Washington State University

Operations Manager

Washington State University$65K — $100K *
Real Estate & Construction
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant field and four years of progressive experience, including one year of supervisory experience.
  • Experience in planning and executing maintenance and construction activities.
  • Ability to travel and work evenings/weekends as needed.
  • Valid driver's license required, meeting departmental standards.
  • Must obtain Master Electrician or Electrical Administrator license and other certifications within 24 months of hire.

Responsibilities

  • Lead multi-trade teams in a dynamic shop environment.
  • Take ownership of projects from initiation to execution, ensuring integration of multiple trades.
  • Develop team capabilities by fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
  • Manage project budgets and timelines accurately to deliver results on scope.
  • Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards across all operations.

Benefits

  • Paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, life, and disability insurance for employees and dependents.
  • Retirement plans and deferred compensation options.
  • Training and development opportunities available.
  • Employee tuition waiver for academic classes offered on campus.
Full Job Description
Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
June 17, 2026
If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):
1162-NN_ADMINPRO - Manager, 1162-YN_ADMINPRO - Manager

Business Title:
Operations Manager

Employee Type:
Admin. Professional

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

As an Operations Manager, you will be the driving force behind a dynamic, multi-trade shop. You'll lead and inspire teams across diverse specialties, such as maintenance, controls, electrical life safety, refrigeration, and plumbing, ensuring seamless collaboration and exceptional results.

In this role, you will:
  • Take ownership of projects from start to finish, integrating and coordinating multiple trades throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Lead and develop your team, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
  • Manage budgets and expenses with precision, keeping projects on track and within scope.
  • Oversee timelines and deliverables, ensuring every detail meets quality and safety standards.
  • Champion compliance and safety, making sure your team operates at the highest level of responsibility.


If you thrive on leadership, problem-solving, and creating efficient systems that deliver outstanding results, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time (100% FTE), permanent position. Overtime eligibilitywill be determined by final salary placement.

Monthly Salary: $5,485.73 - $8,400 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:
  • A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in a field related to the functional managerial area which has included at least one (1) year of supervisory experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
  • Demonstrated full-time experience planning, supervising and executing maintenance and construction activities.
  • Ability to travel and work evenings/weekends.
  • Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver's license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.


Able to obtain within 24 months of hire:
  • Master Electrician or Electrical Administrator license it the State of Washington.
  • Fire Alarm Systems Level II.
  • Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems Level II.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • WSU experience with knowledge of building systems.
  • Experience as a construction project manager.
  • Three years full-time experience as a journey trades worker, at least one year must include lead or supervisor experience.
  • Additional licenses or certification in any trade field.


About Facilities Services (WSU Pullman):

Facilities Services' primary mission is the stewardship, maintenance, and operations of the campus buildings, grounds, and utilities on the Pullman campus. We aspire to be the service provider of choice and the employer of choice. We believe in developing solutions of lasting value through robust dialogue and collaboration with our campus partners and industry. Our staff of skilled trades-people, custodians, architects, engineers, interior designers, and support staff strive to demonstrate our commitment to integrity and professionalism.

Working at WSU:

As one of the nation's top public research institutions, Washington State University (WSU) conducts research that improves the lives of people in Washington, the United States, and across the globe. When you make the choice to join WSU, you are joining a community committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others. You will join a team of faculty and staff dedicated to bringing the world the next generation of innovators, leaders, health care providers, and citizens.

The university offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to meet the diverse needs of its employees including health care and dental care options, retirement plans, long-term disability insurance, paid time off, professional development and a host of work/life quality programs. In addition, eligible employees may apply for a tuition waiver for many academic classes offered on campus. For more information about the benefits and programs available to WSU employees, follow Employee Types and Benefits.

Department Name: Facilities Services, Operations
City, State Zip: Pullman, WA 99164

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the "Application Document" section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the "Resume/Cover Letter" section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:
Full time

Position Term:
12 Month

About Washington State University

Washington State University is a public land-grant research university with its flagship, and oldest, campus in Pullman, Washington. Founded in 1890, WSU is also one of the oldest land-grant universities in the American West. With an undergraduate enrollment of 24,278 and a total enrollment of 28,581, it is the second largest institution for higher education in Washington state behind the University of Washington. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". The WSU Pullman campus stands on a hill and is characterized by open spaces and a red brick and basalt material palette—materials originally found on site. The university sits within the rolling topography of the Palouse in rural eastern Washington and remains closely connected to the town and the region. The university also operates campuses across Washington at WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities, and WSU Vancouver, all founded in 1989. In 2012, WSU launched an Internet-based Global Campus, which includes its online degree program, WSU Online. In 2015, WSU expanded to a sixth campus at WSU Everett. These campuses award primarily bachelor's and master's degrees. Freshmen and sophomores were first admitted to the Vancouver campus in 2006 and to the Tri-Cities campus in 2007. WSU's athletic teams are called the Cougars and the school colors are crimson and gray. Six men's and nine women's varsity teams compete in NCAA Division I in the Pac-12 Conference. Both men's and women's indoor track teams compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
Learn more about Washington State University

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