The HSE (Health, Safety & Environmental) Director provides strategic leadership and operational management of the agency's health, safety, environmental, and facilities functions across all buildings, group homes, healthcare environments, grounds, and transit-related properties. This role integrates the responsibilities of the Senior Director of Buildings and Grounds - overseeing the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of all facilities, equipment, and outdoor spaces - with agency-wide health and safety leadership, including safety inspections, incident investigation, emergency preparedness, staff training, and regulatory compliance. The HSE Director ensures that all properties are safe, compliant, well-maintained, and aligned with CARF standards, OSHA and environmental regulations, life safety codes, and ADA requirements, while leading maintenance, custodial, grounds, and skilled-trades teams and managing budgets, capital projects, and vendor relationships. This position plays a critical role in protecting the well-being of persons served and the staff who support them.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive health, safety, environmental, and facilities management program aligned with CARF standards, OSHA regulations, life safety codes, ADA standards, and organizational goals
- Oversee the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of all buildings, group homes, healthcare facilities, administrative buildings, equipment, outdoor spaces, and transit-related infrastructure
- Lead, supervise, and develop maintenance, custodial, grounds, and skilled-trades staff (carpentry, HVAC, painting) across multiple sites; provide coaching, training, and performance management
- Conduct and coordinate safety inspections and risk assessments; investigate incidents and lead corrective action planning
- Lead emergency preparedness and response planning, including evacuation procedures, drill coordination, disaster readiness, and incident response for facility-related events and natural disasters
- Establish and maintain preventive maintenance programs to extend the life of facilities, equipment, and building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural)
- Oversee environmental health and safety programs, including infection-control measures in healthcare and residential settings
- Train staff and frontline teams on safety procedures, best practices, and regulatory requirements; promote a culture of safety and accountability
- Plan, manage, and execute capital improvement projects, renovations, facility expansions, and new construction initiatives
- Develop and manage operating and capital budgets; monitor expenses and identify cost-saving opportunities
- Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service agreements for maintenance, landscaping, pest control, housekeeping, security, and specialized facility services
- Track safety and compliance data and provide reporting to leadership; maintain documentation and records required for CARF surveys, audits, and inspections
- Collaborate with clinical, residential, transit, and program leadership to ensure facilities and safety programs support programmatic and compliance needs
- Implement sustainability, energy-efficiency, and risk-reduction initiatives across all properties
Preferred IDD-Focused Responsibilities
- Ensure all facilities reflect a dignified, home-like, safe, and welcoming environment consistent with person-centered care for individuals with IDD
- Ensure buildings and grounds support accessibility, safety, and comfort for persons served, including ADA-compliant modifications
- Maintain environments that promote the health, well-being, and community inclusion of individuals served
- Support HCBS Settings Rule compliance through facility design, upkeep, and accessibility
- Ensure emergency and safety planning accounts for the specific needs of individuals with IDD across residential and program settings
- Partner with program leaders to reduce environmental and safety risks that could affect persons served or direct-care staff
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Occupational Health & Safety, Healthcare Administration, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- 8-10+ years of progressive experience in facilities, health/safety, or property management, preferably in healthcare, residential/group home, or transit environments
- Minimum of 5 years in a leadership or supervisory role overseeing multiple sites
- Strong knowledge of building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural components
- Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements, including OSHA, environmental, CARF standards, and life safety codes
- Proven experience managing budgets, capital projects, and vendor contracts
- Must pass a statewide/criminal background check confirming no convictions for crimes of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or any felony offense
- Must pass a pre-employment drug screen
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel between multiple agency sites
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing facilities in a healthcare, non-profit, human services, or group-home environment
- Professional safety certification (e.g., CSP, ASP, CHST) or facilities credential (e.g., CFM, FMP)
- Familiarity with transit facility requirements and fleet-support operations
- Experience with CARF survey readiness, infection control, and emergency management
- Experience managing skilled-trades teams (carpentry, HVAC, painting) and construction projects
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
- Strategic planning and execution across safety, environmental, and facilities functions
- Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Budget and financial management
- Risk management, safety, and regulatory compliance expertise
- Project and operations management, including capital projects
- Knowledge of building systems, preventive maintenance, and life safety codes
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across clinical, residential, and operational teams
- Ability to lead emergency preparedness and incident response
Physical & Essential Functions
- Ability to walk and inspect extensively across multiple properties, buildings, and grounds
- Ability to climb stairs and ladders and access roofs, mechanical rooms, and equipment areas during inspections
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds
- Ability to respond to facility emergencies, including outside standard business hours
Work Environment
- Operates in both office and field environments and requires regular site visits
- Frequent travel between multiple agency sites, including group homes, healthcare sites, and transit locations
- Exposure to varying weather, mechanical equipment, and active maintenance/construction areas
- Must be available to respond to emergencies and facility-related issues outside of standard business hours as needed
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Arc of Central Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check, drug screen, and any health screenings required by the Alabama Department of Mental Health Community Waiver Program and the Alabama Medicaid Agency.
ADA / Reasonable Accommodation
The Arc of Central Alabama complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The physical demands and work environment described in this requisition are representative of those an employee will encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. Applicants or employees who require an accommodation to participate in the application process or to perform the essential functions of the role should contact the People Operations department.