Assistant Zone Manager, South

Department
 

Facilities South 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.
Works directly with the ZM, Shop Foremen, vendors, contractors, and other Facilities Services’ staff to plan and prioritize work schedules. Reviews completed work orders for accuracy of labor hours, material's cost, and track recurring equipment failures. Ensure materials availability and accuracy on work orders. Creates 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

• Assists in the supervision of work team providing maintenance and operations services to the assigned buildings ensuring timely delivery of facilities services requested by clients.
• Serves as shop-level expert in specific technical field. Assists 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.
• Manages multi-shift unionized staff and outside contractors. Assists in the prioritization and scheduling work assignments (daily management and long-range planning), inspects work for quality and completion, and coordinates emergency and urgent work. Reviews and approves time paid and requested time off for direct reports. Assists in conducting performance appraisals, and initiation of corrective actions as required.
• Partnering with other University staff, conducts regular inspection tours of buildings, equipment and surrounding grounds for deficiencies, potential safety, health, or code problems and necessary repairs. Prepares 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. Works 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 develops, uses and supports standard operating procedures and support a preventive maintenance program. Uses computerized maintenance management system and supporting business applications. Assists in the monitoring of the shops' operating budgets, alterations & repair budgets, and capital budget when applicable.
• Assists in the maintenance and tracking of operational key performance indicators, ensuring accurate metric reporting, and developing action plans for remediation or problem solving. Participates 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.
• Supports the development of long and short range plans for maintenance and expansion to support strategic mission of Facilities Services.
• Monitors and enforces uniform, attendance, and employee conduct policies in a consistent manner. Evaluates staff for work completion, productivity and client service.
• Understands and manages staff per appropriate union contracts and administer awards and recognition program based on established KPIs.
• Manages staff time in appropriate UChicago system to ensure all hours worked are accurately reported in CMMS.
• Responds to emergency calls at any hour of the day and may work long or irregular periods when needed.  
• Proactively identifies substandard conditions and services and recommends corrective actions.
• Interprets needs and gaps in service to collaborate with and recommend appropriate services to colleagues and vendors.
• Supervises movement of equipment and materials, maintains building security, and maintains information on building blue prints, space utilization data and equipment.
• Coordinates with staff from other units and supervises the work of contractors as well as facilities union and/or non-union staff.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Experience with a unionized work environment.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must have a valid IL driver's license and successfully complete the University's Motor Vehicle Records background check process.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated strategic leadership skills.
• Budget management skills.
• Decision making skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Client service skills.
• Demonstrated computer literacy in Windows environments including MS Word, Excel and Outlook. 
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train and evaluate the work of others.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of relevant building systems and maintenance techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as design drawings, safety guidelines, operating and maintenance instructions and procedural manuals.
• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment, set priorities and analyze complex factors to innovatively solve problems, think strategically, plan, negotiate and persuade. 
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and collectively as part of a team.
• Knowledge of CMMS, preferably IBM Maximo.

Preferred Competencies

• Business Acumen.
• Manage Performance.
• Performance and Execution.
• Partnership and Collaboration.

Working Conditions

• Must demonstrate mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity and be physically capable of strenuous activity over extended periods of time. 
• Must be able to lift and move loads appropriate to job requirements and be able to bend and work in a kneeling position for periods of time. 
• Must be able to climb stairs and ladders, be capable of working at heights as required, be able to enter and work within tight spaces, and be able to withstand hot and cold temperatures. 
• Must be able to respond to emergency calls at any hour of the day and must be willing to work long or irregular hours when needed.

Application Documents

• Cover Letter (required)
• Resume (required)
• References (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Facilities Management

Role Impact
 

People Manager

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

Yes

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.