repair budgets, and capital budget when applicable.

• Assist in the maintenance and tracking of operational key performance indicators, ensuring accurate metric reporting, and developing action plans for remediation or problem solving. Participate in the coordination and execution of strategic operational goals and objectives.

• In coordination with the ZM and AVP of Operations, assist in hiring and provide performance reviews and associated training plans based on annual skills assessment for staff.

• Support the development of long and short range plans for maintenance and expansion to support strategic mission of Facilities Services.

• Monitor and enforce uniform, attendance, and employee conduct policies in a consistent manner. Evaluate