Utilities Operations Manager Facilities Services

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We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

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Departmental Overview

Facilities Services works to continuously improve the campus in partnership with all members of the University community to ensure that classrooms, laboratories, and offices support teaching, learning and research. With over 500 dedicated staff members serving over 10M building square feet and 1100 acres, Facilities Services includes the asset management program, custodial services, maintenance operations, engineering and technical services, environmental services, grounds operations, the Cal Zero Waste program.

Custom Scope

The Utilities Operations Manager is a cornerstone of our campus leadership, responsible for the maintenance and operational integrity of a sophisticated, large-scale utility network. This role is pivotal in managing campus utility infrastructure while ensuring 100% compliance with evolving regulatory standards. The manager oversees a diverse and critical portfolio, including high-voltage electrical, high-pressure steam, water/sewer systems, gas lines, and essential civil infrastructure such as streets, hillside trails, and retaining walls.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

The successful candidate will be a proactive problem-solver capable of mitigating scheduling conflicts, improving customer relations across campus regions, and navigating the technical challenges of a high-stakes, 24/7 utility environment. Participate in a rotational Manager on Call schedule that covers after-hours and weekends.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: May 1, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership: Manage the daily operations, budget, and purchasing for the Utilities Operation department. Responsibilities include controlling operating expenses, justifying funding for critical replacements, and optimizing the balance between in-house labor and outsourced services.

Regulatory & Compliance Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for external agencies, including EBMUD, PG&E, the City of Berkeley, and the Fire Marshal. Ensure all systems meet strict mandates through rigorous inspections, testing, and the development of detailed compliance documentation.

Team & Resource Oversight: Manage a multidisciplinary team of 22 full-time employees across five distinct trades, including High Voltage Electricians, Steamfitters, Masons, Plumbers, and Heavy Equipment Operators. Supervisory responsibilities encompass the full scope of resource management, performance management initiatives, and ensuring accurate timekeeping.

Project & Emergency Management: Direct emergency repairs and large-scale preventive maintenance projects. Evaluate the qualifications of contractors and subcontractors, ensuring high-quality workmanship and institutional value.

Strategic Planning: Investigate and implement new materials, equipment, and technologies to modernize campus facilities. Collaborate with Senior Management to execute strategic maintenance partnerships and provide annual reports on the health of critical infrastructure.

Primary Responsibilities:

SAFETY

• Develop and enhance a safety culture and fully support the behavior-based safety program.

• Ensure that each employee understands safe behaviors and at-risk behaviors involved in their job.

• Ensure employees consciously avoid at-risk behaviors themselves and feel secure in cautioning others in the shop if they see someone performing an at-risk behavior.

• Ensure that all inspections, training, accident investigations, and responses to employee safety concerns fully comply with the FS Injury & Illness Prevention Program.

• Ensure completion of work orders arising from inspections, investigations, or safety concerns.

• Conduct periodic inspections of tools, equipment, and Personal Protective Equipment to ensure they are in safe and operable condition.

• Conduct periodic vehicle inspections to ensure safe operating condition and proper housekeeping.

• Ensure University logos are legible.

• Ensure vehicles are clean and body work is not allowed to deteriorate.

MANAGE OF SHOP PRIORITIES

• Ensure that all Preventive Maintenance for utilities is completed in accordance with the approved PM program for the fiscal year.

• Ensure that productivity or the shop meets goals established by the Associate Director of the Trade Shops.

• Collaborate with Regional Managers to schedule available resources on a daily basis.

• Maintain at minimum a day-ahead firm schedule, with further advance planning as tools allow.

• Collaborate closely with other Regional Managers and customers to provide excellent service during off hours and for fleet.

• Schedule PM Program requirements.

• Schedule as much priority and routine work as possible for balance of available resources.

• Provide prompt notification to Regional Managers and customers of any schedule slippage.

• Ensure customers are notified of delays.

• Schedule work priorities outside of emergency work in collaboration with customer input.

• Complete most work on a first-in, first-out basis.

• Use judgment to make exceptions when productivity or other benefits are improved.

• Ensure long-term equitable response time and work cycle time for all campus customers.

• Ensure accurate time-to-job information is entered into the CMMS by noon the next business day.

• Include night or weekend emergency callbacks in reporting.

• Ensure Craft Lead Workers review at least one randomly selected job per worker each quarter.

• Assess quality, completeness, materials used, and time charged.

• Document reviewed jobs and findings.

• Use findings to provide training and improve performance.

MANAGE BUDGET

• Prepare an annual budget in collaboration with the Real Estate Accounting Department.

• Base the budget on authorized staffing and approved recharge rates.

• Exercise financial controls to ensure recharge revenue equals expenses.

• Work with the Storehouse to prepare predefined equipment and supply packets for scheduled jobs.

• Maintain accountability for all materials held in shop stock, except consumables.

• Track materials on shop vehicles and storage areas until expensed to a work order.

• Coordinate with the Storehouse to perform periodic physical inventories.

• Reconcile actual stock with records.

• Review insurance items for critical systems to ensure availability and serviceability.

• Review shop stock levels annually to maintain minimum required levels.

• Maintain accountability records for shop tools and equipment.

MANAGEMENT OF PERSONNEL

• Maintain open communication with all employees.

• Build camaraderie and teamwork.

• Hire, train, schedule, evaluate performance, commend, and discipline personnel.

• Schedule personnel vacation and training.

• Develop emergency response on-call schedules.

• Provide computer workstations for employee access to email, CMMS, and research tools.

• Work with each employee annually to develop or update their Learning and Development Plan.

• Include short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.

• Plan and schedule employees to complete short-term learning goals.

• Report quarterly to the Associate Director on progress toward learning plan goals.

MISCELLANEOUS RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform as a member of the FS Management Team.

• Collaborate with Asset Management Regional Managers as directed.

• Remain on call 24 hours a day for emergency response.

• Participate in an on-call rotation.

• Respond to campus emergencies in accordance with established plans.

• Participate in refining emergency response plans.

• Respond physically to major emergencies.

• Carry a pager or cellular phone as needed.

• Use SPAN, CMMS, CALTIME, Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, and other departmental systems as needed to perform job duties.

• Ensure all regulatory and safety-related work orders are completed before deadlines.

• Attend safety and general meetings.

• Perform all tasks in compliance with FS and UC policies and procedures.

• Follow Code of Conduct, IIPP, Hazardous Materials Communication Program, and Health and Safety Manual.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of facilities maintenance and administration.

• Substantial experience in using computer maintenance management systems and/or project scheduling or similar complex software to plan, estimate and schedule large numbers of work tasks.

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of applicable laws, rules, regulations, and internal policies.

• Thorough technical skills in the trades.

• Advanced management skills to include organization, interpersonal and written and oral communication, long-and short-term planning.

• Ability to ensure high-level delivery of physical plant services to the Campus.

• Ability to design and implement delivery systems to ensure quick, accurate and appropriate response to both routine maintenance issues as well as emergency response to more urgent situations.

• Ability to promote and maintain a safe working environment through subordinate managers/supervisors.

• Ability to motivate and inspire subordinate staff to provide the highest level of service to campus constituents.

Education/Training

• Minimum of two years of undergraduate study in Engineering or a related field.

• Ten years' experience as a journeyman in the Trades

• Three years' experience as a foreman, lead, or supervisor of trades or as a licensed contractor operating a business to perform construction, repair, and preventive maintenance of commercial buildings, or alternatively an equivalent of education

Required

Preferred

Job Industries

• Other