Facilities & Infrastructure Manager

The East Foundation is looking to fill an open position based out of the historic 150,000-acre San Antonio Viejo Ranch, 45 minutes south of Hebbronville, Texas. The primary focus of this position is to manage, develop, and enhance foundation facilities and infrastructure in support of our science and education programs and ranching operations. Responsibilities will extend across all 217,000 acres of East Foundation properties throughout South Texas.

The East Foundation is a results-oriented organization with opportunities for advancement and professional development. Specific duties and responsibilities of this position will be adjusted to fit the skills and experience of the best applicant. However, the ideal candidate should be highly motivated, possess a strong work ethic, and be willing to go the extra mile to get the job done, as assigned duties may require occasional long hours and weekends. This position offers the opportunity to work independently with the latitude to make day-to-day decisions to solve problems. The desired applicant should be trustworthy and a person of high integrity due to the amount of independent work required.
This position is full-time, salaried with benefits that include insurance (health, dental, and vision), retirement, and a generous vacation and sick leave policy.

Department: Field Services

Reports To: Director of Land and Fixed Assets with strategic input from Chief Operating Officer.

Job Summary:

The Facilities and Infrastructure Manager at East Foundation is responsible for the maintenance, operation, and enhancement of foundation facilities and infrastructure across all south Texas locations. This role ensures that buildings and grounds are maintained and prepared to support the foundation’s daily operations and programmatic priorities, including education, research, and ranching activities. The manager will also provide site direction for projects to improve and expand infrastructure across multiple locations, requiring occasional overnight travel for inspections, maintenance, and project management. They must coordinate effectively with peers across teams in a dynamic environment, analyzing issues, thinking critically, and producing effective solutions that optimize the allocation of available resources.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Customer Service:

Serve as the primary point of contact for facility and infrastructure-related issues and requests from Foundation staff, partners, and guests.
Address and resolve facility-related concerns in a timely and effective manner.
Responsible for developing and implementing a work-order management system.

2. Facility and Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations:

Upkeep and operation of facilities, including housing, offices, barns, equipment sheds, shops, education pavilions, and research areas and their associated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
Develop and implement maintenance schedules for facilities, including supporting infrastructure such as water systems, roads, and utilities.
Develop and implement maintenance schedules for facilities, including supporting infrastructure such as water systems, roads, and utilities.
Conduct regular inspections of facilities and infrastructure to identify and address repair needs.
Ensure all facilities and infrastructure meet safety standards.
Maintains and tests potable water systems to ensure water quality is within safe parameters.

3. Project Management:

Manage and execute projects such as new construction, major renovations, and infrastructure upgrades ensuring minimal disruption to Foundation operations.
In collaboration with Foundation staff, develop comprehensive project plans, budgets, and timelines for projects, ensuring alignment with East Foundation objectives.
Collaborate with architects, engineers, and contractors to oversee project execution, ensuring adherence to specifications and quality standards.
Conduct post-project evaluations to assess outcomes and identify areas for improvement.

4. Budget Management:

Contribute to developing and managing the facilities and infrastructure budget, including maintenance, repairs, and capital projects.
Monitor expenses, identify cost-saving opportunities, and ensure efficient use of resources.
Review and approve invoices for facility-related services and capital projects.

5. Vendor Management:

Select and negotiate contracts with vendors and service providers for maintenance services, major repairs and improvements, and capital projects.
Manage relationships with vendors to ensure high-quality service and timely delivery of goods and services.
Address and resolve any issues with external service providers.

6. Team Management:

With ranch management, optimize the allocation of time for a shared labor pool that includes maintenance and repair staff and groundskeepers.
Ensures onsite staff at Foundation locations are familiar with critical infrastructure (e.g., water systems, backup generators, etc.) and are capable of troubleshooting issues independently.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree preferred; or a minimum of 10 years of experience in facilities and infrastructure management and development. Experience in agricultural or ranch settings is desired.
Experience in managing projects, budgets, and vendor relationships.
Familiarity with safety and compliance regulations relevant to operations of the Foundation.
Valid U.S. issued driver’s license and willingness to travel overnight as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must be technologically proficient with skills in the Microsoft Office 365 Suite of products including Outlook, Excel, Word and other business productivity platforms.
Strong project management skills, including planning, budgeting, and execution with effective verbal and written communication.
Must be detail oriented and adept at analyzing issues, thinking critically, and producing effective solutions.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across teams.
Diligent, reliable, and committed to consistently delivering high-quality work.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and work in a dynamic environment.

Working Conditions:

This position may require occasional evening or weekend work, depending on operational needs and emergencies.
Occasional overnight travel to outlying ranches for inspections, maintenance, and project oversight.
Physical demands include walking, standing, and occasional lifting of up to 80 pounds.
Work environment includes outdoor and indoor settings, with exposure to various, occasionally extreme, weather conditions.

Contact:

For more information on this position or to apply with a resume and cover letter contact Cindy Pavlicek, Chief of Staff.

Email: cpavlicek@eastfoundation.net

Website: https://www.eastfoundation.net/contact/employment-opportunities/