Job Details

Chief Engineer


Campus: District Office

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Schedule: 70

Grade: II

Bargaining Unit: AFSCME

Months Per Year: 12

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Campus Security Authority: No

The Chief Engineer performs foreman-level maintenance work with responsibility for oversight of college campus engineering operations. The work requires comprehensive technical knowledge of college campus building and infrastructure systems including structural, building envelope, wall/floor/ceiling, electrical, telecom/datacom, mechanical, plumbing, access controls, life safety, and vertical transportation. Public contact is extensive, primarily involving department and outside staff, vendors, and contractors for the purpose of exchanging information pertaining to project assessment, procedures, materials, and timelines. A high degree of independent judgment and creativity is required to follow and modify standard, prescribed trade techniques to troubleshoot, complete given assignments, plan, schedule, and monitor the work of staff, and to resolve minor and some major problems that arise. Consequences of errors in judgment can be costly in materials, public relations, and in employee time.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties below are representative of the duties of the classification and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed by the incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.

1. Directs and manages the workloads and schedules of senior maintenance engineers, maintenance engineers, and utility engineers, including assessing their skills, abilities, safe work practices, and identifying their training needs
2. Assists in developing and delivering appropriate training programs
3. Fosters teamwork and camaraderie toward common goals, while working alongside engineers in a leadership role
4. Assists the campus facilities manager in evaluating the performance of staff
5. Performs routine maintenance and repair of facilities, including responding to trouble calls and emergencies
6. Oversees the maintenance and repair of facilities by staff and vendors
7. Inspects facilities for performance verification and quality control
8. Exchanges information with management staff about operations and special projects
9. Participates in minor remodeling of facilities by estimating labor, material, and equipment requirements and coordinating staff to perform the work and participating in doing the work
10. Coordinates approved vendors/contractors
11. Coordinates workloads with grounds and custodial staff and provides leadership to campus engineering and other facilities staff
12. Ensures integrity of maintenance supplies and equipment inventory
13. Exchanges information with administrators, management, and other staff on engineering operations and special projects
14. Ensures facility compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and standard operating procedures
15. Reviews blueprints for new construction and remodeling for compliance with standard operating procedures, materials, finishes, and potential conflicts
16. Coordinates work effort of other staff to ensure prompt accomplishment of projects
17. Assists in the preparation and management of the engineering discretionary budget
18. Uses a computer and computer software to communicate with constituents, document procedures, protocols, and other relevant communication
19. Enters, modifies, and retrieves data related to maintenance schedules, equipment and supply usage and inventory, and other data; tracks expenses, estimates special projects, creates schedules, and obtains information
20. Performs other related duties as assigned

Employment Standards (acquired through education, training, and/or experience)

Knowledge of:

1. Materials, equipment, tools, and terminology used in building maintenance work
2. Building and infrastructure systems, including: structural, building envelope, roofing, building monitoring, control, access controls, life safety, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, telecom/datacom, interior floor/wall/ceiling, and vertical transportation systems
3. Basic electrical, carpentry, welding, and mechanical principles and procedures
4. Computer applications including Word, Excel, Access, Project, PowerPoint, Outlook, AutoCAD, and the internet

Skill in:

1. Exceptional organizational and communication skills and attention to detail
2. Managing discretionary budgets
3. Handling emergency situations
4. Understanding and giving verbal and written instructions and directions
5. Assessing engineering staff abilities, organizing workloads and schedules
6. Communicating respectfully and effectively with people at various levels within and outside of the organization who are diverse in their academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+backgrounds
7. Reading and comprehending complex instructions, blueprints and directions, and Material Safety Data Sheets
8. Assessing completed work for standard of quality

Ability to:

1. Exercise caution and ensure compliance with all mandated CAL/OSHA safety provisions in the course of work
2. Oversee the maintenance engineering operations of a college campus
3. Perform heavy labor
4. Perform routine technical functions in the repair and maintenance of college campus buildings and infrastructure systems
5. Work independently under minimum supervision and prioritize jobs
6. Use required tools and equipment skillfully and safely
7. Keep/maintain work records in an organized manner
8. Follow instructions
9. Obtain a forklift certification

Job Requirements:

• Graduation from high school and completion of a recognized journeyman program in building maintenance or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Successful experience of increasing responsibility in a complex facilities environment that has included work with a variety of building and infrastructure systems, tools, and vehicle and equipment installation, maintenance, and repair
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff
• Skill in training and directing the work of others
• Skill in budget management
• Skill in the use of a variety of software to prepare spreadsheets, correspondence, and other written materials
• Demonstrated skill in reading, comprehending, and following complex oral and written instructions
• Successful completion of coursework, a seminar, or workshop on supervision or management from an acceptable institution within six months of assuming position
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License (or the ability to obtain one) and the ability to drive a motor vehicle on campus and to off-campus locations
• Possession of a forklift certification or successful completion of a forklift certification course within six months of assuming position

Additional Information:
Physical/Other Requirements

This classification requires sustained physical activity indoors and outdoors with exposure to climate changes, chemicals, odors and fumes; bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing ladders and stairs; working on elevated platforms; pushing, pulling, moving moderate to heavy objects; visual comparison; reading and comprehending written and oral instructions and directions; attention to detail; flexibility; adaptability; manual dexterity; operating electrical and mechanical equipment; good memory; standing for long periods; walking; ability to sit at a workstation and use a computer for periods of time while performing office-related functions; interacting with individuals and small groups; demonstrated skill in reading and comprehending complex instructions; possession of a valid California Driver's License and the ability to safely drive a motor vehicle in the performance of assigned tasks, in order to perform the essential functions.

Benefits: Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Classified employees participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California. Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.

EEO Statement: San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and Section 504 employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to employ individuals who reflect our community's diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities.

Our EEO Plan, grounded in Title 5 regulations, is developed and monitored by an EEO Advisory Committee, reviewed at least every three years, and supported by regular training for all members of selection and screening committees. We collect and analyze recruitment and retention data to measure progress and identify barriers.

Annual Security Report

San Mateo County Community College District's (SMCCCD) 2025 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2022-2024) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2025 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every community member remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2025 Annual Security Report is now available on the Public Safety website. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses (650) 738-7000. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.


Closes: 08/12/2026

To apply, visit http://smccd.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=202908