Director of Facilities & Campus Projects
The Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum is looking for an experienced, highly self-motivated Director of Facilities & Campus Projects.
The Director of Facilities & Campus Projects is responsible for leading, managing, and directing all operations of the Zoo’s facilities and campus construction projects, including, but not limited to, the appearance and repair of all buildings, habitats, exhibits, fences, fire and security alarms, equipment, HVAC, pool filtration systems, electrical, plumbing, infrastructure, asset management, custodial management, and environmental sustainability. This position will serve as the Zoo’s lead project manager on capital and other construction projects. This role is an integral part of the team that provides oversight of the Zoo’s safety and security procedures and programs.
Essential Functions include:
• Develops, implements, and oversees the facilities/maintenance strategies, including, budget preparation and management, planning, scheduling and coordinating work, work order prioritization, work completion, team support, emergency response, procurement, customer service and communication.
• Provides strong, strategic leadership, training, and direction to the facilities/maintenance and custodial staff and is responsible for staff management.
• Assures projects are appropriately prioritized and safe methods are followed in the daily operation of building maintenance, repair and renovation needs of all areas, including animal habitats, buildings, and guest-accessible areas.
• Oversees scheduled maintenance and as-needed repair of buildings, grounds, or associated systems and equipment. This role will also conduct space planning and or modify building equipment layouts in response to changing organizational needs.
• Coordinates construction-related activities that impact Zoo operations, including, but not limited to, utility shut-offs, walk or road closures, etc.
• In conjunction with CEO, represents the Zoo in both new construction and remodeling projects by providing leadership in the soliciting of proposals and bids, hiring of general and sub-contractors, coordination with architects and engineers. Negotiates contracts for small projects. Ensures design, engineering and construction standards are met.
• Works with contractors and stake holders to oversee construction, major repair projects and processes including design, mobilization, due diligence, work in-progress, quality control processes, estimating, purchasing, submittals, scheduling, project logs, and construction close-out.
• Develops and oversees the asset management program, and the preventive maintenance program.
• Participates in the overall planning and direction of Great Plains Zoo serving as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Co-chairs the Zoo’s safety and security programs, ensuring the Zoo is a safe environment for all staff, guests, and animals.
• Works with Zoo staff and Sioux Falls Park District providing oversight of the care and maintenance of Zoo grounds, including horticulture, custodial and maintenance of Parks buildings and grounds ensuring aesthetic beauty and safety.
• Ensures staff is closely monitoring equipment, completing necessary tasks as required and maintaining accurate records of maintenance and repairs.
• Oversees the ordering, inventory of materials/supplies, work orders, and all record keeping of the department.
• Uses sound judgment in significant matters when coordinating and planning for inspections, recommended repairs and improvements for facilities and grounds to meet all environmental and safety standards.
• Uses sound judgment in significant matters when working with management team to coordinate the short and long-term facility improvement plans.
• Act as primary liaison with on-site City Parks staff.
• Serves as primary contact for facilities-related emergencies, which may require evening and weekend response.
Qualifications include:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Construction Management, Engineering or Facilities Management, Business Management or related field or equivalent level of work experience and education as determined by the hiring authority.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience of project management on several large commercial or institutional projects or 5 years’ experience with commercial construction in increasingly responsible positions.
• Previous experience in an AZA accredited facility is preferred.
• Strong planning, analytical and decision-making skills are required, as well as the ability to work in a dynamic, evolving organization.
• Previous experience managing a team is required.
• Exceptional organizational, time management and project management skills.
• Ability to succeed in a continuous improvement mode in a fast-paced environment with multiple, competing priorities with a high degree of integrity and ethics.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing problems and developing and implementing action plans.
• Leadership skills to transform, lead and hold accountable teams.
• Proven experience in managing external providers/vendors in construction of large and small-scale projects.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills to work closely with a wide variety of stakeholders of all skill levels and abilities. Must be able to effectively and frequently communicate and work collaboratively with staff, vendors, contractors, members of the public, government and regulatory officials.
• Thorough knowledge of facilities management principles and practices.
• Ability to drive and move projects and initiatives forward to completion as well as manage projects concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Must be well versed in all aspects of the construction management process: pre-construction, constructions, and project close-out.
• Understanding of all appropriate federal, state, and local laws, building and safety codes.
• Ability to detect, assess, identify, and observe surroundings to make sound judgments, along iwth the ability to effectively communicate and comprehend and decipher information accurately.
• Must have the ability to develop long-term “big picture” strategies for the Zoo.
• Familiarity and knowledge of the various building systems including, but not limited to, HVAC, plumbing, electrical and custodial.
The Great Plains Zoo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a greater understanding of our natural world through Education, Conservation, Recreation and Discovery. The Great Plains Zoo cares for animals from around the world and offers up-close views of animals often not found in larger zoos, including giraffes, tigers, black rhinos and a national award-winning Snow Monkey exhibit.
The 45-acre Great Plains Zoo is located in Sioux Falls, SD a vibrant and growing community!
• A metro population of over 278,000.
• Smart Asset ranks Sioux Falls first as the Best City For Young Professionals in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
• ZipRecruiter identified Sioux Falls as the third hottest job market in 2020.
• WalletHub ranked Sioux Falls as No. 15 on the 2019 list of Happiest Cities in America.
• Livability ranked Sioux Falls No. 7 among the 2019 Top 100 Best Places to Live
Full-time positions include competitive pay and a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life and short and long term disability insurances, a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, eight paid holidays and a PTO allowance.
