Trades Services Manager

Cal Poly Pomona•Pomona, CA

3d•$60,636 - $194,652•Onsite

About The Position

The Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M) department is seeking a Trades Services Manager to provide leadership, direction, and operational oversight for the campus Trades Shops, including HVAC, Controls, Electrical, Plumbing, Maintenance, Paint, and Lock. This role is responsible for planning, prioritizing, and coordinating daily operations, work order scheduling, preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and staffing resources to ensure efficient, safe, and reliable support of campus facilities and infrastructure. The manager will direct the operation, maintenance, repair, and continuous improvement of the campus's mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and utility infrastructure, ensuring compliance with codes, regulations, and safety standards. This position also involves overseeing maintenance programs through the university's computerized maintenance management system (TMA/CMMS), managing major maintenance shutdowns, utility outages, and emergency repairs, and providing management oversight of the Lock Shop. Additionally, the role leads and coordinates complex, multi-trade projects, manages vendor relationships, and oversees administrative and fiscal management, including budget development and monitoring. The position emphasizes a team-oriented, service-driven approach, promoting a positive work environment and fostering staff competence and accountability.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree - Graduate from a four-year college/university or equivalent education and experience
DL NUMBER - Driver License, Valid and in State
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible facilities operations and maintenance experience in a complex institutional, commercial, healthcare, higher education, or public-sector environment.
Minimum of 3–5 years of direct supervisory or management experience overseeing multiple skilled trades operations such as plumbing, maintenance, paint, lock, HVAC, electrical, or related building trades.
Experience managing preventive and predictive maintenance programs for building infrastructure and utility systems.
Experience coordinating multi-trade maintenance, deferred maintenance, and infrastructure improvement projects.
Experience in coordinating major maintenance projects, system shutdowns, repairs, and capital improvement initiatives.
Experience managing operational budgets, cost tracking, and financial reporting.
Experience collaborating with contractors, consultants, project managers, and cross-functional stakeholders in an active operational environment.
Experience interpreting and applying building codes, OSHA requirements, safety standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Demonstrated experience developing scopes of work, technical specifications, RFPs, and evaluating contractor/vendor performance.
Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and regulations governing facilities maintenance, building operations, and the skilled trades, including HVAC, controls/building automation systems, electrical, plumbing, maintenance, paint, and lock services.
Comprehensive knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, utility distribution, and building infrastructure systems, including preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, building codes, environmental requirements, OSHA safety standards, and CSU policies related to facilities operations and maintenance.
Knowledge of maintenance management systems (CMMS), work order management, asset management, and maintenance planning principles.
Knowledge of project management principles, contract administration, budgeting, procurement, and resource allocation.
Knowledge of supervisory and management principles, including employee development, performance management, labor relations, and organizational effectiveness.
Demonstrate the ability to act independently, show discernment, use judiciousness in all matters, provide management with clear feedback, and make independent decisions as appropriate.
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills to effectively manage multiple trade shops through subordinate supervisors and foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills to prioritize competing operational demands, manage complex maintenance activities, and resolve critical infrastructure issues.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills to build effective relationships with campus leadership, staff, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders
Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple projects, maintenance programs, personnel, and resources simultaneously while balancing operational needs with long-term campus objectives

Nice To Haves

Certified Facility Manager (CFM), APPA certification, PMP, or trade-related certifications.
Experience in a university or large campus environment.
Experience with utility operations and infrastructure renewal planning.
Supervisory experience within collective bargaining and represented staff environment.
Certified Education Facilities Professional (CEFP) certification through the Association of Physical Plant Administrators

