Job Summary:
The primary responsibilities of this position are to direct the operations of the Engineering Division and to serve and oversee the management of major capital projects. The incumbent is responsible for operational and budget planning, execution of program and project budgets, organizing, staffing, and directing all functions and aspects of a responsive Maintenance, EVS, Safety and Security, Project Management and Dietary program. Incumbent is responsible for the management of assigned personnel and material resources to ensure that all CIHA properties are maintained in a high state of repair, safety and cleanliness. Primary duties consist of being responsible for planning and directing the accomplishment of Division and CIHA objectives. Incumbent will perform complex analytical, regulatory, and budgetary work in providing direct project management oversight of all capital construction and repair projects including construction of new facilities to meet long term CIHA and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) goals and objectives. In order to achieve world-class patient care and to foster health and healing for all internal and external customers, this position must adhere to the Cherokee Indian Hospital values and guiding principles. The Director has sole responsibility for CIHA's built environment which includes nine separate facilities, totaling over 400,000 square feet.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
• Work with CIHA Executives and Governing Board to complete CIHA organizational objectives and provide project management and long-term project planning.
• Directly manages and provides leadership for all Division departments and staff.
• Leads the development, review, implementation, and monitoring of departmental and specific hospital wide policies and programs regarding project planning, repairs and maintenance, environment of care, life safety, emergency management, safety, compliance and other applicable areas to maintain compliance with existing and new state and federal regulations, and accrediting agencies such as the Joint Commission.
• Directs the negotiation of contracts and also prepare the company's budget, bids, and contracts.
• Sets goals in the confines of the organization with the aid of management.
• Consults or negotiates with clients to make arrangements of resources required for a project.
• Develop and implement policies, standards, and procedures for the engineering and technical work performed in the organization
• Direct and determine appropriate staffing levels and skill mix with managers, and initiates recruitment efforts on a timely basis.
• Performs administrative functions such as evaluating and writing reports, approving expenditures concerning projects.
• Determines qualifications and competencies, works with management on selection of staff.
• Responsible for recruiting qualified employees to whom they assign and designate tasks in an organization and also inspect the development and maintenance of staff abilities and suitability.
• Develops and coordinates the measurement of internal compliance through data collection, tracking/trending, analysis, and monitoring. Presents findings and recommendations for improvement to senior leadership and governing board.
• Provides long term planning and budgeting for the Division.
• Carries out the implementation of the CIHA Strategic Plan for the Division.
• Communicates organizational and EBCI goals and objectives to the appropriate departments within the division.
• Completes request for qualifications/proposals and other bid documents to solicit work from outside contractors and providers.
• Oversees contractors and staff to ensure completion of work per CIHA satisfaction.
• Direct, evaluate, and confirm product design and changes.
• Collects hospital wide information concerning the division and recommend opportunities for improvement. Prepares summaries and findings of recommendations, actions implemented and performance improvement outcomes.
• Issues oral and written directives, complete performance appraisals, appeals, reprimands and other important HR functions, and oversee the overall operation of the division.
• Utilizes best practice engineering methods to provide expert technical guidance for engineering initiatives.
• Incorporates all functions related to safety testing, repair, and maintenance of all equipment used in an organization.
• Ensures compliance with Health Department, OSHA, and other regulatory agency requirements.
• Provides training and technical leadership to appropriate personnel regarding equipment operations, standards, and maintenance.
• Ensures employees work together when needed to fulfill production objectives, thereby making the director a person who can work and organize things in an organization with teams.
• Coordinates and directs project plans, making sure that the plans are followed-up in details so as to accomplish the desired objectives.
• Provides executive leadership, planning and execution of initiatives for severe weather and emergency operations, including assessment of road conditions, infrastructure impacts, employee and patient safety risks, and continuity of operations. Serves as the primary advisor to senior leadership regarding delayed openings, weather-related closures, emergency staffing contingencies, and facility readiness, ensuring decisions are aligned with safety, regulatory, and operational requirements.
• Maintain a high level of understanding and expertise in a variety of health care environments including Long Term Care/Skilled nursing, Behavioral Health, Recovery Center, Housing, Institutional, Outpatient Clinic/Immediate Care, Emergency Services, and others.
Safety and Security Department:
• Works with the Manager and department to oversee the Safety of the organization.
• Responsible for ensuring physical security staffing is adequate to meet the current threat levels to ensure staff and visitor safety.
• Has final approval and oversight on CIHA security systems including security cameras, access control systems including electronic locking systems and all other security equipment.
• Provides direction and long-term planning on environment of care, life safety, emergency management, and safety compliance.
• Assists in designing programs for the education of hospital and staff in loss prevention, general safety, and applicable state, federal and local laws, including NFPA, Fire Safety, OSHA and other regulatory standards related to environmental safety.
• Ensures regulations are met to obtain and maintain accreditation from CMS and the Joint Commission, MAT regulatory agencies, and others as needed.
• Responsible for coordinating those systems necessary for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the hospitals continued compliance with regulatory standards outlined by federal, state and local statutes.
• Establishes a process to understand and stay current regarding applicable state and national standards for emergency preparedness, including the National Response Framework and the Hospital Preparedness Program.
