TBR | The College System of Tennessee

Title: Director of Plant Operations & Maintenance

Employee Classification: Administrative/Professional

Institution: Northeast State Community College

Department: Plant Operations & Maintenance

Salary: $75,880-$100,646, annual salary dependent on education and experience

Please use the Total Compensation Calculator found on the Northeast State Careers Page for a breakdown of the value of the benefits offered to employees of the college.

Job Summary

Reporting to the VP for Finance & Administration, the Director of Plant Operations & Maintenance is responsible for overseeing all aspects of facility maintenance and operations across Northeast State Community College (NESCC) campuses. This role manages departmental budgets and personnel for Plant Operations & Maintenance, Grounds & Custodial Services, Environmental Health & Safety, and Mail & Inventory. The Director also serves as the primary project manager for campus construction initiatives and acts as the liaison between NESCC and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR).

Job Duties

• Direct all functions within Plant Operations sub-units, including Maintenance, Grounds & Custodial Services, Environmental Health & Safety, and Mail & Inventory.

• Develop, manage, and monitor budgets for Plant Operations and its associated sub-units.

• Oversee financial planning and resource allocation to ensure cost-effective operations.

• Serve as the NESCC liaison with the TBR and State building personnel; to include preparing and submitting the annual capital budget requests.

• Lead the planning, execution, and oversight of capital projects, new construction, renovations, and major maintenance initiatives.

• Prepare bidding documents, technical specifications, and conduct inspections throughout project lifecycles.

• Provide in-house design services for construction and renovation projects, including architectural, mechanical, and electrical plans that meet regulatory and institutional standards.

• Oversee departmental personnel management, including staffing, performance evaluations and disciplinary actions in collaboration with Human Resources.

• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and professional development.

• Manage NESCC’s vehicle fleet, ensuring proper maintenance, utilization, and compliance.

• Review and approve furniture requisitions across NESCC.

• Serve as active member of NESCC Space Allocation Committee and other committees as assigned.

• Respond promptly to emergencies and urgent facility needs.

• Monitor building automation system, Physical Facilities Survey, and preventive maintenance program.

• Maintain archive of all construction documents including blueprints, specification books, owner’s manuals, etc. for capital projects, contracted repairs and renovations, and in-house facilities work

• Complete other assignments as directed by supervision.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, management, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Three years of supervisory experience in construction or maintenance.
• Experience facilitating partnerships and/or vendor relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience in construction and/or facilities maintenance within a higher education environment.
• Two or more years of professional experience within the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Experience overseeing high-value assets, including specialized equipment and vehicle fleets.
• Experience with crisis management and/or emergency response.
• Conversational ability or fluency in a second language.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Technology Skills: MS Office suite; videoconferencing software; digital records management systems; general operating systems and data information systems.
• Ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings and documents.
• Ability to produce detailed plans and specifications for construction, renovation, and repair projects.
• General knowledge of all construction and maintenance trades gained through in-the-field experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of facilities-related regulations, including OSHA, ADA, and environmental health and safety requirements.
• Expertise in capital project management, including preparation of bid documents, conducting inspections, and ensuring adherence to building codes and regulatory standards.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and foster collaboration.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, especially in navigating institutional committees and external partnerships.
• Crisis management and emergency response capabilities, including familiarity with incident command systems or campus safety protocols.
• Strategic planning and space utilization expertise, with the ability to align facilities operations with institutional growth and academic priorities.

For assistance regarding the job ad, application process, or application status, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 423-354-5183 or HRstaffing@northeaststate.edu.

Special Instructions to Applicants: To be considered for a position at Northeast State, you must create an online application. A resume and unofficial transcripts are required; a cover letter is optional. You will also be required to provide the contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using only what is recorded on your application. Please note that attaching a resume does not substitute for completion of the application form. Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% of full-time experience.