Job Title: Chief Operations Officer

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Reports to: Deputy Supt for Finance & Operations

Pay Grade: Admin/Prof - 10

Dept./School: Operations

Work Calendar: 240 Days

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Direct, manage, and provide leadership for the operations functions of the district.  Responsible for oversight of Facilities and Maintenance, Construction, Technology, Child Nutrition, and Transportation departments.  Prioritizes maintaining the district’s physical facilities in excellent operating condition to ensure full educational use at all times, and providing a functional, safe, clean, and attractive environment. Ensures high-quality services for efficient and effective operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification:

Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, architecture, facilities management, or related field/Master’s degree preferred  

Clear and valid Texas driver’s license

Special Knowledge/Skills:

The ideal candidate will be:

• a creative visionary who is passionately focused on effecting change and has the ability to merge data and fact with intuition, imagination, and innovation in an effort to realize the possibilities rather than be content with the probabilities;
• a dedicated professional who creates a supportive environment by modeling and expecting accountability and responsibility; who exemplifies ethics; who accepts and values the differences of others, and who has a sense of human wisdom, courage, and compassion;
• an effective communicator with exceptional public relations and interpersonal skills, who is open-minded and perceptive to the needs and expectations of the students, campus and district staff, parents, and members of the community, and who, through the art of collaboration and creative problem solving, cultivates cohesiveness;
• an inspiring catalyst who motivates and empowers others to become leaders and risk takers, and who acknowledges the expertise, celebrates the successes, and honors the lives of others; and
• a life-long learner who perpetuates self-motivated learning, and resourcefully and effectively seeks dynamic change with continuous monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting.

In addition, the candidate should have:

• Knowledge of overall school district operations including facilities, construction, transportation, and child nutrition services;
• Knowledge of project planning; state public school construction rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, TEA facility standards for public schools, Texas procurement statutes, municipal ordinances, and interlocal development agreements;
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to public education

• Knowledge of principles of construction, land development, demographic analysis, school plant maintenance, and custodial operations, energy and environmental management, and building codes;
• Knowledge of standard contract forms and documents used in the delivery of design and construction services. Understanding of District and campus operations and programs;
• Ability to evaluate and manage budgets and personnel, solve complex problems and develop long-and short-range plans;
• Ability to read blueprints and schematics; and
• Exceptional organization, written and verbal communication, public relations, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Experience:

• Three to five years supervisory experience in maintenance, operations and/or construction  and planning with public school districts
• Experience in construction, facilities, and management preferred
• Five years successful experience public school or private sector management

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Long Range Planning

1. Supervise, support, and direct the district’s long-range planning efforts, including facility needs, land purchases, and infrastructure.
2. Plan for district growth and all corresponding operational needs with district staff.
3. Develop a 10-year master facility plan and update annually.

Operations Management

1. Manage multiple complex K-12 operational systems to ensure functionality, performance, quality, and to maximize efficiencies.
2. Apply sound technical expertise and guidance with respect to aligning departmental systems and processes in support of the district’s Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan to include ongoing assessment and data analysis.
3. Direct the operations of various district activities through subordinate directors and managers.
4. Enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction through communication and collaboration.

Facilities Maintenance

1. Ensure district facilities are functional, safe, clean, and well-maintained.
2. Maintain an efficient work order system.
3. Develop and maintain written procedures for maintenance and operations.
4. Inspect facilities and recommend improvements.
5. Oversee coordination of maintenance for extracurricular activities and special programs.
6. Enforce the district’s facility use policy and energy management programs.
7. Prepare plans and specifications for contracted repair work and site improvement for submission to the purchasing department for bids.
8. Establish and enforce procedures for locking, checking, and safeguarding facilities.
9. Ensure quality control of all contractor work.

Construction Oversight

1. Supervise and direct  functions related to new construction and bond programs
2. Ensure compliance with codes and ordinances regulating construction projects.
3. Conduct on-site inspections to ensure project conformance.
4. Participate in the prequalification process for architects, engineers, and contractors.
5. Exercise oversight of the Construction department to ensure efficient functioning and act as liaison with the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent for Finance and Operations for all new construction and/or the renovation of existing facilities
6. Attend project development and construction progress meetings regularly.
7. Work with city, county, state, and federal officials to ensure conformity with codes and ordinances regulating district construction projects.
8. Consult faculty, administrative staff, and community to determine program-driven design needs.
9. Plan and coordinate meetings with the Bond Advisory Committee
10. Maintain records of district agreements with contractors and subcontractors

Budget and Inventory

1. Compile budget and cost estimates and ensure wise management of funds
2. Initiate purchases and bids to budgetary limitations and district policies.
3. Maintain inventory controls and recommend disposal of obsolete equipment and machinery. 

Policy, Reports, and Law

1. Ensure compliance with federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy.
2. Compile reports of complex data to make presentations to the board, community, and  district stakeholders.

Safety

1. Participate in the development of the district’s safety and disaster plans and be prepared to take an active role in responding to emergencies as needed.
2. Maintain and enforce compliance with safety standards in conformance with federal, state, and insurance regulations, including, but not limited to asbestos and pest control regulations, disposal of trash and/or hazardous waste, and occupational health and safety codes and standards.

Personnel Management

1. Oversee recruitment, training, and supervision of department personnel.
2. As appropriate, supervise and inspect the work performed by outside contractors.
3. Assist Human Resource Services in the review and revision of departmental job descriptions as needed.

Other

1. Compile reports and make public presentations
2. Participate in professional growth activities to keep abreast of innovative techniques within all reporting departments
3. Maintain good rapport with district administrators, staff, parents and the community.
4. Maintain confidentiality.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Exercise supervisory responsibility for Facilities & Construction department staff. 

WORKING CONDITIONS -

MENTAL DEMANDS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS / ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals; small hand tools; ladder; mechanical and electrical testing equipment; small truck or van.

Posture: Frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.

Motion: Frequent walking, climbing stairs/ladders, grasping/squeezing, wrist flexion/extension, and overhead reaching; frequent driving.

Environment: Frequent district-wide travel; frequent prolonged and irregular hours; work outside and inside, on slippery or uneven walking surfaces; frequent exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures, dust, noise, vibration; exposure to chemical and electrical hazards; work around machinery with moving parts; work around moving objects or vehicles; work alone.

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.