• Oversees department compliance with incident management, incident reporting, and compliance with law enforcement directives, subpoenas, and other valid requests as required.
Maintenance Department:
• Works with the Manager and department to oversee that all CIHA facilities are maintained at a high level or repair and cleanliness.
• Develops and budgets for long term capital needs for maintaining CIHA facilities.
• Oversees the control of life safety systems, keying, disaster preparedness, and other important departmental functions.
• Provides direction and project management for capital improvement/construction projects performed in house.
• Ensures a high level of workmanship by maintenance and grounds keeping staff to ensure the highest-level patient experience.
• Inform maintenance staff of changing regulatory requirements and ensure compliance.
• Ensures facility compliance with CMS and Joint Commission regulations.
• Manages the energy program and tracks utility expenditures and monitors opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Maintains asset control, compliance, and inventory.
• Maintains a work order system, and oversees completion of staff requests to ensure a world class patient environment.
• Oversees the Grounds staff and maintains landscaping, parking areas, trash removal, signage, and other exterior features at all CIHA properties to ensure a welcoming and beautiful patient experience, a safe environment for employees and visitors, and an environment in harmony with values of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Also responsible for snow removal, transport of essential employee to CIHA facilities during inclement weather events and informing leadership of current conditions to inform changes in facility access or operating hour for patient safety.
• Responsible for management of CIHA's vehicle fleet to ensure safe, reliable vehicles are available to meet the needs and strategic goals of the organization.
EVS Department:
• Works with the Manager and department to oversee that all CIHA facilities are cleaned to a high level to provide a safe environment for staff and patients.
• Ensures compliance with CIHA, CMS, and Joint Commission infection control standards.
• Develops and budgets for long term capital needs for maintaining CIHA facilities
• Works with all applicable departments to make sure EVS provides all the required services necessary in the best manner possible.
• Manages staffing levels, proficiencies, and schedules to ensure 24-7 coverage of EVS needs.
• Stays abreast of chemical and cleaning product needs, regulations and inventory.
• Maintains Safety Data Sheet (SDS) inventory and education requirements for staff safety.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements in the EVS sector.
• Establish a robust Certified Healthcare Environmental Service Technician (CHEST) program.
Dietary Department:
• Works with the Manager and department to oversee that the program meets all regulatory, nutritional, and organizational requirements.
• Develops and budgets for dietary needs including operating costs, and capital needs.
• Monitors food costs, and revenue to ensure budget compliance.
• Ensures a high level of workmanship and food preparation by dietary staff to ensure the highest-level patient experience.
• Provide a high-quality, low-cost cafeteria to employees to make CIHA the employer of choice in the region.
• Work with nutritionist to ensure complex dietary needs of patients are met through menu development, staff training, and inventory/product management.
• Monitor and respond to employee and patient feedback to make CIHA a world class healthcare facility.
• Work with the CIHA Employee Association, CIHA Hospital Foundation, Conference space users, and CIHA Departments to provide catering services to elevate the experience of employees and guests during meetings, events, and other special functions.
Project Management:
• Complete bidding documents such as request for qualifications (RFQ), request for proposals (RFP), and others to select outside firms/contracts for completion of work on CIHA properties.
• Serve as the primary project manager for the CIHA on all major capital projects. Including functioning as the primary communication between internal and external project teams and CIHA executive leadership and CIHA governing board.
• Complete projection negotiations, contracts, and project oversight.
• Establish/estimate, present and advocate for approval, and oversee complex project budgets. This includes working with EBCI leadership on major capital projects.
• Ensures a high level of workmanship by outside contractors to ensure the highest-level patient experience.
• Be able to mediate and find resolution for any contractor or sub contract conflicts.
• Be informed of current TERO regulations and requirements.
• Be able to read construction documents, specifications, and other project related building documents.
• Have the tact and knowledge to communicate with CIHA public relations and outside press agencies on project updates.
• Stay aware of changing regulatory requirements, ensure compliance, and maintain relationships with outside agencies for project review and approval.
• Ensure projects are completed with minimal disruption to the patient experience while maintaining a high-level safety.
• Ensure project compliance with all the needs of infection control, environment of care, and life safety requirements and regulations.
Education / Minimum Qualifications:
• A Master's degree from an accredited university in: Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Construction Management or closely related field is required.
• Must have experience with Regulatory compliance including healthcare accreditation standards, codes, and regulations
• A minimum of 10 years of experience, three of which must be at the manager level or above is required.
• Must have experience with large capital projects in excess of $1,000,000.00.
• Must have senior leadership experience with demonstrated experience managing: finance, human capital, operations and strategy.
• Master's degree and experience in a healthcare setting preferred.
Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Thorough knowledge of healthcare facilities management, including environment of care, life safety, emergency preparedness, infrastructure reliability, strategic facility planning, , and improvement planning and execution,.
• Demonstrated experience in capital planning, financial stewardship, and project management with the ability to develop long-range master plans, evaluate infrastructure investment priorities, prepare capital budgets, and oversee complex construction, renovation, and modernization projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, governing board members, physicians, employees, regulatory agencies, consultants, other governmental agency representatives, and Tribal representatives; ability to conduct necessary engineering research and compile data-driven comprehensive reports .
• Strong analytical and decision-ma
