Blackburn College, a distinctive four-year liberal arts institution with a nationally recognized student-managed Work Program, invites applications for the position of Director of the Physical Plant. Located in Carlinville, Illinois, Blackburn is committed to providing a mission-driven, hands-on educational experience.

This role is highly visible and collaborative, interacting regularly with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners. The Director sets the tone for a service-oriented, solutions-focused approach—working to meet the needs of the community with a “how can we help” mindset while balancing operational priorities and resources.

The Director of the Physical Plant is a senior leader responsible for the overall operation, maintenance, and planning of campus facilities, ensuring a safe, efficient, and mission-aligned environment for the college community. This position oversees all aspects of facilities management, including building maintenance / construction, campus grounds, utilities and HVAC systems, and capital projects.  The Director supervises and develops departmental professional staff across departments and sustains the College’s student-managed Work Program as a meaningful component of operations.

The role includes responsibility for operating and capital budgets, facilities planning, regulatory compliance, and departmental reporting, and serves as a key liaison to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees on facilities-related matters.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Ensuring safe, functional, and well-maintained academic, residential, and administrative facilities
• Leading capital planning, renovations, and new construction projects
• Supervising and supporting facilities staff and student workers
• Managing departmental budgets and work order systems
• Supporting strategic and master planning efforts and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and safety standards
• Overseeing emergency response and on-call operations

Qualifications:

• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in facilities operations or a comparable role preferred
• Professional degree or equivalent experience in facilities management, construction, or a related field
• Working knowledge of campus maintenance, including carpentry, construction, utilities, and HVAC systems
• Valid driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record

Salary Range: $67,000–$85,000 commensurate with experience.

Benefits: Blackburn College offers a robust benefits package. For details, visit https://blackburn.edu/about/administrative-offices/human-resources/ and click on the Employee Benefits Summary tab.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Contact information (name, email, phone, address) for three professional references

Send Application Materials:

Human Resources, Blackburn College, 700 College Ave., Ludlum 110, Carlinville, IL 62626
or email [email protected]. Employment-based immigration sponsorship is not offered for this position. Phone calls or walk-ins will not be accepted.

Blackburn College is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants should be legally permitted to work in the United States; Blackburn is not able to sponsor visas for employment immigration.