Supervisor, Infrastructure Maintenance and Construction - Princeton University

Reporting to the Manager, Infrastructure Maintenance and Construction and under the leadership of the Director of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Supervisor, Infrastructure Maintenance and Construction leads, manages, plans, organizes, and administers a work unit which supports the university’s civil infrastructure consisting of over 200 miles of underground utilities and four million square feet of roadways, walkways and plazas. Responsibilities include providing direct leadership and supervision to an in-house team comprised of hourly casual union labor from three local labor unions (Local 9, Local 172 and Local 825) that expands, and contracts as needed, typically ranging from 30 employees in the off season to more than 60 employees during peak activities.  The work consists of both routine and emergency repairs, preventive maintenance, end of life replacement and new construction. 

The Supervisor fosters a culture that incorporates the core values of Facilities (teamwork, innovation, integrity, inclusiveness, respect, and sustainability) and places high value on customer service, workplace safety, and the use of technology to support the department and campus mission.  The Supervisor also maintains strong communication and relationships with campus peers and partners, tailoring the operational resources and processes to meet and exceed customer expectations.

The Supervisor provides daily on-site management of projects including ordering and tracking of materials/supplies, construction stakeout, time and absence management, implementation of health and safety plans, ensuring work is completed in accordance with the University’s design standards and design drawings, implementation of QA/QC for all work completed and all as built and closeout documentation is completed.

In addition, the position is responsible for communication of all work through a series of meetings and notifications to ensure that the campus community is aware of the planned work in advance.  This includes placing NJ One Call notifications, development of logistics plans, obtaining right-of-way permits, communication with facility managers and working with our facilities Project Communication Manager’s team to communicate the planned work to our Campus partners.

During absences, or as necessary, the Supervisor may assume interim responsibilities of the Manager.

• Leadership and Management – provides direction, focus, guidance, motivation, support, prioritization, and oversight for assigned staff. Develops programs, processes, and procedures that result in a high-level of organizational performance and effectiveness; is responsive to directives from senior leadership and superiors; supports the unit, department, and institutional goals; and promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace. Provides for the professional training and development of employees. Ensures that workplace culture is inclusionary; enforces rules; holds subordinates accountable for effectiveness, efficiency, and personal conduct; conducts effective employment searches and provides hiring recommendations; participates in the administration of discipline as needed.  Responsible for daily management of union staff, including labor and employee relations, all in accordance with departmental and University policy. Provide regular feedback and communication to assigned staff; keep Manager informed and be responsive to directives from leadership; support, and communicate departmental and University policies, goals, and objectives.

• Maintenance, Repair, and Construction Operations – responsible for implementation and management of an effective and efficient infrastructure maintenance repair program, including a preventive maintenance program. Develops, implements, and monitors administrative and technical control processes to ensure the reliable operation of underground utility and campus mobility infrastructure. Develops, implements, manages, and provides oversight to programs and work practices that ensure a high degree of quality of work performed by in-house staff and contractors, and results in a high degree of professionalism and customer satisfaction. Effectively provides management and oversight of contractors, including contract administration, hiring, work planning, execution, and turnover. Plans, organizes, schedules, leads, and oversees assigned staff to ensure high quality work with maximum efficiency and professionalism. Manages team activities, and coordinates with other trade shops, departments, campus customers, and others as necessary. Prioritizes work, establishes responsibilities, and assures excellent customer relations through both high-quality deliverables and professional interactions. Regularly monitors and inspects assigned projects and audits work task performance of assigned staff. Identifies, prioritizes, and estimates maintenance and repair work as well as customer requested work.

• Safety and Code Compliance – ensures that shop work practices are both current and safe, through effective training, monitoring and enforcement of best safety practices and safety work rules with vehicles, tools, equipment, and work tasks. Ensures compliance with University, Facilities, and Governmental safety requirements, including pertinent occupational health, safety and environmental codes and regulations. Responsible for ensuring all shop activities are compliant with applicable codes and other state and municipal regulations. Where necessary, provides documentation for building permits and/or safety inspections; completes all inspections and maintains documentation as required by codes and other laws.

• Budget and Schedule Management – develops initial cost estimates and manages budgets to ensure work is completed within the approved budget. Develops and manages the project planning schedule through completion of the project. With input from the Manager, customers, and the CMMS, develop short- and long-term work schedules that will meet both department maintenance and customer requirements, within established budgets. Determines the most effective and efficient methods to complete tasks, which may include the use of contract services. Assumes shop-level financial responsibility for material purchases, contracted services and proper accounting of employee labor and time. Provides accountability for all shop labor, supplies, equipment and materials used on work orders. For assigned contract efforts, ensures that all purchasing and contracting is in accordance with University policies and regulations, solicits quotes for purchased material and equipment, inspects and oversees contractor to assure full compliance with all University requirements.

• Enterprise Asset Management – ensures the effective utilization of the Facilities computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) system. Develops and implements work practices that result in a consistent, accurate, and timely cost tracking of work unit activities, materials, and purchased services. Develops and regularly review reports which detail performance of the assigned work unit. Provides summary and performance data and/or reports to senior departmental leadership. Utilizes the CMMS to manage shop work daily. Prepares, manages, and documents corrective and preventive maintenance work orders. Works with the assigned Scheduler/Planner to ensure that preventive maintenance work orders are created, scheduled and accomplished in a timely manner and updates are made in the preventive maintenance system.

Perform other duties as assigned, including overtime assignments, special event support, and responding to after-hours campus emergencies. During emergencies, the Supervisor is classified as a Core Essential Employee.

Essential Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Education/Experience – a minimum of five (5) years of verifiable experience in civil infrastructure construction or related field in positions of progressive responsibility, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Management and Leadership – able to develop and communicate goals which are consistent with the departmental and university mission; motivate, plan, lead, organize the workforce to establish and maintain a work culture of excellence and inclusion in all facets of the operation; able to successfully handle multiple tasks at once, and be able to establish appropriate priorities, which are consistent with the best interests of the department and university.
• Specific Knowledge – strong technical knowledge of a wide range of underground utility systems. Utility systems that fall under the department’s responsibility include steam, condensate return, chilled water, hot water, geo-exchange, electrical, information technology infrastructure, water lines, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers.
• Technical Understanding and Competency – ability to effectively read, interpret, and understand technical documents, specifications, diagrams, sequences of operation, and drawings.
• Computer/Software Skills – possess strong skills and proficiency with personal computers and business application software, including use of AutoCad and Bluebeam.
• Communication and Analytical Skills – ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a diverse audience, and possess a knowledge of appropriate escalation protocols; possess highly developed analytical skills.
• Professional Attributes – organized, conceptual, analytical, strategic thinker, results-driven, interpersonal, self-starter, and innovative.
• Project Management – possess project management experience and have a good working knowledge with project planning, scheduling, and work implementation.
• Regulatory and Safety – possess solid knowledge of federal, state, and local safety and regulatory codes, with the ability to research applicable codes related to specific projects, departmental processes, or initiatives.
• After-Hour Emergency Response – must be able to respond to after normal business hour emergencies and incidents as needed, and on short notice.
• Essential Personnel – must be able to function in an essential personnel role, which may include an extended on-campus presence during campus, local, regional, or national emergencies.
• Driver’s License – must have a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field.
• Prior related experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience managing in a union environment.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS