Job Title

Plant Operations Director – Healthcare Facilities

Job Type

• Full-Time
• Director / Department Head
• Onsite

Compensation

• Base salary range: $106,000 – $160,000

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer contributions
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement / education support
• Employee referral program
• Employee discounts
• Pet insurance
• On-site food service options
• Professional development and certification support (e.g., CHFM)
• Uniforms / workwear provided or stipend (where applicable)

Work Location

• Middlebury, Vermont, 05753
• Onsite

Work Schedule

Full-time, exempt leadership position; generally Monday–Friday day shift with flexibility required for emergencies, critical projects, inspections, and occasional evenings/weekends as operational needs arise.

Travel

Primarily based onsite in Middlebury, VT, with occasional travel to affiliated sites, system meetings, vendors, training, and regulatory inspections as required (typically regional and infrequent).

Relocation

Partial relocation assistance available for qualified candidates in accordance with company policy.

Company Description

This confidential, mission-driven healthcare organization serves Middlebury, Vermont and the surrounding communities through a network of hospital and outpatient facilities. The organization is dedicated to providing safe, high-quality, patient-centered care while maintaining modern, reliable, and compliant facilities that support clinical excellence. The Plant Operations Director will join a collaborative leadership team and work closely with clinical, support, and administrative leaders to ensure that all facilities, building systems, and plant operations meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. As part of a broader health network, the organization values teamwork, continuous improvement, and the proactive stewardship of its physical environment and infrastructure.

Job Summary

The Plant Operations Director is responsible for the overall leadership, direction, and performance of Plant Operations, Facilities Maintenance, Biomedical Engineering, and Hazardous Waste functions for a multi-site healthcare organization based in Middlebury, Vermont. This role ensures that all hospital and clinic buildings, grounds, building systems, and equipment are safe, functional, code-compliant, and aligned with organizational goals. The Director will oversee the maintenance and operation of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, utility, and life safety systems, as well as biomedical equipment and hazardous materials/waste management programs. The Plant Operations Director serves as a key member of the operational leadership team, collaborating with hospital executives, nursing and clinical leaders, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and the broader health network facilities council. The successful candidate will combine strong technical knowledge with proven leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a commitment to regulatory compliance and safety in a healthcare environment.

Why Join

• High-Impact Leadership Role: Directly influence the safety, reliability, and performance of a hospital and its affiliated facilities, ensuring a safe and healing environment for patients, families, and staff.
• Mission-Driven Organization: Join a healthcare provider committed to quality care, patient safety, and community service, where facilities excellence is a core enabler of clinical outcomes.
• Broad Scope & Variety: Lead multiple functions—plant operations, facilities maintenance, biomedical systems, life safety, and hazardous waste—across inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Strategic Network Collaboration: Engage with a broader health network facilities council to share best practices, align standards, and participate in system-wide planning and capital initiatives.
• Professional Growth: Opportunity to leverage and expand expertise in healthcare facilities operations, regulatory compliance, and capital planning; support available for professional development and certifications (e.g., CHFM).
• Attractive Location: Live and work in Middlebury, Vermont, a scenic New England community with access to outdoor recreation, arts, culture, and a high quality of life.
• Competitive Compensation & Benefits: Receive a competitive salary, robust benefits package, partial relocation assistance, and support for work-life balance.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Plant Operations, Facilities Maintenance, Biomedical Engineering, and Hazardous Waste functions across all assigned hospital and clinic locations.
• Oversee the safe, efficient, and reliable operation, maintenance, and repair of all building systems, including HVAC, boilers, chillers, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, medical gas, utilities, and structural elements.
• Ensure all facilities and systems comply with applicable healthcare codes and regulations, including CMS, OSHA, NFPA Life Safety Code, Joint Commission (if applicable), state and local building codes, environmental regulations, and internal policies.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment uptime, extend asset life, and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Lead and support the Biomedical Engineering function to ensure that critical medical equipment is properly maintained, inspected, calibrated, and documented in accordance with regulatory and manufacturer requirements.
• Oversee hazardous materials and hazardous waste management programs, including storage, handling, transportation, and disposal, ensuring strict adherence to safety and environmental regulations.
• Serve as the organization’s subject matter expert and key contact for life safety systems, including fire alarms, fire suppression, emergency power, egress routes, fire doors, and related documentation and testing.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee minor construction, renovation, and repair projects in collaboration with internal stakeholders, architects, engineers, contractors, and the health network facilities council.
• Participate in capital planning and budgeting processes, helping to prioritize infrastructure upgrades, equipment replacements, and facility improvements based on risk, compliance, and strategic needs.
• Develop, manage, and monitor departmental operating and capital budgets; implement cost control strategies, optimize resource utilization, and track performance against financial targets.
• Lead, mentor, and develop plant operations managers, supervisors, and technical staff; establish clear expectations, goals, and accountability for performance, safety, and service quality.
• Foster a strong culture of safety, quality, and customer service within the department; ensure employees receive appropriate training on safety procedures, work practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate closely with nursing, clinical departments, infection prevention, environmental services, and other support areas to address facility needs, prioritize work requests, and coordinate projects with minimal disruption to patient care.
• Participate in or lead Environment of Care, Safety, and Emergency Management committees; support the development, implementation, and testing of emergency operations plans and utility failure response plans.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including work orders, maintenance logs, testing records, life safety drawings, risk assessments, and regulatory survey responses.
• Prepare for and actively participate in regulatory surveys, inspections, and audits; lead corrective action planning and follow-up to address findings and sustain compliance.
• Develop and maintain departmental policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that align with regulatory requirements and organizational standards.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to maintenance completion, response times, equipment uptime, regulatory readiness, and customer satisfaction; use data to drive continuous improvement.
• Evaluate and manage vendor relationships and service contracts for building systems, equipment maintenance, and specialized services; ensure high performance and value from external partners.
• Stay current with evolving codes, standards, technologies, and best practices in healthcare facilities management and incorporate relevant innovations into department operations.
• Serve as an on-call leader for plant emergencies, utility failures, severe weather events, and other time-sensitive situations requiring facilities expertise.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support organizational goals, special projects, and network-level initiatives.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Required

