Chief Engineer

Position Overview:

Responsible to lead, support and direct all property engineering and maintenance department operations.  Maintain property appearance, equipment, HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration and electrical systems.  This includes physical plant and fixtures to provide maximum profitability and operational efficiency.  Identify life/safety equipment and procedures, and report any concerns to the General Manager (GM). Responsible to maintain basic systems operation and complete repair to other building components that influence guest services.  To uphold our company standards and mission.

Essential Functions:

• Perform all repair and maintenance to building including, but not limited to; HVAC system, plumbing, electrical, coolers and ice machines. 
• Perform and assist in the assignment and completion of preventative and facility maintenance work orders. 
• Maintain a safe facility, policing grounds, walks, parking lot, and mechanical equipment rooms.
• Certify all required annual inspections are completed for code compliance.  This includes the boiler, elevator, swimming pool, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency lights, OSHA, and health codes. All reports are submitted to the GM.
• Hire and manage maintenance department, confirm staffing levels are appropriate for occupancy.
• Participate in all required and requested hotel department meetings, as per General Manager.

Leadership Functions:

Create and maintain a positive work environment through team building and serve as a role model for staff in terms of: 

• Professionalism     
• Attitude     
• Respect       
• Communication
• Appearance     
• Conduct     
• Cooperation     
• Trust

Uphold and abide by the policies in the Associate Handbook, for your position. Follow these policies, rules and regulations for the safe and effective overall operation. Teach and enforce all existing and new policies and procedures. Must have commitment to company values.  

Maintain a hands-on, positive and inspirational coaching approach to working with and supporting your supervisors and associates. Be a good role model and actively seek coaching opportunities to help maintain a positive work environment. Help maintain this environment through team building. Be proactive to assure your property has a “harassment free” work environment. Report all harassing behavior immediately.

Maintain a positive approach to working with associates to include coaching and counseling. Offer praise for those times when someone is doing the right thing and immediately correct when improvement is necessary.  

Maintain a 40 to 45-hour average annual workweek. Work schedule prescribed by the General Manager.  

As the leader of the Maintenance Department, your presence helping and supporting the team is essential to our overall success.  You are an ambassador of the property for our guests. Lead by the right example and model the right behavior for your team.

Support your team with a “Hands On” approach during shifts. Perform daily maintenance functions as routine. Lead by example.

Professionally represent the hotel and property while on property and out in the local community.

Ensure aggressive "guest first" attitude among team members and provide a friendly guest contact experience.

Directly supervise the duties of your team, of up to one supervisor and six staff members.

Management Responsibilities:

Be knowledgeable of and comply with all safety, OSHA standards and procedures, and all performance standards for department and property. Ensure good safety practices of employees and guests, and assist in the maintenance of property emergency and security procedures.

Schedule, assign daily work load, support and monitor productivity of maintenance staff.  

Assist in maintaining favorable working relationships among employees and promote maximum morale, productivity, and efficiency within the department.  Keep secure all confidential paperwork and information.  

Help to interview perspective department personnel when appropriate. Maintain the proper two interview technique, procedures and check references.

Ensure all new hire paperwork is completed accurately and submitted before the start of the new pay period. Confirm there is a proper orientation process in place for the department. 

Oversee training and development of Maintenance Department personnel, as applicable.  Keep training materials current and accurate. Staff development may process through the use of manuals, our on-line training system, training guides, tests and tools. Follow prescribed processes and checklists.  

Assist with staff evaluations, help monitor and supervise the process.

Monitor appearance of employees to verify they meet department, property uniform and appearance guidelines.  

Keep immediate supervisor promptly and fully informed of all problems, or unusual matters of significance.   Bring these items to his/her attention to allow prompt corrective action, when appropriate. 

Conduct monthly departmental meetings, bi-weekly supervisor meetings, and any additional meetings as directed/needed.   

Plan for and actively participate in the weekly hotel staff department meeting. Attend and actively participate in management meetings, as directed by General Manager.

Plan, document, present and hold yourself and your team accountable for your own set of projects and goals for the property. Follow up appropriately. Attend and participate in monthly one-on-one meetings with General Manager. Review goals/projects with GM and complete assigned tasks. 

