Department Head - ISD Operations, South Dakota

About the Role:

Under minimal supervision, the Department Head oversees the Infrastructure Services Division (ISD) Operations in South Dakota, ensuring the effective management and execution of infrastructure maintenance, facility operations, and contracted support services in alignment with Fermilab's DUNE Host Lab Mission Support Plan. This role requires coordination of personnel and external contractors to support conventional facilities operations, maintenance, and logistics at the Lead, SD site. The position ensures regulatory compliance, optimal facility performance, and efficient service delivery in accordance with DOE orders, Fermilab policies, and federal/state regulations.

What your day-to-day as a Department Head ISD at Fermilab will look like:

1. Leadership and Strategic Oversight

• Lead and manage the South Dakota ISD department, overseeing staff and external vendors responsible for infrastructure, facility management, and service contracts.

• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and best practices for facilities operations in compliance with Fermilab and DOE standards.

• Establish long-term strategic plans to transition ISD responsibilities from the construction phase to full operational support of the LBNF/DUNE project.

• Ensure budget planning and resource allocation align with mission-critical needs.

2. Infrastructure Operations and Facilities Management

• Oversee the efficient and safe operation of all facility systems, including HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical systems.

• Develop capital asset replacement programs and ensure preventive maintenance strategies to extend equipment life and minimize operational risks.

• Lead the assessment and execution of facility condition inspections, ensuring compliance with ESH&Q regulations.

• Manage all infrastructure maintenance, including utility systems.

3. Contract and Vendor Management

• Oversee site-wide service subcontracts, including janitorial, waste disposal, vehicle repair, pest control, and building maintenance.

• Serve as the Task Manager for vendor activities, monitoring performance, conducting audits, and ensuring contract compliance.

• Lead the procurement, evaluation, and selection of contractors, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness in all agreements.

4. Regulatory and Compliance Oversight

• Ensure adherence to Fermilab's Environment, Safety, and Health (ESH) policies, maintaining compliance with OSHA, EPA, and DOE regulations.

• Manage safety programs related to facility operations, including industrial hygiene, fire protection, and emergency preparedness.

5. Emergency and Crisis Response

• Act as the primary facilities point of contact for emergency situations, responding to after-hours incidents and ensuring business continuity.

• Coordinate with security and emergency management teams to implement site-specific emergency response protocols.

6. Logistics and Support Services

• Manage material handling, transportation logistics, and warehousing operations supporting infrastructure and experiment needs.

7. Reporting, Data Management, and Stakeholder Communication

• Develop performance metrics and service improvement plans (SIPs) to track operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and maintenance backlog.

• Maintain real property inventory records, updating facility data as required.

• Regularly report to Fermilab management and DOE stakeholders on South Dakota site conditions, budget utilization, and operational challenges.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in facilities operations, infrastructure management, or site services, preferably in a government, research, or industrial environment.

• Experience in managing large-scale service contracts, multi-trade facility operations, and DOE/National Lab compliance frameworks.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong leadership and project management skills, capable of managing a diverse team of staff and subcontractors.

• In-depth knowledge of building systems (mechanical, HVAC, electrical, and structural) and preventive maintenance best practices.

• Expertise in contract negotiation, vendor management, and procurement processes.

• Familiarity with federal facilities regulations, including DOE orders, OSHA, NFPA, and EPA standards.

• Experience using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools.

• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.

• Ability to work on-call and respond to facility emergencies as needed.

Work Arrangement:

Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final.

Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our South Dakota office. Remote work might be permitted up to two days per week.

Benefits/Perks:

Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid time off
Life insurance
Short and Long-term disability insurance
Retirement benefits
Onsite day care