🏗️ Plant Operations Director
📍 Location: Middlebury, Vermont (Onsite)
🏥 Industry: Healthcare / Facilities Management
🎓 Education: Technical or College Education in Building Trades Preferred
💼 Experience Level: Mid-Level Leadership (5+ Years Facilities Leadership)
💰 Compensation: $106,000 – $160,000 base salary + benefits
🚫 Visa Sponsorship: Not available
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Partial
🕓 Employment Type: Full-Time | Onsite
🌟 The Opportunity
An excellent opportunity has opened for a Plant Operations Director to lead the Facilities, Maintenance, and Environmental Safety functions for a respected healthcare organization in Middlebury, Vermont.
This role offers a chance to make a lasting impact by ensuring that all hospital and clinic facilities are maintained to the highest standards of safety, functionality, and compliance. The successful candidate will oversee building maintenance, biomedical systems, and hazardous waste management while fostering collaboration across departments and within the wider health network.
If you’re an experienced facilities leader with strong technical knowledge, a strategic mindset, and the ability to drive operational excellence in a healthcare environment, this role offers both challenge and reward.
🧭 Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Oversight: Lead and direct Plant Operations, Maintenance, Biomed, and Hazardous Waste functions across multiple healthcare facilities.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all buildings and systems comply with CMS, OSHA, Life Safety Code, and other healthcare regulatory standards.
Facilities Management: Oversee maintenance of physical structures, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, utility, and mechanical systems to ensure operational reliability.
Safety & Risk Management: Maintain a proactive safety culture, ensuring that hazardous materials, waste disposal, and life safety systems meet strict compliance guidelines.
Team Development: Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for Plant Operations managers and technical staff.
Strategic Collaboration: Partner with hospital leadership and the broader UVM Health Network Facilities Council to align facilities operations with organizational goals.
Project Coordination: Collaborate across departments to plan and execute renovation, repair, and maintenance projects efficiently and safely.
Financial Stewardship: Implement effective cost controls, manage budgets, and support capital improvement initiatives.
🩺 Qualifications & Requirements
✅ Experience: Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in facilities or plant operations management.
✅ Technical Knowledge:
Hands-on understanding of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, boilers, and hazardous material management.
Strong working knowledge of safety regulations and healthcare facility codes.
✅ Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage projects, and operate effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.
✅ Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Skilled in business strategy implementation, cost control, and productivity optimization.
✅ Education:Technical or college education in maintenance, building trades, or engineering preferred.
CHFM certification (Certified Healthcare Facility Manager) strongly desired.
✅ Healthcare Experience: Prior experience in a healthcare or hospital setting preferred but not required.
💡 Desired Attributes
⭐ Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
⭐ Strong ability to prioritize multiple demands in a complex operational environment.
⭐ Committed to maintaining safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
⭐ Skilled collaborator who thrives in both leadership and hands-on roles.
💎 Compensation & Benefits
💵 Base Salary: $106,000 – $160,000 (commensurate with experience)
💎 Comprehensive Benefits Include:
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Retirement plan with employer contributions
Life and Disability Insurance
Paid Time Off (PTO) and holiday schedule
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Tuition Reimbursement & Education Support
Employee Discounts & Referral Programs
Pet Insurance and On-site food service options
🏞️ About the Community
Middlebury, Vermont offers a unique blend of small-town charm, outdoor adventure, and cultural vitality. Home to Middlebury College, the area features arts, dining, and recreational activities year-round — from hiking and skiing to local theater and festivals. It’s an ideal setting for those seeking professional challenge and a fulfilling lifestyle in one of New England’s most scenic communities.
🧩 Candidate Snapshot
Role: Plant Operations Director
Experience: 5+ years in Facilities or Plant Leadership
Education: Technical or College-level Building Trades background preferred
Certifications: CHFM desirable
Industry: Healthcare / Facilities Management
Work Environment: Onsite, full-time
Salary Range: $106,000 – $160,000
🚀 Ready to lead facilities operations that make a real difference in healthcare?
Join a mission-driven team dedicated to maintaining safe, efficient, and high-performing hospital environments that support exceptional patient care.