• In-depth knowledge of building systems and plant operations, including HVAC, boilers, chillers, electrical distribution, plumbing, medical gas, fire/life safety systems, and general building maintenance.
• Strong understanding of healthcare facility codes and regulatory requirements, such as CMS Conditions of Participation, OSHA regulations, NFPA Life Safety Code, and applicable state and local codes; familiarity with Joint Commission standards is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of hazardous materials and hazardous waste management, including safe handling, storage, labeling, recordkeeping, and disposal practices in a healthcare environment.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, blueprints, equipment manuals, life safety plans, and engineering specifications.
• Proficiency in maintenance management systems (e.g., CMMS) for work order management, preventive maintenance scheduling, and asset tracking.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including experience managing supervisors and technical staff, building high-performing teams, and fostering collaborative work environments.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, scheduling, resourcing, coordinating contractors, and delivering projects on time and within budget while maintaining compliance and safety.
• Effective financial management and business acumen, including budget development, cost analysis, forecasting, and implementation of cost-control measures.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with executives, clinical leaders, staff, vendors, regulators, and external partners.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple urgent and long-term demands in a complex, 24/7 healthcare environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on root-cause analysis, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.
• Comfortable making decisions under pressure, particularly in emergency or time-sensitive situations impacting patient safety or facility operations.
• Proficiency with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent) and basic familiarity with building automation systems (BAS), building management systems (BMS), and other facilities-related technology platforms.
• Commitment to safety, quality, regulatory readiness, and service excellence.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of cross-functional teams within the organization and broader health network.

Education / Professional Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in facilities management, plant operations, engineering, or a closely related field, preferably in a complex, 24/7 operation.
• Experience in a healthcare or hospital setting is strongly preferred; candidates with experience in similarly regulated environments (e.g., large campuses, industrial plants, or institutional facilities) will also be considered.
• Technical or college education in maintenance, building trades, engineering, facilities management, or a related field is preferred; an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of formal degree.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully leading teams, managing building systems, and overseeing compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Experience with capital planning, infrastructure assessment, and managing renovation or construction projects in occupied facilities is highly desirable.
• Prior responsibility for departmental budgeting, vendor management, and performance metrics is strongly preferred.

Licenses / Certifications

• Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) certification strongly desired; candidates without CHFM are expected to obtain certification within a defined timeframe after hire, with organizational support.
• Other relevant certifications such as Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM), Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), or equivalent are a plus.
• Valid driver’s license in good standing may be required for travel between sites or for organizational business.
• OSHA safety training, NFPA Life Safety Code training, or other relevant regulatory/safety coursework is preferred.



Additional Information

• Work Environment: This role is primarily performed onsite in a hospital and clinical facilities environment, which may include mechanical rooms, rooftops, confined spaces, and areas with exposure to noise, heat, and moving equipment. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used as required.
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand, walk, climb ladders, and navigate building and grounds areas as necessary to inspect equipment and facilities; may occasionally need to lift, carry, or move equipment or materials consistent with plant operations leadership duties.
• Schedule & On-Call: While the normal schedule is weekday business hours, this position requires flexibility to respond to emergencies, utility failures, weather events, and urgent facility issues during evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Visa Sponsorship: Employer does not offer visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent, full-time basis at the time of application.
• Relocation: Partial relocation assistance may be available for well-qualified candidates in accordance with organizational policy.
• Equal Opportunity: The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
• Confidential Search: This recruitment is being conducted on a confidential basis through a staffing partner; client name and additional details will be shared with qualified candidates during later stages of the recruiting process.
• How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume detailing relevant facilities/plant operations leadership experience, along with a brief summary of their experience with healthcare or similarly regulated environments and key building systems. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide professional references and verify credentials/certifications.