City of Boston

Director of Building Systems and Engineering

Req ID
2025-31363
Dept
Property Management
Position
Regular Full-Time
Location
Prm Property Management
Salary Min
116,471.63
Salary Max
155,908.69
Union
SE1
Openings
1
Posting End Date
3/2/2026
Contact Email
ashley.vassall2@boston.gov

Overview:

The mission of the City of Boston Property Management Department (PMD) is to manage, maintain, repair, and provide security for the City's municipal buildings, including City Hall and Faneuil Hall; to preserve the useful life of City facilities and reduce operating costs through effective reactive and preventative maintenance measures and the replacement of equipment.


Under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner of Operations, the Director of Building Systems and Engineering programs, performs, and supervises reactive maintenance, preventative maintenance, inspections, the replacement of deficient or defunct equipment and systems, and consults on major renovations or capital improvements for Fire and Life Safety systems, HVAC systems, electrical systems, elevators and other vertical transportation systems, building automation technology and controls, emergency power generation and distribution, steam plant, utilities and other critical building systems. This position performs difficult and complex professional engineering work in connection with the operation, maintenance, and improvement of various municipal buildings; prepares reports and recommendations for Department Leadership, and does related work as required.

Responsibilities:

  • Leads, develops, monitors, and adjusts all practices related to the reactive and preventative maintenance of critical building systems, including but not limited to fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, HVAC systems, electrical systems, elevators, wheelchair lifts, and other vertical transportation systems, building control systems, emergency power generators, and distribution systems, as well as utilities, and utility connections such as power, water, and steam.
  • Develops specifications for and monitors the execution of service contracts related to the preventative and reactive maintenance of building systems and equipment, and provides direction to contractors on the service, replacement, or enhancement of equipment as required.
  • Visits all sites within the Building Systems Portfolio at regular intervals to inspect equipment, monitor the work of department staff and contractors, discuss planned preventative maintenance, and develop corrective action plans to address deficiencies.
  • Actively monitors the condition of building systems and assets, and designs and monitors the implementation of a clear and robust maintenance and replacement schedule for all assets in the building systems portfolio.
  • Monitors invoices for compliance with contract terms, approves scopes of work related to the repair or replacement of equipment, and provides information to support the development and submission of the Department’s Capital and Operating Budget proposals.
  • Supports and provides technical direction and expertise to members of the Public Facilities Department and Property Management Department engaged in capital construction or renovation projects, ensuring that equipment and systems selected are sufficient to meet the needs of buildings and are compatible with existing systems and procedures.
  • Develops procedures and training materials for all existing facilities, and upon the addition of new buildings and equipment to the portfolio, ensures that all technicians, contractors, and staff are familiar with the equipment and properly engaged in its regular maintenance and testing.
  • Monitors the commissioning of new or renovated buildings and coordinates project handover for building systems and relevant equipment, including the review of all manuals, warranties, training materials, and punch list items.
  • Diagnoses technical problems with equipment or systems, including legacy hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and provides hands-on direction, assistance, and troubleshooting in their repair or replacement.
  • Implements, maintains, and supports the replacement of various building technology systems and facility management technologies, including, but not limited to, HVAC and lighting controls, building models, energy monitoring tools, electronic building plans, and CMMS.
  • Coordinates the response to building emergencies such as the activation of a Building’s fire alarm system or an elevator entrapment, and provides critical information to responding Public Safety Officials.
  • Assumes the role of “Fire Safety Director” during a fire alarm activation, taking command until the Boston Fire Department arrives, and using the Building Systems to inform the Fire Department of the location and extent of the emergency.
  • Creates and maintains emergency evacuation plans and procedures for all buildings within the Department’s portfolio.
  • Directly supervises, oversees, evaluates, coordinates, and directs the daily work and activities of all supervisors and technicians engaged in the maintenance and operation of, or any trade work related to, building systems and equipment.
  • Oversees compliance with and is the key point of contact for all Federal, State, and Local regulations related to equipment within the portfolio (such as the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Program, National Fire Protection Association, Division of Occupational Licensure, and the Office of Public Safety and Inspections), and analyzes new rules and regulations for their impact on the Department.
  • Tracks, manages, and arranges the renewal of various local permits, inspections, certificates, and licenses, including, but not limited to, Certificates of Occupancy, Certificates of Inspection, Places of Assembly, and inspections of all Fire and Life Safety equipment, such as standpipes, fire pumps, and emergency generators.
  • Serves as the key point of contact for Utility Companies or regulatory agencies in the event of an planned or unexpected interruption of electricity, water, gas, or steam, and coordinates with the appropriate agencies, contractors, and Property Management Department Personnel to ensure clear communication, timely restoration of the required utilities, and the safe re-activation of building systems, plant, and equipment.
  • Responsible for record keeping and data integrity for all building maintenance and assets within the building systems portfolio.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

  • A minimum of seven (7) years of full-time, professional experience working with or managing a team of similar size, and a portfolio of similar scope and technical complexity, of which three (3) years must have been in a supervisory capacity. A bachelor's degree, preferably in Engineering, Building Construction, Architecture, or a related field, may be substituted for two (2) years of required work experience. A master's degree may be substituted for three (3) years' experience.
  • A strong knowledge of mechanical equipment operations and maintenance, along with extensive experience supervising technicians and staff in these areas, is required.
  • Certifications or licensure at the journeyman level or higher, recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure in one or more of the fields of Plumbing and Gas Fitting, Sprinkler Fitting, Refrigeration Technician, Pipefitter, Professional Engineer, Steam Fireman, Engineer, or Power Plant Operator, Boiler Pressure Vessel Inspector, are preferred.
  • Ability to develop and manage programs for the inspection, maintenance, replacement, and repair of equipment and systems critical to the successful operation of City of Boston Buildings.
  • Knowledge of Massachusetts regulations and statutes regarding Fire and Life Safety systems, elevators, and vertical transportation systems, as well as other equipment requiring inspection or licensure by a government authority, is required.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience creating materials for both professional and general audiences.
  • Must be able to respond to emergency service calls during nonworking hours and provide remote or in-person support to the greatest extent practicable, when required. Such response shall be compensated with a minimum mandatory amount of overtime or compensatory time in accordance with the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.
  • Knowledge of computer-based building management systems is preferred.
  • Must have and maintain a valid Massachusetts Driver's License.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and focus on detail as required by the position.

CORI CHECK REQUIRED

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

 

Terms:

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: SENA/MM1-12

Hours per week: 35

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