Director of Trades and Utilities

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Salem, MA

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Trades and Utilities provides strategic leadership, technical expertise, and operational oversight for Salem State University's central utility systems, licensed trades workforce, building automation systems, and energy management programs. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities, the Director ensures the safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable operation of the University's heating, cooling, utility, and energy infrastructure.

The Director is the university's senior operational leader for central utilities and licensed trades, overseeing the campus steam plant, water treatment programs, building automation systems, and energy management functions. The role leads operational implementation of campus decarbonization initiatives, including transitioning from steam-based infrastructure to low-temperature hot water systems and other sustainable energy technologies. The Director develops and leads a highly skilled workforce to support current and future utility infrastructure, keeping campus systems reliable, resilient, and aligned with the university's sustainability and strategic goals.

This is an onsite position in Salem, Massachusetts, with on-campus, in-person responsibilities that may occasionally require work on evenings and weekends. Employment is contingent on a background and CORI check satisfactory to the university. The position is not eligible for H1B visa sponsorship.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Facilities Engineering, Facilities Management, Construction Management, or a closely related technical discipline.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience managing central utility plants, district energy systems, institutional heating and cooling operations, or complex facilities infrastructure.
• At least 5 years of supervisory and management experience leading licensed trades personnel, utility operators, or facilities maintenance teams.
• Extensive experience operating and maintaining central heating and cooling systems, including steam plants, boilers, chillers, hot water systems, chilled water systems, cooling towers, pumps, and HVAC infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience managing sustainable utility plant operations, energy optimization programs, and infrastructure modernization initiatives.
• Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS), Direct Digital Controls (DDC), energy management systems, and utility analytics platforms.
• Knowledge of water treatment practices, regulatory compliance requirements, safety standards, and asset management principles.
• Applicants must apply online at the Salem State Career site and attach a resume and cover letter.
• Employment is contingent upon a background and CORI check satisfactory to the university.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Energy Management, Facilities Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of experience managing central utility plants and district energy systems.
• Experience leading steam-to-hot-water conversion projects and campus decarbonization initiatives.
• Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Plant Engineer (CPE), Facilities Management Professional (FMP), or equivalent professional certification.
• Excellent leadership, communication, project management, and organizational skills.
• Strong engineering, analytical, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Experience hiring and managing unionized workforces and collective bargaining environments.
• Experience in higher education, healthcare, municipal government, or similarly complex institutional environments.
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), predictive maintenance technologies, and advanced building analytics platforms.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, technical expertise, and operational oversight for central utility systems, the licensed trades workforce, building automation systems, and energy management programs.
• Ensure the safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable operation of university heating, cooling, utility, and energy infrastructure.
• Oversee the campus steam plant, water treatment programs, building automation systems, and energy management functions.
• Lead operational implementation of campus decarbonization initiatives, including the transition from steam-based infrastructure to low-temperature hot water systems and other sustainable energy technologies.
• Develop and lead a skilled workforce capable of supporting current and future utility infrastructure.
• Maintain reliable and resilient campus systems aligned with the university's sustainability and strategic goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director