Senior Assistant Dean, Facilities Operations and Research Safety (0481U), College of Chemistry - 84
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Departmental Overview
The College of Chemistry at UC Berkeley is a large research-intensive academic unit on the Berkeley Campus and is internationally recognized for unparalleled educational and research excellence. It is one of three unique institutions in the nation maintaining combined Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Departments. The College consistently receives the highest rankings from the US National Research Council for both its chemistry and chemical engineering doctoral programs, and provides instruction to over 50% of all Berkeley undergraduate students comprising all majors. Approximately 80% of the College's facilities are comprised of advanced technical research and instructional laboratories, including high-level biosafety facilities and prototype laboratories supporting cutting edge research.
Position Summary
The Senior Assistant Dean, Facilities Operations and Research Safety reports directly to the Dean. Responsibilities include managing the design and construction of capital projects, including renovations, expansions and new facilities and infrastructure; collect, develop, and analyze technical data to determine project requirements and preparation of information regarding specifications, materials, equipment, estimated costs, and completion times, oversight of all EHS&S efforts, whether provided by UC staff or outside consultants/contractors, and ensure that their services are conducted to the highest standards of the profession. The Assistant Dean ensures timely and competent Facilities Operations and Research Safety service to all 1300 staff members and 55 research groups in 380,000 of Assigned Square Footage (ASF) comprising the Chemistry complex.
The Senior Assistant Dean coordinates these activities with other senior college staff including Department Chairs and the Assistant Deans responsible for Budget and College Relations.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: 03/27/2026.
Responsibilities
Facilities Planning, Development and Management
- Provides management and coordination of major and minor capital improvement projects, including ensuring implementation of planned and comprehensive building, landscape and infrastructure campus programs.
- Provides expertise in selection of design professionals, fee and contract negotiations, project code compliance and regulations, engineering and technical support, campus policies and project development.
- Provides College oversight of professional architects, engineers, landscape architects, project managers, analysts, and other design/construction professionals to ensure College major and minor construction needs are met.
- Serves as the primary contact to the campus Capital Projects (CP) unit.
- Responsible for approving all expenditures for CoC projects prior to their authorizing for payment by the Project Manager designated by Capital Projects.
- Provides counsel and oversight to the Project Manager assigned by Capital Projects, assuring that College and campus requirements are implemented.
- Directs the design, renovation, and construction of building projects in consultation with the Dean, Capital Projects, and, as appropriate, donors.
- In coordination with Capital Projects directs selection of design professionals and negotiates contracts.
- Responsible for converting the academic/research unit's design interests and needs into a clearly stated set of design requirements.
- During design and planning phase, ensures design intent.
- Reviews and analyzes estimated cost impacts for campus, college and possibly donor review.
- Assures that campus and contractors meet the Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection (MEPF) systems and meet codes, regulations, and University Design standards.
- Represents the College in developing processes and procedures with campus service providers such as EH&S, U.C. Police, RSSP, Communication and Network Services (CNS), Physical Plant, State Fire Marshal, State Architect, et cetera, to advance the interests of the campus.
- Provides expertise in selection of design professionals, fee and contract negotiations, project code compliance and regulations, engineering and technical support, campus policies and project development.
Plans, directs, and manages multiple College of Chemistry EH&S programs
Serves as the primary contact to the campus Office of EH&S providing overall direction and oversight in the following areas:
- Chemical Re-Use Facility, including collection and distribution of over 18,000 recycled chemicals for free within the College;
- Construction Safety during building and laboratory renovations located within the College;
- Laboratory Safety and Chemical Fume Hood Compliance Program;
- Laboratory Safety Contact Program that provides safety information and training to graduate student and postdoctoral researchers;
- Manages the Ergonomics Awareness and Evaluation Program for the College.
- Monitors and prevents chemical, biological, and physical hazards and diseases.
- Reviews and incorporates health standards promulgated by regulatory authorities.
- Represents College of Chemistry Senior EH&S management at campus meetings and committees.
- Provides personnel administration including selection, training, evaluation, and as required, corrective action.
- Develops and monitors operational plans.
- Manages Staff and monitors budgets and expenses, ensuring compliance with budgetary allocations.
- May establish and recommend changes to policies that affect the organization.
Evaluates, recommends, and implements policies and procedures to assure awareness of and compliance with EH&S requirements.
- Directs audits, follow-up and notification activities.
- Provides reports to Federal, State, and local agencies.
- Develops or oversees development of communication programs to ensure awareness of and compliance with all applicable rules, regulations, and policies to protect environmental health and prevent unsafe conditions.
- Maintains current, up-to-date knowledge and understanding of all existing and proposed regulations.
- Aids in the implementation and monitoring of campus environmental and safety programs, systems, procedures and training in: industrial hygiene, safety engineering, environmental protection, fire protection, and hazardous materials.
- Participates in development, evaluation and implementation of UCOP IT programs related to health & safety.
Personnel Management and Development
- Takes the lead in advising management team on staffing needs and assignments. Assesses staff development needs and recommends training opportunities for staff.
- Manages the Facilities Operations business unit for 6 buildings that comprise the College of Chemistry.
- Supervises the Facility Manager and provides administrative oversight to the College trades unit of carpenters, machinists, electricians, and the 'Liquid Air' Compressed gas facility and staff.
Project/Program Analysis and Evaluation
- Advises senior management such as Vice Chancellors, Dean, Associate and Assistant Deans in responding to requests for information regarding Capital Improvements.
- Ensures consistency and continuity in offering historical perspective in describing projects, and informs of potential claims for liability.
Required Qualifications
- Thorough knowledge of and experience in planning, design, construction, environmental issues, legal issues, federal, state and local laws, regulations and practices governing planning, building design and construction, state and federal legislative processes.
- Thorough financial, budgeting and cost management skills, including interacting with and synthesizing widely divergent viewpoints and interests.
- Thorough knowledge of and/or can quickly learn the organization, including its vision, mission, goals, achievements, infrastructure and short- and long-range strategic capital projects plans.
- Excellent organizational skills including skill in consistently and effectively meeting budget and time deadlines.
- Excellent skills to lead, direct and manage personnel including selection, training, evaluating and, as required, taking corrective action.
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including skill to work effectively with multiple constituencies to advance organizational objectives.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
- License to practice in at least one of the following professions: architecture, engineering, urban design, city planning or landscape architecture.
- Certificate to practice in at least one of the following professions: architecture, engineering, urban design, city planning or landscape architecture.
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $190,000.00 - $230,000.00. The full pay scale for this classification is $138,200.00 - $271,200.00.
- This is an exempt monthly-paid position.
How to Apply
- To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
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