Director of Operations and Safety

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Status: Full-time, Exempt, Year Round

Supervises: Lead Campus Supervisor, Lead Custodian, Custodian, Contractors

Salary: $130,000-$140,00 and $12,000 Temporary Cost of Living Allowance and MWA Benefits

Summary

The Director of Operations and Safety is responsible for the overall leadership and management of all campus operational functions, including safety and security, facilities maintenance, compliance, and vendor management. This role ensures a safe, secure, and comfortable learning environment by overseeing a high-performing operations team and collaborating with school leadership and cross-functional departments to address operational challenges. The Director develops and implements strategic plans, operational systems, and standard operating procedures to support the school's mission and vision. This position also partners with the landlord regarding building operations, and ensures compliance with all applicable codes, regulations, and standards. Most importantly, the Director provides consistent and effective leadership to their team which includes providing regular performance reviews, coaching, and professional learning opportunities. Additionally, they work with the team to develop and implement systemic approaches to team workflows, including goal setting, timelines, metrics, and feedback mechanisms.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and supervise a high-performing operations team, ensure a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Clearly communicate job duties, performance standards, and expectations. Offer timely and constructive feedback on performance, both positive and corrective.
• Conduct regular performance reviews. Identify and address performance problems promptly and fairly. Implement performance improvement plans when necessary.
• Ensure direct reports have the necessary tools, resources, and training to perform their jobs effectively. Provide guidance and coaching to help direct reports develop their skills and knowledge. Foster a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Ensure direct reports comply with company policies and procedures, and follow safety regulations.
• Oversee the work of outside contractors and vendors, ensuring quality and compliance with agreements.

Safety and Security

• Serve as the primary contact for alerts related to the facilities (burglar alarms, fire alarms, etc).
• Implement, evaluate and maintain comprehensive safety and security plans (CSSP) and systems, including emergency response protocols, building access control, alarm systems, and security camera monitoring. Collaborate with school administrators on Cal/OSHA’s IIPP and WVPP.
• Create/source and facilitate safety and security training.
• Oversee campus supervision staff to ensure a safe and well-monitored environment for all school-related activities and events.
• Drive collaboration between Campus Supervisors, Deans of Students, and other School Leaders, and community members to address unsafe student behaviors and ensure consistent incident responses.
• Identify and address security and safety hazards, and submit requests for deferred maintenance or capital improvement projects.
• Routinely audit campus systems for compliance, safety, and risk mitigation (ex: traffic flows, supervision of students, implementation of CSSP).
• Maintain inspection records, permits, construction documents, and internal facility audits.
• Create and oversee standard operating procedures for opening, operating, and closing the campus.

Facilities Management

• Partner with the landlord and the finance team to develop and implement short- and long-term facilities management strategies, ensuring cost-effective and efficient operations.
• In collaboration with the COO, develop and manage the school’s non-instructional budget.
  • Maintain a safe, clean and orderly facility by partnering with the landlord in various ways including but not limited to:Overseeing the ticketing system to provide timely and accurate resolutions.
  • Coordinating preventative maintenance and capital improvement projects.
  • Managing and troubleshooting the HVAC Energy Management System.
• Manage campus space allocations including space assignments, storage plan, and moves.
• Manage the campus access including gate/door schedules, keying system and master keying records.

Mission Alignment

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Making Waves Academy’s mission, core values, standards, competencies, and code of conduct outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Participate in the school community – attending school competitions, performances, assemblies, and extracurricular activities.

Work Environment

• This job operates in an indoor and outdoor school environment and routinely uses standard office equipment
• Light/local travel may be required on occasion

Physical Demands

• The employee may be required to sit, stand or walk for extended periods of time; lift and carry materials up to 30lbs.; reach overhead/bend; push/pull. Must possess the ability to use hands and fingers to operate computers, keyboards, etc.; must have the ability to view written materials, computer screens, and observe activities, ensuring students' safety; must hear and communicate clearly to interact with others. The employee should be able to move throughout the campus to effectively interact with students and staff.
• The employee will participate in campus supervision duty each week.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of progressively responsible work experience in facility management of which at least three years will have been in a supervisory capacity.
• General knowledge of all phases of facilities operation, maintenance, and custodial services. Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Emergency Management/Preparedness and Crisis Management experience desired.
• Experience working in K-12 settings is strongly desired.
• Must have a demonstrated attitude and record of service and concern for the wellbeing and safety of others.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, direct and control all aspects of campus facility operations services and activities. Ability to review and evaluate problems and to identify and implement creative solutions. Ability to administer security policies and activities; prepare and administer a budget. Ability to effectively organize and direct personnel during crisis or emergency situations.
• Exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills; ability to supervise, manage and evaluate staff; work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues, students, and others; ability to work with contractors and other representatives of trades. Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse cultural, socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds of others.
• Solid verbal communication and presentations skills.
• Flexible, adaptable, and proactive in responding to the needs of the school community. Ability to uphold and reinforce MWA policies and procedures.
• Highly organized, goal-oriented, and focused on outcomes. Ability to meet deadlines on a tight schedule.
• Professional orientation – appearance, communication, organization, and attitude.
• Proficiency in using data to drive decisions. Comfortable learning and using the digital tools MWA uses, G-Suite, facility management and/or ticketing software, and MS Office, and willing to try out new technologies and work tools.
• Strong leadership qualities and the desire to work collaboratively with staff to foster an environment of safety and excellence.
• Willingness to participate in professional learning to keep up-to-date in technical skills and changes in codes and regulations.

Licenses or Certificates

• Employment eligibility will include fingerprints, tuberculosis, COVID-19 vaccination, and/or other employment clearance
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain appropriate CPR and First Aid certificates, and Incident Command Certification

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