Responsibilities

Provides leadership, direction, and operational oversight for the campus Trades Shops, including HVAC, Controls, Electrical, Plumbing, Maintenance, Paint, and Lock.
Plans, prioritizes, and coordinates daily operations, work order scheduling, preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, and staffing resources to ensure efficient, safe, and reliable support of campus facilities and infrastructure through direct supervision of shop supervisors.
Directs the operation, maintenance, repair, and continuous improvement of the campus's mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and utility infrastructure.
Ensures systems are operated, maintained, and repaired in accordance with applicable codes, regulatory requirements, safety standards, and university policies while maximizing system reliability and operational efficiency.
Develops, administers, and continuously improves comprehensive preventive, predictive, and routine maintenance programs for major building systems, utility infrastructure, and campus assets.
Oversees implementation of maintenance programs through the university's computerized maintenance management system (TMA/CMMS), ensuring maintenance schedules, asset records, inspections, and documentation are current, accurate, and support regulatory compliance, operational planning, and informed decision-making.
Works collaboratively with shop supervisors to monitor system performance, evaluate equipment condition, identify infrastructure renewal needs, and research, recommend, and implement equipment upgrades and replacement strategies.
Plans and manages major maintenance shutdowns, utility outages, emergency repairs, and infrastructure restoration activities while coordinating the efforts of university personnel, contractors, consultants, and outside agencies.
Ensures all maintenance, repair, and operational activities are performed in accordance with established quality standards, applicable building codes, environmental and safety regulations, manufacturer recommendations, and university requirements.
Conducts periodic inspections of facilities, evaluates operational performance, and directs corrective actions necessary to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient building operations.
Provides management oversight of the Lock Shop, including coordination of campus door hardware standards, keying systems, and physical security requirements.
Collaborates with Planning, Design & Construction on security hardware specifications for capital projects and works with Information Technology, Public Safety, and other campus stakeholders to support campus security and safety initiatives.
Leads and coordinates complex, multi-trade projects by directing collaboration across internal units and managing communication, scheduling, and coordination with external vendors, contractors, and campus stakeholders.
Oversees the planning, execution, and successful delivery of operational, Deferred Maintenance (DM), and special projects to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and in compliance with university standards, regulatory requirements, and project objectives.
Collaborates with trades supervisors, project managers, and contractors to minimize operational disruptions and ensure effective project integration with ongoing campus operations.
Communicates project updates, campus impacts, scheduling changes, risks, and other pertinent information to the direct supervisor.
Partners closely with Planning, Design & Construction, Facilities Planning & Management leadership, campus departments, consultants, and contractors to support the planning, design, construction, commissioning, maintenance, and operation of building systems and campus utilities.
Provides operational expertise for capital improvement projects, coordinates maintenance activities affecting critical infrastructure, and helps ensure continuity of campus services during renovations, upgrades, shutdowns, and emergency response activities.
Works with the Director of Operations & Maintenance and Senior Associate Vice President of FPM to develop and oversee utility-related budgets and costs, ensuring alignment with overall goals.
Collaboratively develops short- and long-term strategies to enhance utility system performance, efficiency, and infrastructure renewal.
Prepares the annual operating and capital budgets for the HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Maintenance, Paint, and Lock shops in partnership with the Capital Finance & Budget Manager.
Monitors expenditures to ensure alignment with departmental goals and compliance with applicable regulations.
Assists with budget forecasting, trend analysis, and the development of financial pro formas and monthly reports.
Maintains accurate records, ensures regulatory compliance, and oversees maintenance and repair work to meet established quality and safety standards.
Collaborates with the Design and Construction team to obtain cost estimates for maintenance and repair work and communicates deferred maintenance priorities to stakeholders.
Identifies funding opportunities to support infrastructure improvements and continuously evaluates strategies to enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
Develops supporting procurement and project documentation, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), plans, technical specifications, and campus performance standards.
Evaluates contractor and vendor performance and provides input on capital and maintenance projects to ensure compliance with campus standards, operational requirements, and approved materials and equipment specifications.
Prepares and processes requisitions to establish purchase orders for required goods and services.
Provides leadership and oversight for personnel management within the assigned Trades Shops, including organizational planning, position and job description development, performance management, employee coaching, attendance management, and resolution of personnel issues.
Ensures employee accountability and compliance with university policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable employment practices.
Leads with a team-oriented, service-driven approach, emphasizing collaboration, strong technical expertise, and effective communication.
Promotes a positive work environment and a customer service-focused culture by leading through example.
Provides direction and supervision through coaching, performance evaluations, and mentoring, addressing personnel matters as needed.
Builds staff competence and fosters an environment where employees are recognized for their contributions to the success of the facilities team.
Promotes a safe, productive, and professional work environment by ensuring adherence to workplace safety standards, regulatory requirements, and university safety procedures.
Supports employee development through coaching, performance evaluations, and ongoing communication of performance expectations.
Maintains current knowledge of industry standards, emerging technologies, and best practices to support continuous improvement in workforce management, operational effectiveness, and service delivery.
Evaluates and improves the department’s organizational structure to align with the FPM Strategy Map, university mission, operational needs, and available resources.
Assesses staffing, roles, and workflow efficiency; leads process improvements; and implements SAVP-approved structural changes that enhance collaboration and service delivery.
Collaborates with FP&M colleagues, including Planning, Design & Construction, and campus partners to ensure alignment across units and that standards are incorporated, implemented, and inspected for compliance.

Benefits

The California State University (CSU) system provides access to a quality education.
Background check required.
Financial interest disclosure forms required.
Outside employment disclosure required.
Compliance with California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) required.
Compliance with Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) required.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination.
Reasonable accommodations provided for applicants and employees with disabilities.
Equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment.
Compliance with Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA).