Chief Facilities and Operations Officer (Updated Job Description)

Chief Of Facilities And Operations Officer

Provides leadership to the Facilities Design and Construction, Maintenance and Operations, Child Nutrition Services (CNS), School Choice, Planning and Assignment and Transportation Departments. Leads and ensures execution of the Wake County Public School System's (WCPSS) multi-year capital building program. Implements comprehensive business plans and yearly operating budgets to manage each department and ensures fiscal accountability. Meets educational facility needs of each school and department through active communication with principals and administrators. Creates and monitors program metrics, administers contracts, and maintains fiscal accountability.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities (Ksas)

• Comprehensive in-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices, and procedures of public school system policies and federal, state, and local regulatory requirements;
• Considerable knowledge of design and construction terms and processes;
• Considerable knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and procedures;
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint; Google Apps;
• Skills in effective leadership of adults, including coaching, evaluation, and team building among a variety of stakeholders;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback; ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences; excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Ability to maintain professional and emotional control under stress. Reflects appropriate response to situations, while maintaining a professional and personal demeanor;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, school administrators, teachers, support staff, vendors, contractors, and other community groups.

Education, Training, And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, building construction, construction engineering, business management, architecture, or a related field; AND
• Ten years of experience in facilities management, design, construction, or related areas; AND
• Ten years of progressively more responsible work experience managing construction and facilities in a management capacity; AND
• Demonstrated successful leadership and managerial experience; AND
• Experience preparing and presenting technical and management information to diverse audiences; AND
• Experience speaking with media; OR
• An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully meet the essential duties may be considered.

Certification And License Requirements

• Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license according to the State of North Carolina requirements.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Oversees the management of assigned operational functions to ensure that planning methodologies, organizational structures, and accountability measures are in place to give stakeholders the best service possible within the resources available.
• Provides leadership in promoting child nutrition, in support of student achievement.
• Provides leadership in assuring accountability and sound stewardship of capital and operating fund investments.
• Provides leadership in promoting and providing high quality learning environments for all students, in support of student achievement.
• Provides leadership in transporting students safely to and from school facilities.
• Directs execution of the capital improvement program for construction of new schools, renovation of existing schools, and other capital projects. Directs the engineering, designing, construction and maintenance of new and existing building and facilities; supervises compliance with engineering specifications and state regulations.
• Delivers capital projects on time, on budget, and in compliance with code and quality standards. Maintains progress charts and prepares reports on major work in progress within the department or under contract.
• Oversees the planning, design, bidding and award, construction administration, completion, and accounting for all projects.
• Serves as an advocate for supplier and contractor diversity in each department; supports efforts to employ Historically Underutilized Business enterprises.
• Oversees the management of school capital programs, to ensure that planning methodologies, organizational structures, resources (including bond elections), and accountability measures are in place so that all new schools and rehabilitation projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Administers contracts for planning, design, construction, and construction management. Coordinates and supervises work performed by outside engineering, architectural and construction firms.
• Accounts for capital improvement program funds and department's operating budget. Prepares and controls annual departmental operation budgets and assists with capital needs budget.
• Implements safety programs for all the Facilities Department. Ensures adherence to good safety procedures.
• Represents WCPSS at public meetings; serves as district liaison to local government agencies; represents WCPSS before meetings of Board of Commissioners, municipal boards, and other organizations.
• Participates in development of long-range facilities plans and student assignment plans.
• Serves as a member of the Superintendent's Leadership Team to actively participate in division-wide planning, implementation, and evaluation; helps to shape and drive initiatives across the organization; engages in short-and long-term planning with the senior directors of supervised departments (child nutrition services, transportation, facility design and construction, and maintenance and operations).
• Maintains a process for continuous improvement of departmental procedures and processes.
• Supervises staff selection, placement, development, training, and performance management to meet department's and Superintendent's annual performance goals.
• Utilizes program management software programs to support capital building program with graphical, fiscal, and project data, which is posted for public information.
• Develops and maintains design and construction contracts, contract terms, change order resolutions, claims avoidance and claim resolutions.
• Keeps informed of federal and state regulations and verify that all departmental activities are in compliance; follows Federal and State laws, as well as School Board policies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This job operates in a professional office environment and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, scanners, and copiers. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff and staff members of external funding agencies, and the community. Work is considered medium physical work, requiring the exertion of up to twenty-five pounds of force. The work frequently requires activities involving driving automotive equipment. Visits to construction sites, schools, and administrative offices around Wake County require frequent driving and walking.

Effective date: 1/2026

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.