Who is a Chief Engineer?

Welcome back to the “Who is” series! We’re on our fifth “episode” (article) of our series about career opportunities in the hospitality industry. If you like working with your hands this week’s article might be right up your alley-we’re learning about the Chief Engineer and Engineering Department of a hotel. Let’s get stuck right in…

What does a Chief Engineer do?Hotel Engineer2 Who Is A Chief Engineer? International Hotel School

A Chief Engineer oversees the Engineering Department of a hotel. The Engineering Department takes care of the maintenance of the hospitality property which is a permanent, on-going job.

Chief Engineer responsibilities

The Chief Engineer is responsible for: •    Protecting the integrity of the hotel buildings through maintenance •    Maintenance of the hotel, which includes:

  • the building structure
  • floors, walls, and ceilings
  • furniture, equipment and fixtures
  • air conditioning/central heating
  • water and sewage
  • alarms and safety systems (eg. for fire or emergencies)
  • lifts (elevators)
  • utilities such as electricity
  • equipment for kitchens, laundries, etc.

among many other duties.

Who does the Chief Engineer report to?

The Chief Engineer reports to the General Manager.

Who reports to the Chief Engineer?

The Assistant Chief Engineer, the Engineering team and any admin staff the Engineering Department may have.

Qualifications

A Chief Engineer must have an appropriate qualification and substantial industry experience.

Skills

A Chief Engineer must: • Be proactive • Know the maintenance status and requirements of the hospitality property • Think strategically and have a plan of action for scheduled maintenance • Communicate clearly and diplomatically

Working conditions

A Chief Engineer usually works “normal” business hours. Some hospitality properties require that the Chief Engineer lives on the property.

Earning potential

A Chief Engineer can earn up to R15 000/month.

Job opportunities

A Chief Engineer is essential for most hotels and hospitality properties unless they’re small and outsource the work. Chief engineering jobs are available all over the world at a considerable variety of hospitality properties.

Wrap up

A Chief Engineer holds a vitally important position for the successful operating of a hospitality property. He keeps the lights on, toilets flushing, building standing and countless other things functioning to keep guests comfortable and happy! This position requires someone smart, savvy, and good with their hands. Would you be up for the challenge? Drop in next week for more info on awesome careers in the hospitality industry and take a look at our archives for more ideas on what you can do with your future in hospitality.

