Prisons Operations & Maintenance Project Manager

State of Washington$109K — $120K *
Real Estate & Construction
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8 years in facilities management or maintenance operations in state-owned or correctional facilities.
  • 3 years of supervisory experience managing teams across multiple locations.
  • Extensive knowledge of institutional facility systems, including safety and mechanical operations.
  • Experience overseeing large-scale maintenance projects requiring advanced oversight.
  • Strong understanding of state and federal regulations related to corrections facilities.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise and coordinate complex construction projects for statewide prison facilities.
  • Direct vendor and staff operations from project design to completion.
  • Ensure compliance with policies affecting maintenance and contracting.
  • Recruit project team members and support facility maintenance staff.
  • Assist in managing security systems and preventative maintenance programs.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision.
  • Remote/telework/flexible scheduling options available for some positions.
  • Up to 25 paid vacation days per year.
  • 8 hours of paid sick leave earned monthly.
  • 11 paid holidays each year.
  • Generous retirement plan and flexible spending accounts.
  • Dependent care assistance and deferred compensation options.
Full Job Description
Salary: $9,129.00 - $10,032.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Corrections
Opening Date: 07/28/2026
Closing Date: 8/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Prisons Operations & Maintenance Project Manager

Full-Time - Permanent - WMS Teamsters

$9,129-$10,032 - Monthly

Washington Management Services (WMS) Band 2

Position #DC16

Tumwater, WA

The Prison Operations and Maintenance Project Manager has statewide responsibility for delivery of maintenance projects at DOC prisons. This position ensures operations and maintenance projects at DOC facilities conform to federal, state, and local codes and ordinances. This position reports to the Director of Prison Maintenance and Operations regarding the delivery of operations and maintenance projects to build and preserve safe and humane corrections facilities. This position is assigned to various facilities in order to provide support for projects of significant complexity, which may exceed the capabilities of the individual facility.

In order to determine the best strategic course of action, this position will analyze operational and maintenance projects from conception to design, procurement of materials, acquisition of building permits, supervision of incarcerated and staff crews through project completion, including recruiting maintenance personnel from throughout the state who possess the necessary skill sets to complete the project.

HOW TO APPLY
Complete the online application accessible via the 'Apply' button located at the top right corner of this posting and attach the following required documents:
  1. Cover letter regarding your interest in this position.
  2. Detailed chronologicalresume. Your resume will not substitute for the 'Work Experience' section of the online application.
  3. Include at least three professional-level references with valid phone number and email for each.
For more information or questions about this opportunity, please email Alaina Olson at [email protected] or call 360-974-9706.
Duties

Supervise and Coordinate Complex Construction Projects for the statewide Prison and Operations Maintenance program.
Tasks include:
  • Directs and supervises complex projects, including selecting, supervising, and directing vendors and facility maintenance staff in completion of projects from design to completion.
  • Provide supervision of operations and maintenance projects at assigned state owned facilities statewide.
  • Ensure the compliance of statewide policies and procedures that affect contracting and management of operations and maintenance projects.
  • Provide support and training to facility maintenance staff.
  • Recruit project team members as needed to ensure timely delivery of funded projects.
  • Support Prisons facilities plant managers and maintenance departments in managing and planning facilities preservation.
  • Maintain awareness of new trends and developments in Prisons facilities maintenance, building/equipment operation, construction, energy efficiency and staff safety.
Support Administrative Management for Prisons Facilities Maintenance and Operations.
Tasks include:
  • Provide senior level oversight of maintenance and operations projects for nine operational prison facilities and two warm closed prisons.
  • Provide direction to and support prison facilities in managing security electronics systems, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, building automation systems, carpentry, grounds, and custodial services.
  • Support division-wide preventative maintenance programs.
  • Serve as a lead subject matter expert and strategist for maintenance, building/equipment operation, and asset preservation for the Men's Prisons Division.
  • Provide subject-matter expertise to prisons leadership, Prison Maintenance and Operations program, Capital Programs, and Budget regarding maintenance and operations programs and the resources necessary to manage humane correctional facilities, protect lives and provide safe communities.
  • Lead and coordinate with staff and contractors related to buildings/equipment emergencies and unplanned repairs and projects.
  • Assist with the coordination of emergency purchases, repair, and/or replacements.
  • Assist Plant Managers during emergencies to minimize facility damage and impacts to incarcerated individuals and personnel.
  • Help manage and resolve issues that rise beyond the capability of the facilities to resolve on their own.
  • Support development and implementation of agency goals, objectives, policies, and priorities related to Prisons facilities maintenance and facility operations.
  • Provide assistance in the development and management of Prisons facilities maintenance agreements.
  • Provide recommendations for facilities maintenance department staffing, equipment, and supplies.
  • Verify invoices for processing vendor payments.
  • Coordinate and participate in design and review and in resolving problems on assigned projects.
  • Perform and/or supervise the performance of quality assurance efforts, constructability checks, and lifecycle cost analysis.
  • Ensures compliance with plans, specifications, and warranties.
  • Resolve contractor disputes.
  • Coordinate project close out.
  • Provide regular and detailed reports to the Director of Operations and Maintenance regarding the status of all ongoing operations and maintenance projects statewide.

Qualifications

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:
Eight (8) years of professional experience in facilities management, special projects and maintenance operations within state owned and correctional or medical facilities. This must include at least five (3) years in a supervisory capacity overseeing diverse projects or maintenance programs in a 24/7 complex facility.
• Leadership & Management: Proven experience in supervision, specifically managing subordinate leaders (experience supervising Maintenance Mechanics/Maintenance workers) across multiple geographically dispersed locations.
• Technical Expertise: Comprehensive operational knowledge of institutional facility systems, including life safety, sanitation, and electrical/mechanical systems within a 24-hour environment or correctional or medical facility.
• Project Oversight: Demonstrated experience overseeing large-scale projects or facility maintenance programs requiring advanced technical oversight.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of state and federal regulations, including ACA standards, PREA, and state building codes, with a proven ability to ensure division-wide compliance.
"A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field may substitute for four (4) years of the required general experience."

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
A Bachelors degree in relevant fields from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Dept of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Supplemental Information

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. *A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates. Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

-Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

-Employees may work directly with or in close proximity to incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.

-We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.

-Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.

-Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.

-Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment may also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.

-This position may be represented by a Union Shop.
-DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit .

We are committed to hiring individuals who possess core diversity competencies: -Foster a positive attitude and openness toward the ever changing social and cultural makeup of the workplace.-Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.-Respectfully acknowledge people's differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.-Promote inclusiveness.-Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.-Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.

What we offer:

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:
  • Remote/telework/flexible schedules (dependent on position)
  • Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
  • 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
  • 11 paid holidays a year
  • Generous retirement plan
  • Flex Spending Accounts
  • Dependent Care Assistance
  • Deferred Compensation and so much more!

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