Position Overview:

As the third-largest county in the United States, serving over 4.7 million residents, Harris County’s facilities are the backbone of public service, justice, healthcare, and community support. The Assistant Director of Building Operations Services plays a pivotal role in ensuring these essential spaces operate safely and efficiently for both the public and more than 15,000 county employees.

From courthouses and healthcare clinics to community centers and law enforcement facilities, your leadership will directly influence the delivery of vital government services that millions rely on each day. We are seeking a visionary leader who is passionate about public service and dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the infrastructure that drives Harris County forward.

The Assistant Director of Building Operations Services, reporting to the County Engineer, plays a key role in managing division operations, including general administration, property management, and facility maintenance for over 150,143 county-owned and managed facilities, as well as 250 additional owned and supported facilities.

This position supports the Director in overseeing daily operations, driving performance improvements, and ensuring the efficient delivery of county projects. In the Director’s absence, the Assistant Director represents the division in engagements with senior county officials, elected representatives, and community leaders. They are responsible for ensuring projects are completed on time and within scope, tracking key performance metrics, and coordinating with other divisions to resolve cross-departmental challenges effectively.

Job Duties:

Provide leadership and direction for a large, multi-tiered team of professional and technical staff responsible for facility management across Harris County.
Ensure outstanding tenant service by responding promptly and professionally to tenant requests or issues, overseeing staff responses, and coordinating work orders with vendors and maintenance teams.
Oversee one or more divisions within Building Operations Services, including the operation, maintenance, and repair of building systems, equipment, and interiors, encompassing carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and painting services.
Manage and coordinate custodial services for county-occupied facilities, including general housekeeping, floor maintenance, recycling programs, and event/meeting setups.
Serve as a subject matter expert, providing strategic guidance on maintenance, climate control, system efficiencies, and operational improvements.
Oversee quality assurance, performance assessments, staff training, and communication strategies within the department.
Assist in developing, managing, and adhering to a multi-million-dollar department budget, collaborating with financial leadership to allocate, monitor, and report expenditures.
Foster relationships and maintain active communication with Harris County elected and appointed officials, their representatives, and key stakeholders.
Strengthen partnerships between Harris County personnel, contractors, and community constituents to enhance collaboration and service delivery.
Represent the Engineering Department and Harris County at industry events, forums, and community functions, both during and outside of business hours.
Identify opportunities to improve organizational efficiency, talent development, and change management, driving performance, productivity, and a positive workplace culture.
Implement targeted interventions to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness while aligning agency goals with operational priorities.
Assist in developing and executing the department's multi-year strategic plan in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
Directly oversee assigned programs and initiatives within the division.
Support Harris County’s disaster recovery efforts, assisting in preparation, mitigation, and rapid response to disaster events.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Requirements:

Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Engineering, Business, Real Estate Management, Property Development, or any related field.

Experience:

10 + years of progressive leadership experience in facilities management, vertical renovations, or construction.
At least 5 years overseeing large, multi-resource organizations with 100+ employees.
Proven ability to manage a portfolio of properties and projects valued in the hundreds of millions within Harris County.
Extensive experience in emergency and disaster response, ensuring rapid and effective facility operations during crises.
Expertise in modern building automation systems and sustainability initiatives, driving efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Knowledge, Skill & Abilities (KSAs):

Strong knowledge of leadership competencies with a proven ability to guide teams effectively.
Expertise in facilitating strategic planning for leadership teams and affiliated agencies.
Skilled in building business cases and presenting actionable, data-driven recommendations.
Culturally aware and adept at navigating diverse environments with professionalism.
Collaborative team player who fosters positive relationships with elected and appointed officials, professionals, peers, and stakeholders.
Exceptional interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to engage diplomatically with diverse groups.
In-depth knowledge of building codes, OSHA regulations, and ADA compliance requirements.
Experienced in budget forecasting and capital planning to ensure efficient resource allocation.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation, but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.

Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Emergency & Facility Operations Leadership

This role requires travel between facilities, with access to pool vehicles or mileage reimbursement.
As a key leader in Harris County’s emergency operations, the Assistant Director of Building Operations Services must be available 24/7 during crises, ensuring the safety and functionality of over 150 county-managed facilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts for County facilities.
Assess facility damage, oversee remediation, and coordinate with emergency agencies.
Make critical decisions on building closures, system operations, and emergency repairs.
Manage deployment of response teams and maintain emergency supply stockpiles.
Conduct regular preparedness drills and improve emergency response protocols.

Emergency Situations Managed:

Hurricanes, floods, and severe weather events.
Freezing conditions, power outages, and public health emergencies.
Security incidents and building system failures.
This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting to 25 lbs., frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Commitment:

During emergencies, extended hours, and on-site presence for days or weeks may be required until recovery is complete.

Salary:

Commensurate with experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Featured Benefits:

Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Wellness.

Professional development opportunity.

457 deferred compensation plans.

Retirement pension (TCDRS).

Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).

Disability and life insurance.

Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

building operations jobs

Assistant Director- Building Operation Services