Director, Support Services

Principal Accountability

The Director, Support Services is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling all aspects of Plant Operations, Safety, Security, Bio-Med, Dietary/Kitchen, Housekeeping, and Laundry activities for the startup facility. This includes leading the initial facility commissioning, supervising repair, maintenance, and installation of equipment and utility systems, and managing hospital safety, fire protection, and accident prevention in strict compliance with Acute Hospital regulations. Collaborates across all departments on initiatives concerning general safety protocols, fire protection measures, and the prevention and investigation of accidents.

Education & Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field

• 5 -7 years of experience

• 3 or more years management of department/staff, and/or oversight of specialized mechanical service contracts.

• Requires knowledge of Federal, State, Local, NFPA,  CMS Acute Hospital Conditions of Participation (CoPs), and regulations for a hospital

• Knowledge of Safety and OSHA issues related to a hospital

• Familiarity with New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) and state building/fire codes preferred.

Major Responsibilities

• Oversee facility transition from construction phase to active operations, ensuring all life safety systems meet day-one regulatory standards for initial state hospital licensure.

• Build out the Environment of Care (EOC), Emergency Management (EM), and Life Safety (LS) binders and protocols from the ground up.

• Maintain a highly visible, hands-on presence to physically troubleshoot and perform minor repairs on electrical, mechanical, and HVAC systems as needed due to small team constraints.

• Lead the operational commissioning, testing, and acceptance of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and life safety systems from the construction contractor.

• Establish and build the preventative maintenance (PM) program from scratch within the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) for day-one operations.

• Develop and implement all facility-related emergency management plans, policies, and procedures required for initial state licensing and CMS certification.

• Coordinate with IT and corporate biomedical teams to ensure proper infrastructure environments (cooling, backup power, security) for medical equipment and server rooms. 

• Prepare department budget and monitor expenditure of funds

• Schedule repair, maintenance, and installation of machines, tools and equipment

• Directs Plant Operations activities on utility systems (heating, cooling, water, etc.)

• Develop preventive maintenance programs for facilities

• Ensure compliance with Federal, State, Local, NFPA and Joint Commission regulations

• Function as Hospital Safety Director and manage EOC & Emergency Management programs

• Assists with development and implementation of

• Ensures quality, accuracy and timeliness of deliverables

• Provide administrative and operational oversight for Bio-Med services, ensuring medical equipment maintenance and safety standards are met.

• Direct Dietary and Kitchen operations, ensuring compliance with health department regulations and nutritional standards.

• Manage Housekeeping and Laundry departments to maintain a clean, sanitary, and aesthetic environment throughout the hospital.

Facility Operations and Maintenance

• Oversee maintenance of hospital buildings, grounds, and infrastructure.

• Manage HVAC, electrical, plumbing, medical gas, and mechanical systems.

• Ensure continuous operation of critical systems such as emergency generators and backup power.

• Develop preventive and predictive maintenance programs.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with standards from organizations such as The Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and applicable state and local agencies.

• Maintain compliance with fire safety codes and life safety requirements.

• Prepare for inspections, audits, and accreditation surveys.

• Maintain required documentation and records.

Safety and Risk Management

• Oversee environmental safety programs.

• Manage emergency preparedness and disaster response plans.

• Conduct safety rounds and risk assessments.

• Investigate facility-related incidents and implement corrective actions.

Utilities Management

• Monitor energy consumption and utility costs.

• Ensure reliable water, steam, medical gas, and electrical services.

• Develop energy conservation and sustainability initiatives.

• Coordinate utility shutdowns with minimal disruption to patient care.

Construction and Capital Projects

• Plan and manage renovations, expansions, and construction projects.

• Coordinate with architects, engineers, and contractors.

• Ensure projects meet healthcare design standards and infection-control requirements.

• Manage capital equipment replacement programs.

Budget and Financial Management

• Develop and manage departmental budgets.

• Control maintenance and repair expenses.

• Evaluate vendor contracts and service agreements.

• Prepare capital expenditure requests and long-range facility plans.

Staff Leadership

• Supervise maintenance technicians, engineers, and support staff.

• Recruit, train, and evaluate employees.

• Establish work schedules and performance standards.

• Promote workplace safety and professional development.

Emergency Operations

• Lead facility response during emergencies such as power failures, floods, fires, or severe weather.

• Coordinate with clinical leadership, security, and local emergency services.

• Ensure business continuity for critical hospital operations.

Strategic Planning

• Develop long-term facility master plans.

• Assess infrastructure needs based on patient growth and technology changes.

• Support organizational goals related to safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

• Performance miscellaneous related duties as assigned

Physical and/or Mental Stress Factors

• Ability to hear, sit, walk, stand, bend, and lift up to 75 pounds

• Regularly required to talk and hear, and vision to include close and distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus

• Ability to focus at computer monitor and type at a keyboard for several hours

• Ability to operate all equipment necessary to perform the job

• The visual, hearing, and mobility acuity to safely operate a motor vehicle 

• Ability to drive 

• Minimal travel required (<10%)

• Mental stress possible due to high volume of workload and tight deadlines

Equipment Used

1. Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

These are essential for tracking work orders, preventive maintenance, assets, and compliance documentation.

2. Building Automation Systems (BAS)

Directors should understand how to monitor and control building systems.

3. Fire and Life Safety Systems

Knowledge of:

• Fire alarm panels

• Sprinkler systems

• Smoke control systems

• Emergency generators

• Life Safety drawings

1. Regulatory and Compliance Tools

5. Energy Management Tools

6. Design and Construction Blueprints

1. Business and Data Analysis Tools; examples, Excel, Teams

8. Technical Knowledge (Beyond Software)

A competent Plant Operations Director should understand:

• HVAC systems

• Electrical distribution systems

• Medical gas systems

• Boilers and steam systems

• Water treatment

• Emergency power systems

• Infection control during construction (ICRA)

• Utility shutdown procedures

Salary range: $90,000 - 100,000
Valencia County Hospital is a new 15-bed acute care facility currently under construction in Los Lunas, NM. Owned by Valencia County and operated through a joint venture between Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) and Lovelace Health System, this startup represents a vital investment in rural healthcare and a unique opportunity to build clinical excellence from the ground up.