Chief Engineer

Property Description

Discover a unique opportunity to be part of the rich history of Key West at the Key West Historic Inns Collection. Formerly known as Kimpton Key West, our historic collection boasts 219 guestrooms across Winslow’s Bungalows, Lighthouse Hotel, Ridley House, Ella’s Cottages, and Fitch Lodge. These buildings, originally homes for army officers, industrialists, and steamboat captains, reflect architectural styles from Conch to Queen Anne. Built when Key West was Florida's largest city in 1900, each structure holds captivating stories of gold discoveries and vaudeville performances. Join us and become a part of a team that embraces the vibrant past while offering unparalleled hospitality. Explore our property history at www.keywesthistoricinns.com for more information.

Overview

Key West Historic Inns is seeking an experienced, hands-on, and highly skilled Chief Engineer to lead the daily Engineering operations across our boutique hotel collection. This role is ideal for a strong technical leader who takes pride in maintaining exceptional properties, solving complex maintenance challenges, and developing a dependable Engineering team.

 

As the Chief Engineer, you will oversee the maintenance, repair, and preventive maintenance of our facilities, equipment, and building systems while ensuring our hotels remain safe, functional, and well-maintained. You will provide daily direction and technical support to the Engineering team, prioritize maintenance needs, and work closely with hotel leadership to address issues that impact our guests and operations.

 

With a collection of historic properties, this role requires someone who can balance proactive maintenance with the unique needs of older buildings. You'll play an important role in protecting our assets, preserving the character of our hotels, and ensuring our Engineering operation consistently supports an exceptional guest experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Engineering department, providing direction, technical guidance, and support to Engineering team members.• Lead, coach, train, and develop the Engineering team while promoting accountability, teamwork, safety, and quality workmanship.• Develop, implement, and oversee preventive maintenance programs for guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house spaces, equipment, and building systems.• Assign and prioritize work orders and ensure maintenance requests are completed accurately, efficiently, and within established timelines.• Troubleshoot, diagnose, maintain, and repair HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, kitchen equipment, pools, life safety systems, and other hotel infrastructure.• Serve as a technical resource for complex maintenance issues and assist the Engineering team with troubleshooting and repairs when needed.• Conduct routine inspections of guest rooms, public areas, mechanical spaces, equipment, and building systems to proactively identify maintenance and safety concerns.• Respond promptly to guest-impacting maintenance concerns and emergency situations while minimizing disruption to hotel operations.• Monitor the quality of completed work and ensure repairs meet company standards and applicable safety requirements.• Coordinate and oversee vendors and contractors performing repairs, inspections, preventive maintenance, and other property services.• Assist with departmental purchasing, inventory management, expense control, and budget planning.• Support renovation projects, equipment replacements, capital improvements, and other property improvement initiatives.• Maintain accurate work orders, preventive maintenance schedules, equipment records, warranties, permits, inspection reports, and other required documentation.• Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, fire and life safety standards, environmental regulations, applicable building codes, and company policies.• Maintain emergency systems and support property preparedness for equipment failures, utility interruptions, severe weather, and other emergencies.• Promote safe work practices and ensure proper use and maintenance of tools, equipment, chemicals, and personal protective equipment.• Collaborate with Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, and other departments to proactively address maintenance needs and support seamless hotel operations.• Maintain the appearance, functionality, and historic character of the Key West Historic Inns collection.• Respond to property emergencies and provide Engineering leadership outside of regular business hours as needed.• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical, vocational, or trade school training in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, or a related discipline preferred.• 5+ years of hotel, institutional, commercial building, facilities maintenance, or HVAC systems experience preferred.• 3-5 years of Engineering supervisory or leadership experience within hospitality or a comparable environment preferred.• Strong working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, emergency, preventive maintenance, life safety systems, and related building disciplines.• Refrigeration, HVAC, EPA certification, journeyman-level experience, or other applicable trade certifications highly preferred.• Proven ability to independently troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve complex building system and equipment issues.• Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive preventive maintenance programs.• Strong leadership skills with the ability to train, coach, motivate, and develop Engineering team members.• Experience coordinating vendors, contractors, inspections, equipment repairs, and property improvement projects.• Working knowledge of departmental purchasing, inventory control, expense management, and budget administration.• Knowledge of OSHA requirements, fire and life safety standards, environmental regulations, applicable building codes, and safe work practices.• Strong organizational, time management, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with the ability to effectively prioritize multiple operational needs.• Basic computer and administrative skills, including Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical manuals, equipment specifications, and maintenance documentation.• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with guests, team members, vendors, contractors, and hotel leadership.• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.• Valid driver's license preferred.• Must meet the minimum age requirement of the jurisdiction.• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, severe weather events, and emergency call-ins based on business needs.

Benefits

Davidson Hospitality Group is an award-winning, full-service hospitality management company overseeing hotels, restaurants, dining and entertainment venues across the US.   A trusted partner and preferred operator for Hilton, Hyatt, Kimpton, Marriott, and Margaritaville, Davidson offers a unique entrepreneurial management style and owners’ mentality that provides the individualized personal service of a small company, enhanced by the breadth and depth of skill and experience of a larger company. In keeping with the company’s heritage of delivering value, Davidson is comprised of four highly specialized operating verticals: Davidson Hotels, Pivot, Davidson Resorts and Davidson Restaurant Group.

In keeping with the company’s heritage of delivering value to its owners and team members, Davidson offers a rich benefit program with a variety of benefits designed to enrich the lives and well-being of our team members and their families.

• Multiple Tiers of Medical Coverage
• Dental & Vision Coverage
• 24/7 Teledoc service
• Free Maintenance Medications
• Pet Insurance
• Hotel Discounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, bereavement, and Holidays). 
• 401K Match

Working at Davidson is like nowhere else. It’s less of a job, more of a calling. It’s part career, part revolution. Because whatever you do here, you play a part in helping redefine the way quality hospitality is delivered to our guests, our clients, our partners, and each other.EOE AA- Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Gender Identity/Sexual OrientationDavidson Hospitality is a drug free workplace.  Pre-employment drug test and background check required.  We participate in E-Verify.