Chief Maintenance Engineer

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for the overall condition and function of our unique historic hotel including the physical plant, maintenance of front and back of house areas including public areas, guest rooms, kitchen and restaurants. Major responsibility includes ensuring guests are satisfied with the hotel condition, responding to guest needs, ensuring safety and security of rooms, maintaining inventory and cost controls, selecting, training, maintaining and managing a motivated and skilled workforce. Must establish a friendly atmosphere of superior guest service and provide exemplary performance for staff to follow.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, implement and manage programs for the operations and maintenance of all equipment and physical structures in compliance with hotel standards, local, state and national codes and regulations to protect the assets, guests and employees, to ensure optimum operations, minimize expenses and achieve maximum customer satisfaction.
• Maintain a professional working relationship and promote open lines of communication with managers, employees and other departments.
• Delegate work requests to responsible Engineers on a daily basis, allowing for minimum inconvenience to other departments and guests. Respond to maintenance calls and guest requests as needed.
• Respond to all emergencies, ie: alarms, power outages, plumbing, weather emergencies, etc.; coordinate with utility companies, delegate work as necessary to staff. After hour and weekend emergencies must be responded to immediately.
• Define scope of a project, estimate cost, coordinate bidding, review submissions, and oversee the contractor to ensure quality work is performed and completed for minimal cost.
• Maintain maintenance and paint shops with necessary tools and supplies, in a neat and organized manner, order equipment, keep areas clean and organized at all times.
• Ensure that property and all equipment is maintained and in full compliance with OSHA and other regulatory standards. Coordinate preventative maintenance programs, manage audits and inspections, ensure compliance with all codes and regulations, and maintain accurate records to ensure a safe environment which protects hotel assets, guests and employees.
• Manage human resources to attract, retain and motivate the staff; hire, train, develop, empower, coach and counsel, conduct performance reviews, resolve problems, provide open communication vehicles, discipline and terminate, as appropriate.
• Oversee development, implementation and management of energy conservation programs to minimize expenses.
• Regular and timely attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Responsible for final approval of department payroll through time management system.
• May be called upon to supervise general contractors, subcontractors and project managers during renovation projects.
• May be called upon to consult on projects at other properties connected with La Fonda.
• Function as a key member of the hotel’s management team.
• Perform other jobs as needed and/or requested by management. 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
A feeling of ownership, high responsibility and stewardship of the hotel is required for this position. Requires advanced knowledge of construction, engineering, plumbing, physical plant management, and personnel management. May require considerable working knowledge of all major areas in the hotel and the skill to integrate and communicate that information. Requires analyzing activities, good organization and future planning. In-depth understanding of La Fonda’s infrastructure is essential. Must be creative and adaptable and may need to come up with unique solutions for this historic property. Must be comfortable with Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel programs and be Pool/Spa certified. Experience required by position is from four to five years of employment in a related position with this company or other organizations.

EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS USED:

• Hand tools, wrenches, saws, planes, pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, shovels, brooms, paint brushes, table saw, saws, vise, drill press, grinder, tile saw, electrical testers, computer for ordering supplies, internal and external communications, etc.
• Oil, grease, electrical wire, paint, wood, plaster, tile and other material used to accomplish work tasks.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work may be performed in hot, cramped, dirty areas. May be required to work odd hours, weekends or nights or overtime.  Work is performed with hazardous tools and materials. Safe work techniques must be used at all times.

ABILITY TO MEET PHYSICAL DEMANDS SUCH AS:

Occasional heavy lifting 45-60 lbs. ie: a bag of concrete weighs 80 lbs., 5 gal paint weighs 35-40 lbs.

Occasional pushing or pulling up to 80 lbs.

Standing or walking for extended periods of time, climbing ladders