Associate Director of Facilities Maintenance and Operations

Join a vibrant and purpose-driven community at Shippensburg University, located in the scenic Cumberland Valley and spread across a beautiful 210-acre campus with over 40 buildings. We offer a dynamic academic environment with 45 undergraduates, 22 graduate, and 2 doctoral programs. At Shippensburg, our mission is more than words—we are committed to inclusive collaboration, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and celebrating the achievements that drive positive change in our communities. Be part of a team that values innovation, impact, and shared success

Shippensburg University offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees!

• Effective first day of employment: low-cost medical insurance plus free dental, vision, hearing, and prescription coverage.
• Choose from two generous retirement plans:
• Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP): 5% employee contribution, 9.29% employer contribution, Immediate vesting.
• State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS): 8.25% employee contribution, 2.25% employer contribution + pension calculation, 10-year vesting requirement.
• 100% tuition waivers for you and your eligible dependents upon completion of probationary period!
• Generous paid time off, employer-paid life insurance, and so much more!

See full details in link below (for PASSHE Benefits)

Full Benefits Summary (PDF)Shippensburg University is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as Associate Director of Facilities Maintenance & Operations. This role is central to ensuring the reliability, safety, and performance of the university’s 2.4 million square feet of facilities, supporting a vibrant campus community of students, faculty, and staff.

Reporting to the Director of Facilities Management & Planning, the Associate Director provides senior-level leadership, planning, and coordination for all maintenance and operations functions. This includes oversight of multiple skilled trades, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, refrigeration, automotive, and general maintenance.

This is a highly visible leadership role with significant autonomy in decision-making related to budgeting, staffing, maintenance strategy, and operational priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise building maintenance foremen and skilled trades teams.
• Oversee all maintenance and operations activities across approximately 45 campus buildings.
• Co-manage the university’s work order system, ensuring timely and high-quality service delivery.
• Establish priorities, allocate resources, and drive operational efficiency.
• Provide oversight and expertise for all major building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, chilled water, steam/boiler systems, and wastewater.
• Represent the university on mechanical systems issues and infrastructure planning initiatives.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve a comprehensive preventive maintenance program.
• Collaborate on system replacements, upgrades, and long-term capital improvements.
• Coordinate maintenance activities with campus stakeholders, including after-hours response as needed.
• Ensure all work meets university standards and complies with federal, state, PASSHE, and local regulations.
• Oversee regulatory requirements and certifications, including air quality permits, wastewater licensure, elevator certification, pressure vessel compliance, and natural gas systems.
• Serve as campus energy manager by tracking utility usage and identifying opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.
• Monitor work order backlogs and align resources with campus needs.
• Oversee fleet assignments, building automation system alarms, and key control programs.
• Serve in the manager on-call rotation and respond to campus emergencies.

A full job description will be provided at the time of the scheduled interview.

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in Engineering, Facilities Management, Construction Management, or a related field, and a minimum of five to eight years of progressively responsible supervisory experience in a unionized environment, including a working knowledge of CBA’s, grievance procedures, and labor relations practice.

The successful candidate has creative problem-solving abilities, communicates effectively orally and in writing with individuals at all levels of the university, has strong computer skills including MS Office, budgeting and procurement, a familiarity in energy management including building information systems and knowledge of work order management systems. Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple work assignments, troubleshoot, and conduct root-cause analysis is also required.

Additional qualifications include specialized training in HVAC, electrical, or similar certifications including CFM, CEFP, CMM and PE certificates/licenses, construction project management experience, and hands-on experience in one or more of the skilled trades.