Chief Engineer (Union) - Live In

Chief Engineer

The Chief Engineer is a union represented maintenance position that assists the Chief Engineer and/or the property manager with his/her responsibility in the maintenance, cleaning, servicing, heating, and operations of the premises. The Chief Engineer helps oversee the maintenance staff in a fair and consistent manner and will build and maintain professional relationships with coworkers as well as professional rapport with residents and contract laborers working on the property. The Chief Engineer is also expected to lead by example the workplace to further develop the individuals he/she is directing. May be required to live on site and will be required to be on a 24 hour on call schedule, in conformance with the collective bargaining agreement.

Essential Job Functions

• Is able to assist the Head Janitor with all his job functions
• Prioritizes work orders.
• Establishes daily/weekly work schedules for maintenance staff.
• Follows up on work assignments for efficient, thorough completion and resident satisfaction.
• Maintains proper records relevant to work completed and regularly updates administrative staff of work order status.
• Maintains record of types, and frequency of, service requests received.
• Makes recommendations for contract services and supervises contract maintenance workers.
• Maintain inventory of equipment, tools, and supplies monthly or as required.
• Recommends purchases of supplies, equipment, and services; obtains management approval before purchase.
• Trains new maintenance staff members and provides janitorial/maintenance assistance as needed.
• Maintains good security practices.
• Responsible for key control system for the entire property.
• Informs management of resident needs when appropriate.
• Repairs forced air furnaces and minor repairs to steam and hot water systems.
• Establishes preventive maintenance schedule work on all equipment.
• Maintains updated preventive maintenance information (e.g., location all equipment, of extra parts for appliances, equipment serial numbers, and service telephone numbers).
• Prepares and stays current on condition and turnover status of vacant apartments.
• Keeps workshops or utility room clean, orderly, and safe.
• Provides role model for maintenance staff by following all company procedures and providing excellent customer service.
• Identifies present and future needs of property.
• Ensures staff follows work safety procedures.
• Attends punch list inspections for all new units; handles construction related items.
• Obtains thorough knowledge of power, water, and gas turnoffs, clean-out traps, fire extinguishers and fire hydrants.
• Assists in all aspects of the property's maintenance, including grounds, custodial, preventive, corrective, deferred and emergency maintenance.
• Maintains exterior and public lighting.
• Clears gutters and downspouts.
• Repairs minor structural wear and damage to buildings.
• Cares for lawn, plants, shrubs, and flowers.
• Cleans sidewalks, alleyways, hallways, and public areas.
• Paints when required.
• Services appliances, equipment, plumbing, electrical system, etc.
• Picks up trash on property and cleans garbage area and dumpsters.
• Watches out for the unusual and reports it to management.
• Performs limited exterminating services when required.
• Attends staff and resident meetings as required.
• Assists with miscellaneous social program activities (e.g., set-up, pick-ups, clean-ups, etc.).
• Assists at other properties as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Position is responsible for overseeing/assigning work of janitorial and maintenance staff and overseeing contractors on projects.
• Provides input towards new employee hiring, training, and reviews.

Working Environment

The Chief Engineer perform their work in a residential apartment setting and will be working outdoors, indoors, office, and field/grounds while performing the essential functions of this job. Must be willing and able to work in cold, hot, wet, humid, smelly, dirty, and clean work environments to include garden, alley, parking lots, basement, roof, and office areas.

Position experiences interruptions and shifting priorities. May be required to deal with difficult people; expected to handle residents and visitors with calmness, diplomacy, and good social skills.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: required to stand; walk; use hands and reach with hands and arms; ability to lift, bend, squat, climb, and crawl repeatedly throughout the day and effectively communicate; The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds on a regular basis. The employees will be using a variety of hand and power tools, chemicals, and paints. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance are required job functions. This position also requires evening and weekend work as dictated by the on-call rotation schedule.

Travel required assigned sites and to purchase emergency supplies when needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent.
• 3-5 years maintenance experience in apartment buildings.
• 2 years' team lead experience required.
• Certificate of Training Program completion preferred. Must maintain union certifications as required by the position and the bargaining agreement.
• Must have or be able to obtain UPCS Inspections Certification with 6 months of hire.
• Basic computer skills including MS office software (Outlook, Excel & Word) preferred.
• Highly organized, able to multitask, and self-motivated.
• Able to work with lawn machinery and power tools.
• Working knowledge of electricity, plumbing, carpentry, painting, and refurbishing.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to inspire, motivate and lead staff.
• Possess and maintain good safety habits.
• Willing to perform any task that is required (i.e., janitorial, gardening, etc.).
• Familiar with HVAC system and various appliances.
• Personable and trustworthy.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• May be required to live on site.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Confident, positive attitude.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish may be required depending on resident demographic of portfolio.
• Provide own hand tools
• Vehicle, insurance, and safe driving record.
• Must be willing to travel to various locations if needed.

Union Representation

This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the company and the SEIU Local 1 union.

Success Factors

• Oversees staff in a fair and consistent manner (i.e., does not play favorites).
• Communicates in a professional and friendly manner when interacting with staff, tenants, and others to build and maintain positive relationships.
• Keeps up to date on safety practices and implements them in the workplace.
• Prioritizes and delegates work efficiently to maximize business impact.
• Maintains organization in the workplace so that all requests are completed.
• Makes rational decisions based on fact and company expectations.
• Double-checks all reports to ensure accuracy.
• Sensitivity to diverse cultures.
• Attends eight (8) hours of continuing education annually.
• Can defuse a complicated issue between employees/residents.