Director Of Facilities Operations

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Director of Facilities Operations to oversee all facility, grounds, and infrastructure functions across our extensive statewide portfolio within our Commissioner's Office. This role serves as the senior leader responsible for planning, directing, and managing operations for our 92-acre main campus in Rocky Hill, three state Veterans cemeteries, and multiple satellite offices located throughout Connecticut. Please note you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above to be considered for this position (see Selection Plan for additional details).

The position is vital to ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of our Veteran residents, healthcare patients, staff, and visitors. With an average facility age exceeding 70 years and significant modernization efforts underway, the Director of Facilities Operations plays a central role in preserving critical infrastructure, protecting public health and safety, and supporting the long-term resilience of the agency.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
• Work Shift: First shift, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Rocky Hill, CT

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

• Competitive Benefits - Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

• Providing executive-level leadership for all facilities and grounds operations across more than 90 acres of property, over 40 buildings, miles of utilities, and multiple off-site locations.
• Overseeing maintenance and operations for critical healthcare infrastructure, including a 125-bed licensed Skilled Nursing Facility and a 200+ bed Residential Facility.
• Ensuring full compliance with applicable fire safety, building, and healthcare codes. Failure to meet compliance standards may result in significant financial penalties, loss of licensure, loss of federal per diem reimbursement, and ineligibility for grant-funded modernization.
• Managing a diverse workforce including skilled tradespeople, building services personnel, engineers, and contracted vendors.
• Directing the execution of more than $38 million in active and planned capital projects, including facility upgrades, modernization, structural repairs, and major utilities improvements.
• Developing long-term planning strategies to preserve, rehabilitate, and modernize an aging facility portfolio critical to the health and welfare of Connecticut Veterans.
• Ensuring operational continuity and the safe delivery of essential services relied upon by vulnerable residents and mission-critical healthcare programs.

MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND FACILITIES:

For over 140 years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has been caring for its Veterans and their dependents. As a Department, we believe in "serving those who have served." This is accomplished through our: Office of Advocacy and Assistance, Residential Facility, Healthcare Center, and Cemetery and Burial Services.


The DVA has supported Connecticut Veterans and continues this tradition with Residential and Healthcare programming on our campus in Rocky Hill. There are two paths for residency at the DVA:

• Residential Facility: offers temporary, supportive living with programming designed to return Connecticut Veterans to independent living in the community;
• Sgt. John L. Levitow Healthcare Center: a state-of-the-art medical facility that offers long-term care for Veterans with chronic, disabling conditions who require 24-hour assistance.

Selection Plan

Please Note: In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.


FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:


Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.


BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io.
• Salary Calculations : For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note : The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note : This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at

• This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:


Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Joseph Fried at View email address on click.appcast.io.


Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)


In a state agency this class is accountable for directing staff in the management, operation and/or maintenance programs of state buildings and grounds or directing facilities management staff in the oversight of property portfolios including contractors and vendors performing property management services.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs staff and operations in the areas of building services and contract compliance;
• Coordinates, plans and manages section activities;
• Formulates goals and objectives;
• Develops or assists in development of related policy;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Evaluates staff;
• Assists in preparation of section budget;
• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of section who might impact on program activities;
• Prepares reports, correspondence and procedural manuals;
• Administers a quality control and compliance program;
• Prepares and reviews plans and specifications for building renovations and/or alterations;
• Selects and supervises service contractors;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May direct staff and operations of trade shops and grounds sections;
• May develop and maintain a preventive maintenance program;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • relevant agency policies and procedures;
  • state of the art security systems, building operations and maintenance procedures and techniques;
  • trades including building, custodial and grounds;
  • energy conservation methods and techniques;
  • budget preparation and control;
• Knowledge of
  • contract preparation and administration;
  • tenant agency requirements;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Skill in prevention of deterioration, obsolescence and destruction of buildings and operating equipment;
• Considerable ability to prepare plans, specifications and cost estimates for equipment, services and repairs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in the repair and maintenance of large buildings, leasing, acquisition or management of property or building contract administration.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE


Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.
NOTE: For state employees supervisory capacity is interpreted at the level of a Maintenance Supervisor 2.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in architecture, business or construction management, engineering or public administration may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• For state employees two (2) years of experience as a Property Management Liaison may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience managing the operation and maintenance of a large facility consisting of multiple sites and buildings
• Experience planning, programming, and budgeting large facility modernization and new construction projects funded through various funding streams including state bond funds and federal grants
• Experience directing and managing the execution of renovation or new construction projects
• Experience reviewing contractor submitted project plans for accuracy, regulatory compliance, and budgetary feasibility
• Experience developing and implementing facility preventative maintenance and recapitalization plans and programs, including removal or demolition of obsolete facilities and structures

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS


Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.


Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.