Deputy Chief of Facilities and Maintenance Operations

JOB SUMMARY

The Deputy Chief of Facilities and Maintenance Operations (Deputy Chief of FMO) provides strong leadership and oversight for the Facilities Services, HVAC, and Maintenance & Repairs departments. This role also includes general oversight of Capital Projects and Construction Services, Nutrition Services, and Athletics and UIL Compliance.

Key responsibilities involve assisting the Chief Facilities & Maintenance Operations Officer in coordinating, monitoring, and prioritizing workflow requirements for the division’s senior leadership team. The Deputy Chief will ensure efficient daily operations and activities, facilitating prompt interactions with the Board of Education/Managers, and the Office of the Superintendent.

The position reports to the Chief Facilities and Maintenance Operations Officer.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Leadership and Oversight: 
•    Maintains a close working knowledge and understanding of all issues and priorities within Houston Independent School District, Facilities and Maintenance Operations, and those departmental issues that may require the attention of the Chief of FMO.
•    Leads the HVAC and Maintenance & Repairs operations, ensuring timely and quality service provision.
•    Assists senior staff with problems, issues, program status or activities and assists with providing reports to the Chief of FMO. Coordinates the strategic direction and leads assigned teams for developing strategic long-term goals related to assigned area of responsibility.
•    Promotes environmentally responsible practices within FMO and keeps abreast of current developments, operational, and technical sources of information.
•    Oversees and/or personally completes, as needed, or requested by the Chief of FMO, the departments updates and reports required for all meetings and presentations.
2.    Operational Management:
•    Maintains operational policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and service quality.
•    Coordinates with Grounds Services to ensure the maintenance and aesthetic quality of all campuses and support facilities.
•    Ensures compliance with life safety systems and regulations, conducting regular audits and assessments.
3.    Project Oversight:
•    Provides general oversight for Capital Projects and Construction Services, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
•    Collaborates with senior leadership, project managers, and stakeholders to ensure alignment with operational goals.
 

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

4.    Interdepartmental Coordination:
•    Works closely with Nutrition Services to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
•    Partners with Athletics and UIL Compliance to ensure all standards are met for events and activities.
•    Ensures, as follow-up, that directives, special projects, and priorities as established by the Chief of FMO are completed by departments in a timely, accurate and cost-effective manner.
5.    Strategic Planning:
•    Fosters and promotes teamwork in the design and development of operational strategies.
•    Participates in long-term strategic planning and resource allocation to support operational activities.
•    Identifies and recommends opportunities for process improvements and best practices across departments.
6    Budget Oversight:
•    Reviews operational reports, procurement requests, vendor proposals, budget requests, and appropriateness for consideration and approval. 
•    Directs, analyzes, and understands all facilities related expenditures requests in relation to actual budgeted amounts. 
•    Analyzes budget variances and recommends corrective actions as necessary.
7.    Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
 

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in business, management, finance, or related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

Significant supervisory project management experience (5+ years), preferably in a large, urban school district.

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Expert knowledge of HISD and/or understanding of urban education and change management in complex systems.
Knowledge and appreciation of business concepts, strong business writing skills, and strong knowledge of spreadsheet and presentation software.
Strong problem-solving and project management skills, including strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach an end goal.
A commitment to equity; demonstrates a sense of urgency regarding closing the achievement gap and driving equitable educational opportunities for all students.
A successful record leading effective teams and individuals, managing organizational change, setting and achieving ambitious goals, and initiating key innovations.
Demonstrated ability to develop a vision and inspire others to achieve shared goals.
Comfort in leading difficult conversations, guided by the best interests of students and families.
Integrity and clarity in all communications and interactions.
Strong time management skills and the ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines.
Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills.
A flexible, optimistic approach; committed to overcoming challenges; comfortable with change and ambiguity.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences (e.g., large groups, staff meetings, executive briefings, public board meetings, memos).
Strong analytical skills and a high degree of intellectual curiosity to distill analysis into insights and translate insights into action.
A performance management, accountability, and systems-thinking orientation necessary to inform data-driven strategy development and execution.
Ability to initiate and manage cohesive partnerships and professional relationships with stakeholders at all levels, along with the ability to build consensus on pathways for improving student outcomes and addressing complex issues.
Willingness to go above and beyond to contribute to the success of a dynamic team committed to a new future for urban education.
Fluency in all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic oversight for multiple departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district wide.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.
 

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas.  May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.
 

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies, or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.
 

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.
 

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Leads others in the resolution of highly sensitive and confidential issues on behalf of the department. Acts as a trusted advisor and becomes involved in the customer's decision-making process including presenting alternatives and information and applying persuasion and negotiation skills in the resolution of problems. Monitors customer service standards.
 

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.
Ability to carry and/or lift less than 45 pounds.