Maintain a proactive Worker’s Compensation program. This will help to insure the safety and well-being of our employees. In the event an employee is injured, verify a First Report of Injury form is completed, within 24 hours of the incident.  Confirm that all Worker’s Compensation forms get filled out and submitted.

Follow all state and federal labor and employment laws. Do not hire anyone, under the age of sixteen, to work on our property. (see General Manager for any state specific exemption)

Engineering Responsibilities:

Utilize basic knowledge of mechanical repairs, methods and practices to complete daily assigned preventative and corrective work orders for guest rooms and public spaces.

Complete all other maintenance assignments, as needed. Complete lease area work orders, as applicable.  

Maintain cleanliness, chemical treatment and documentation of swimming pool and spa. 

Maintain and assist in cleanliness of mechanical equipment rooms and maintenance shop.  Confirm no equipment is near electrical boxes.  

Knowledgeable of the alarm system; location of smoke detectors, alarms and sprinkler shut off valves.

Perform and assist in the assignment and completion of preventative and facility maintenance work orders/repairs, to pressure vessels, and related equipment.

Confirm timely completion of all assigned maintenance requests and provide direction to maintenance team regarding tasks needing attention.

Respond to fire alarm system activation, relaying information to responding personnel, and to other staff.  Responsible for training of other staff, including front office.

Maintain electrical license and knowledge of all voltage systems, wiring, and motors throughout the property.

Use proper “Lock Out – Tag Out” safety procedures when maintaining any equipment.

Maintain secure storage, cutting and control of all duplicate keys for the hotel.

Other Responsibilities:

Review department responsibilities for all outside contract services with the General Manager.

Perform seasonal work; ice and snow removal of parking lot, sidewalks, and grounds clean-up, site preparation and close-out, and assist in upkeep/repairs to irrigation system and components.

Perform seasonal maintenance to provide for system start-up and shutdown, including power washer, components and site clean-up.

Keep GM informed of any problems that develop on shift and of corrective actions necessary.

Obtain bids on major expenditures and capital projects over $500 and review with the GM.

Serve guests as needed and directed.

Maintain specific budget guidelines as directed from GM and Regional/District Manager.  Assist in preparation of capital budget.

All other duties as assigned.

Qualification Standards:

The individual must possess the job knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job.

This being with or without reasonable accommodation, using a combination of knowledge, skills and abilities.

Education: High School Diploma or GED.  

Some college preferred.

Experience: Supervisory experience preferred. 

Maintenance and HVAC experience required. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Licenses or Certificates: 

• State requirements
• Valid Class C (or as state requires) driver’s license preferred.  Must be insurable according to insurance company standards. 
• Boiler, pool, CPR, and refrigeration certifications preferred, or to be obtained after employment.

Specific job knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Communicate verbally to staff.
• Possess and demonstrate supervisory and training skills/abilities. 
• Read and write numbers and basic English, to record meters and interpret work order requests.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple programs, ongoing projects, and staff members.
• Able to use computer.
• Provide clear, concise directions, instructions and exercise good judgement.
• Ability to organize, perform, and prioritize work.  
• Ability to meet deadlines and ensure thorough completion of assignments.
• Act independently with minimal supervision.
• Handle stressful situations involving life/safety emergencies.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws governing equal employment opportunity and civil rights, occupational safety and health, wage and hour issues, labor relations, and corporate and property-specific policies.

Physical Requirements:

• Climb steps in hotels that do not provide elevators.  
• Push and pull heavy equipment, up to 100 lbs., for periods of time
• Independent lifting of loads up to 100 lbs. and combined lifting in excess of 100 lbs.
• Walk throughout entire property, including stairs, and stand on feet for long periods of time up to entire shift.
• Ability to stand, sit, walk, climb, bend, crouch/stoop, twist and reach for extended periods of time.
• Possess manual dexterity to operate necessary equipment. 

Appearance Guidelines: 

Hotel Department uniform is required. See Engineer dress and appearance guidelines. Also, one must maintain a neat, clean and well-groomed appearance.