Associate Director of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing)

About the Associate Director of MEP (Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing)

In this role you will provide strategic and technical leadership for the Mechanical Electrical Plumbing and Elevator (MEP) operations that support campus-wide infrastructure. This role oversees multiple skilled trade shops ensures the reliability and performance of critical building systems and drives a culture of proactive maintenance operational excellence and datadriven decision-making. You will be responsible for the full lifecycle of campus assets from initial installation through preventive maintenance corrective repairs and long-term asset renewal.

A key function of this role is working through frontline supervisors to execute work develop staff capabilities and maintain high-performing systems across all facilities.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Leadership & Operational Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership for the Engineering Shop Electrical Plumbing and Elevator shops ensuring coordinated efficient and high-quality service delivery.
• Work through frontline supervisors to plan assign and complete work ensuring accountability communication and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Foster a culture of safety technical excellence and continuous improvement across all MEP functions.
• Ensure operational best practices are followed in organizational structure workflow design and work order management.
  

Technical Expertise & System Reliability

• Serve as the departments technical expert for diagnosing troubleshooting and resolving complex issues across MEP systems.
• Ensure all equipment and assets operate effectively through their expected life cycles applying industry standards and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Oversee compliance-related maintenance for systems such as elevators backflow prevention boilers and electrical distribution.
  

Preventive Maintenance & Program Development

• Build implement and manage comprehensive preventive maintenance (PM) programs for multiple trade shops.
• Use asset data manufacturer recommendations and operational history to optimize PM frequencies labor allocations and task design.
• Ensure PM programs are consistently executed documented and refined based on performance metrics and system needs.

Asset & Infrastructure Stewardship

• Manage the campus asset portfolio from inception through renewal including installation commissioning maintenance and end-of-life planning.
• Oversee infrastructure distribution systems to ensure reliability redundancy and long-term sustainability.
• Collaborate with Engineering Services Asset Renewal and Capital Project teams to align asset renewal strategies with campus growth and modernization.
  

CMMS & Data-Driven Operations

• Lead the effective use of the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to track labor materials asset history and work order performance.
• Ensure accurate data entry reporting and analysis to support operational decisions and resource planning.
• Develop workflows and standards that leverage CMMS capabilities to improve efficiency transparency and accountability.
  

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in Mechanical Electrical Plumbing and/or Elevator systems with strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
• Valid CA Drivers License with a minimum of 2 years driving experience. Position will be participating in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Notice System. A copy of DMV record will be required as a final condition of employment. For more information please visit the policy website.
• Demonstrated success managing skilled trades maintenance programs or technical operations in a complex facilities environment.
• Proven ability to build and manage preventive maintenance programs across multiple disciplines.
• Strong understanding of asset lifecycle management infrastructure distribution systems and renewal planning.
• Experience using CMMS platforms to manage work orders assets and operational workflows.
• Ability to lead through supervisors fostering teamwork communication and high performance.
• Excellent organizational analytical and communication skills.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in engineering facilities management or a related field.
• Certifications such as CEFP CFM FMP PMP or trade-specific licenses.
• Experience in higher education healthcare or similarly complex multi-building environments.
  

Competencies

• Technical Mastery: Deep understanding of MEP systems and their interdependencies.
• Leadership Through Others: Skilled at guiding supervisors and empowering frontline staff.
• Operational Excellence: Strong grasp of workflow design maintenance best practices and process improvement.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align daily operations with long-term asset and infrastructure goals.
• Data-Driven Management: Comfortable using CMMS data and analytics to inform decisions.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with internal partners contractors and stakeholders.

Salary Range:

The Salary range for this position is $138000 $143000. When extending an offer of employment the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position the candidates work experience education/training key skills internal peer equity federal state and local laws contractual stipulations grant funding as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at or by email at. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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