Plant Operations Director – Healthcare Facilities | Middlebury, VT | $106k–$160k

🏗️ 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.

Director of Plant Operations | Facilities Management | Mayfield, KY

Position: Director, Plant Operations

Location: Mayfield, KY (Required to report in person)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $74,000.00 - $84,802.00 per year
Signing Bonus: Negotiable
Relocation Package: None

Position Overview

The Director of Plant Operations is responsible for overseeing all aspects of maintenance operations within the facility, ensuring a safe, functional, and efficient environment. This role involves planning, coordinating, and supervising maintenance activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and managing facility upgrades and repairs to support the smooth operation of the hospital.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and Management:

• Supervise and manage the maintenance team, including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.

• Develop and implement maintenance policies, procedures, and schedules.

• Coordinate with other departments to ensure seamless operations and minimize disruptions.

• Facilities Maintenance:

• Oversee maintenance and repair of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems.

• Manage building systems including elevators, fire safety equipment, and emergency generators.

• Ensure upkeep of hospital grounds, parking facilities, and building aesthetics.

• Plan and execute preventive maintenance programs to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.

• Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including OSHA, Joint Commission, and NFPA standards.

• Prepare and participate in facility inspections and audits.

• Maintain accurate records of maintenance work, safety inspections, and compliance documentation.

• Budgeting and Planning:

• Develop and manage the department's budget, including forecasting costs for labor, materials, and capital improvements.

• Collaborate with leadership on long-term facility planning and major renovation projects.

• Evaluate vendor contracts and oversee outsourced maintenance services.

• Crisis Management:

• Respond promptly to facility emergencies, including equipment failures, power outages, or natural disasters.

• Develop and maintain emergency preparedness plans for facility operations.

Qualifications

Required:

• Associate’s degree in a related field, or at least 5 years of plant operations experience with 3 years in a leadership role (preferably in healthcare).

• Familiarity with healthcare-specific regulations and codes.

• Strong knowledge of building systems, construction, and maintenance practices.

• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Proficiency in maintenance management software and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Ability to work in a stressful environment and make critical decisions independently.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, or related field.

• Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM).

• OSHA or other safety certifications.

This position offers the opportunity to lead critical operations in a healthcare environment, ensuring the safe and efficient functioning of hospital facilities. If you have a strong background in facilities management and are ready to take on a leadership role, this could be the right fit for you.