Assistant Chief Engineer, USC Hotel

USC Auxiliary Services, one of the largest divisions at The University of Southern California, is focused on making a difference for over 65,000 students, athletes, faculty, staff, and guests who visit our campuses each day.  Through our innovative services, our six central business units (USC Bookstores, USC Hospitality, USC Housing, USC Transportation, the USC Hotel and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum) collectively create the best USC experience for future leaders, scientists, filmmakers, engineers, and doctors alike. Auxiliary Services works tirelessly to welcome all visitors into the Trojan family. We are driven to succeed by our commitment to uphold our unifying values.

The city of Los Angeles boasts endless attractions and tourist destinations. Amongst all of the sights and sounds, the USC Hotel offers a modern and convenient place to unwind, with 240 spacious, comfortable guest rooms and over 15,000 square feet of flexible event space. Owned and operated by the University of Southern California, and the site of a recent multi-million dollar renovation, the hotel features luxurious fabrics and artwork depicting the storied traditions of USC. Additional renovations, which include the restaurants and kitchens, are in the planning stage.

We are seeking an Assistant Chief Engineer, USC Hotel to join our rapidly growing team.

Position Overview:

The Assistant Chief Engineer supports the Chief Engineer in the daily operation and maintenance of the hotel’s physical infrastructure. This role ensures that all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems are functioning efficiently, safely, and in compliance with applicable codes and standards. The Assistant Chief Engineer will lead and supervise the engineering team, perform routine inspections, and assist with preventive maintenance programs. This position plays a key role in maintaining a comfortable, safe, and well-functioning environment for guests and staff.

The Accountabilities:

• Assist in overseeing the daily operations of the engineering department, coordinating the repair and maintenance of all mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems. Ensure prompt response to all service requests, including urgent or emergency situations.

• Support the supervision, scheduling, and ongoing training of the engineering team, ensuring all staff follow hotel policies, safety regulations, and operational procedures. Participate in hiring and recruiting efforts, as well as performance management and team development.

• Participate in the Manager on Duty (MOD) program, including responding to urgent guest or operational issues, and being available to come on-site during emergencies such as power outages, major plumbing leaks, or equipment failures to support operational continuity.

• Utilize the hotel’s preventive maintenance system to schedule, execute, and track routine maintenance tasks, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of all hotel equipment and infrastructure. Maintain detailed and accurate logs of all completed work.

• Create and manage purchase orders (POs), track expenses, and ensure appropriate use of department funds. Maintain inventory of tools, parts, and materials, ensuring stock levels are appropriate and items are stored and used in compliance with safety standards.

• Ensure the engineering department remains compliant with all local, state, and federal safety codes and building regulations. Conduct routine safety inspections and assist in the development and execution of emergency preparedness plans.

• Collaborate closely with other departments to resolve guest issues promptly and maintain a high standard of service. Provide technical support for capital improvement projects and liaise with vendors and contractors under the direction of the Chief Engineer.

• Supervises unit employees and/or student workers in the absence of Facilities Manager. Schedules, assigns and prioritizes workloads. Sets appropriate deadlines and ensures timely completion of unit's work.

• Assists with coordination of facilities operations, maintenance, construction, and renovation projects with university departments and/or outside contractors and vendors. Compiles data for cost allocation and creates status/project reports, as requested by senior management.

• Monitors and analyzes facilities expenses. Assists with developing facilities cost projections, as required.

• Collaborates with Facilities Manager to prepare long and short range plans for the use of facilities. Maintains analysis of space and equipment requirements and allocates usage based on departmental priorities.

• Conduct