Join Our 30 000 Successfully Employed Graduates

The International Hotel School is by far the best educational institute I have been to. The moment you enter the door, you're welcomed with such warmth and are assisted up to your satisfaction, the warmth I mentioned is not only from the IHS staff but all students as well. The best part is the luggage of opportunities after finishing your studies, it's the cherry on top!
Amahle ManzanaThe Commodore Hotel
My experience at International Hotel School was absolutely amazing. When you choose to go into something and you have the full understanding of what you have envisioned for your career, everything falls into place. The greatest challenge I faced was escaping my comfort zone seeing as I always wanted to stand out.
Barney JiriSelf-employed Professional Chef
Straight after high school I went to study at The International Hotel School, one of the best decisions I made. There I met young people from all backgrounds, cultures & countries and that was the beauty of the school. The culinary industry is so diverse so getting to experience & learn with other passionate young people was truly amazing.
Chef MoProfessional Chef and Owner of Mo's Food & Pastries
As a Maritzburg boy all I wanted to do was explore and travel through hospitality and International Hotel School allowed me to do just that within South Africa! My most incredible work achievements so far were firstly working at The Oyster Box Hotel which International Hotel School exposed me to, and now working at Phinda Private Game Reserve. Within a year I had my first promotion and now I’m running my own beautiful lodge! International Hotel School helped me along my hospitality pathway!
Tyler BritsLodge Manager - Phinda Vlei Lodge
A career in hospitality was always a childhood dream and this led me to study Hospitality Management at the International Hotel School . My journey would have not been possible without the teachings from IHS which firmly provided a strong foundation for me to build upon.
Verona OliverFairmont Zimbali Lodge & Resort
The International Hotel School has given me fantastic opportunities and pushed me to better myself even years after I had finished my traineeship and for that I will always be grateful. If you work hard and push through the tough times, I guarantee that on graduation night you will feel your own accomplishments and you will have a better understanding of the opportunities that await you in the future.
Michela McDonaldLodge Manager - Willow Lodge, Harare
I graduated from the International Hotel School and have never looked back. What I learned while studying and working in the hospitality industry is something that one could only wish for. Not only did it open so many doors, but it filled me with knowledge and understanding of various worldwide cultures. With all this at my fingertips and the experience that I had gained during this time, I was able to open my own successful company.
Bronley-Robyn GoverOwner – The Silver Flair
With the courses at International Hotel School you leave with more than a Diploma; you leave with an amazing experience, friendships and knowledge. My wish for all the students is think out the box. Don’t let where you come from or where you stay ever limit you from seeing the world.
Raquel CareyOceana Cruises
Being part of International Hotel School already sets you apart from most people in the workplace. Working in the hospitality industry means your interpersonal skills are well developed and you are able to interact on a level that peers might still need to get used to. Use your skills to your advantage, it will set you apart from the rest. International Hotel School is a great place to start!
Daniel LombardBusiness Analyst
The International Hotel School provided me with the necessary experience and knowledge to flourish in the hospitality industry. It is because of IHS, that I gained first-hand experience in an industrial kitchen and was thus prepared for my future life as a chef. The International Hotel School equipped me with industry-related knowledge and skills that remain invaluable in every kitchen I work in. It was truly the best choice I made on the path to my career as a successful chef.
Raeesa MohamedPastry Chef - Ritz-Carlton Dubai
To all the students who have registered this year, you need to realise that the International Hotel School provides you with the best platform in South Africa to excel in the hospitality industry globally. With the correct mental attitude and networking abilities you can go anywhere in the world once you have graduated. Keep your head down, work hard and let your life be taken into 6th gear.
Brandon KrielSommelier Seychelles
I loved the Traineeship programme. It gave me the chance to get a true feel for the industry while studying. I was therefore better prepared for the expectations of the industry when I graduated, so that its demands did not come as a shock to me.
Winner - Best Afternoon Tea in London (Harden’s London Restaurant Awards 2016)
Shael MeadOwner - Taylor’s Kitchen Eatery
The International Hotel School opened many doors for me throughout my studies and gave me the opportunity to work abroad in Europe and in the United States. The dedicated lectures made campus life fun and interesting with their own industry experience, ensuring we had the best backing to enter the industry with. With subjects that are designed to cover course work that is used daily in the hospitality industry like Housekeeping shift duties to Front Office Night Audit, it made working in the industry easier with all the hours in the classroom paying off.
If a job that is ever changing and challenging is interesting to you, I highly recommend becoming part of our IHS Family.
Danielle Teixeira Housekeeping Supervisor - Marriott Hotel London
The International Hotel School gave me a solid academic foundation to kick-start my exciting career. It further succeeded in ensuring that I was well-groomed through its well-structured in-service training programme. The interactions and lessons learned from the various managers at the Royal Hotel in Durban are what guided me to what I have become today.
Ayanda MazibukoDeputy General Manager – Palazzo Montecasino
Together with theory and practical experience, I have been given the knowledge and understanding to own my own hotel/restaurant/coffee shop or resort.
Sarah-Jane VarkevisserHospitality Manager at Alpine Heath Resort
My most memorable moment working in the hospitality industry has been working onboard the Seabourne Legend cruise liner; traveling the world and meeting people from different cultures. The interview for Seabourne Legend was through International Hotel School so I will be forever be grateful.
Zanele ZwaneExecutive Housekeeper - Spier Hotel
International Hotel School lecturers are very caring and want everyone to do well, they will equip you with everything you need to pass very well - all you have to do is show up prepared in class and for exams. Show up and do well for yourself because it will definitely pay off at the end. Be an achiever.
Fezile KhumaloBanqueting & Conferencing Coordinator – Crowne Plaza
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Linkedin