Chief Engineer | Icicle Village Resort

Columbia Hospitality•Leavenworth, WA

41d•$90,200 - $100,200•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Engineer is responsible for maintaining the property's physical plant, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, building automation, pool/spa, kitchen, laundry, lighting, and other building systems to ensure reliable and efficient operation. This role leads the property's preventive maintenance program, oversees maintenance and repair of various areas, monitors building systems for cost reduction opportunities, and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements. The Chief Engineer also manages the Engineering/Maintenance team, handles outside contractors, assists with budget preparation and capital expenditure planning, and responds to guest-impacting maintenance issues and emergencies. A key member of the property's safety program, this role ensures adherence to safety procedures and effective communication with hotel leadership.

Requirements

7–10 years of progressively responsible facilities, building maintenance, engineering, or related experience; hotel, resort, multifamily, commercial building, or institutional facilities experience strongly preferred.
Minimum 3–5 years of supervisory or management experience leading maintenance or engineering employees preferred.
Demonstrated experience managing a comprehensive preventive maintenance program.
Strong working knowledge of HVAC systems, boilers, hydronic systems, pumps, plumbing, electrical systems, refrigeration, and general building systems.
Experience troubleshooting mechanical and electrical equipment and determining when repairs can be completed internally versus requiring a licensed contractor or specialized vendor.
Working knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment, refrigeration, laundry equipment, pools/spas, and hotel guest-room systems preferred.
Knowledge of fire and life-safety systems, including fire alarms, sprinkler systems, emergency lighting, extinguishers, and related inspection requirements.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, wiring diagrams, equipment manuals, technical specifications, and construction documents.
Strong general maintenance skills including carpentry, drywall, painting, plumbing repairs, hardware, door and lock repairs, and basic electrical troubleshooting.
Ability to safely and effectively operate hand tools, power tools, ladders, lifts, testing equipment, and other maintenance equipment.
Knowledge of workplace safety practices, including lockout/tagout, PPE, chemical handling/SDS requirements, ladder safety, and safe work practices.
Experience supervising contractors, reviewing proposals, obtaining bids, and coordinating vendor work.
Ability to develop repair estimates, evaluate repair-versus-replacement decisions, and assist with capital expenditure planning.
Experience managing departmental expenses, purchasing, inventory, and operating within established budgets.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize preventive maintenance, work orders, projects, emergencies, and guest-service requests simultaneously.
Ability to use computerized maintenance management/work-order systems, email, spreadsheets, and other standard business applications.
Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to train employees, establish expectations, provide feedback, and hold team members accountable.
Ability to communicate effectively with hotel leadership, employees, guests, contractors, inspectors, and regulatory agencies.
Ability to investigate recurring equipment failures, identify root causes, and develop practical long-term solutions rather than relying solely on temporary repairs.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining guest areas and back-of-house facilities to established property standards.
Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during emergencies, equipment failures, and high-pressure operational situations.
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record if operation of company vehicles is required.
Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position, including standing and walking for extended periods, climbing ladders and stairs, bending, kneeling, reaching, working in mechanical spaces, and lifting/carrying equipment and materials consistent with the position.
Must be available for after-hours emergencies and able to work a flexible schedule based on hotel occupancy, projects, emergencies, and operational needs.

Nice To Haves

Applicable HVAC, electrical, plumbing, pool/spa, boiler, EPA refrigerant, or other technical certifications are preferred but not necessarily required depending upon the property's needs.

Responsibilities

Maintain the property’s physical plant, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, building automation, pool/spa, kitchen, laundry, lighting, and other building systems to ensure reliable and efficient operation.
Lead the property’s preventive maintenance program, establishing schedules, documenting completion, identifying recurring problems, and ensuring equipment is maintained according to manufacturer recommendations.
Oversee maintenance and repair of guest rooms, public areas, restaurant and kitchen areas, back-of-house spaces, exterior areas, and property amenities.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of the property’s HVAC, boilers, water heaters, pumps, circulation systems, electrical distribution, plumbing, refrigeration, and related equipment.
Monitor building systems and utility consumption and identify opportunities to reduce energy, water, and operating costs without negatively affecting guest comfort or equipment reliability.
Maintain life-safety systems and coordinate required inspections, testing, service, and documentation for fire alarms, fire suppression systems, emergency lighting, elevators, backflow devices, and other regulated equipment.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local building, fire, health, environmental, workplace safety, and other regulatory requirements.
Maintain accurate maintenance records, equipment histories, inspection records, warranties, service agreements, SDS documentation, and preventive maintenance logs.
Effectively manage the Engineering/Maintenance team, including recruiting, onboarding, training, scheduling, assigning work, coaching, performance management, and development of team members.
Establish daily and weekly priorities and ensure work orders, preventive maintenance, guest requests, and projects are completed accurately and within established timelines.
Regularly inspect guest rooms, public areas, mechanical rooms, roofs, exterior areas, and equipment to identify deficiencies before they become operational or guest-service issues.
Maintain engineering storerooms, shops, mechanical rooms, and workspaces in a clean, safe, secure, and organized condition.
Maintain appropriate inventory levels of commonly used parts, supplies, tools, and equipment while controlling unnecessary inventory and expense.
Ensure proper care, maintenance, accountability, and safe operation of all department tools and equipment.
Manage outside contractors and service vendors, including obtaining proposals, coordinating access and work schedules, reviewing completed work, and verifying invoices and contract requirements.
Assist with preparation and management of the Engineering operating budget, repair and maintenance expenses, and capital expenditure planning.
Identify major equipment nearing the end of its useful life and provide management with recommendations for repair, replacement, or capital planning.
Assist in developing scopes of work, obtaining competitive bids, and overseeing renovation, repair, and capital improvement projects.
Maintain appropriate documentation for warranties and ensure warranty repairs are pursued when applicable.
Respond promptly and professionally to guest-impacting maintenance issues, coordinating with Front Desk, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, and other departments as necessary.
Participate in property emergency preparedness, including fire response, power outages, water interruptions, severe weather, equipment failures, evacuations, and other emergency situations.
Serve as a key member of the property’s safety program by identifying hazards, correcting unsafe conditions, and ensuring Engineering employees follow established safety procedures and proper PPE requirements.
Ensure appropriate lockout/tagout, chemical handling, ladder safety, electrical safety, confined-space and other applicable safety procedures are followed.
Maintain effective communication with hotel leadership regarding equipment failures, significant repairs, safety concerns, capital needs, project status, and potential operational disruptions.
Respond to after-hours emergencies and participate in an on-call rotation as required.
Work evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency shifts when business or operational needs require.
Perform hands-on maintenance and repairs when necessary and provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to Engineering team members.
Perform other duties and projects as assigned.