Staff Spotlight: Joe Burns
For Joe Burns, every day at UC Davis brings a new challenge, and that’s exactly what he enjoys most about the work. As the High Voltage Supervisor for Utilities, Joe plays a critical role in ensuring the campus’ electrical infrastructure operates safely and reliably while supporting the daily operations of a world-class university.
Joe has been part of the UC Davis community for nine years, building his career within Facilities Management through a series of roles that reflect both his technical expertise and leadership abilities. He began as an electrician in the Building Maintenance Services (BMS) Electrical Construction Shop, where he developed hands-on experience working on campus electrical systems. From there, he was promoted to BMS Electrical Construction Supervisor, and more recently stepped into his current role overseeing the Utilities High Voltage team.
In his current position, Joe supervises electrical crews, coordinates daily work assignments, and ensures projects are completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with campus standards. High voltage work is essential to maintaining reliable power across campus buildings and systems, and Joe’s leadership helps ensure that critical infrastructure continues to support teaching, research, and student life.
One of the things Joe appreciates most about his job is the constant opportunity to learn. “My favorite part of the job is constantly being challenged with new situations and opportunities to learn,” he says. “I enjoy facing new problems and figuring out solutions, which keeps the work engaging and interesting on a day-to-day basis.”
Like many leadership roles, Joe notes that adapting to new teams and environments can bring its own set of challenges. While the responsibilities of supervision may be similar from one role to another, each team has its own processes, dynamics, and ways of working. Learning those nuances and adapting to them has been an important part of his professional growth.
Throughout his time in Facilities, Joe says one of the most rewarding aspects has been the relationships he has built across the department. “Facilities has been a great place to grow,” he shares. “Over the past nine years, I’ve had the opportunity to build many strong relationships. Everywhere I’ve worked within the department has fostered a welcoming environment, united by a shared goal of supporting and serving the UC Davis community.” That same sense of purpose continues in his current role with Utilities High Voltage.
Outside of work, Joe enjoys spending time with his family and staying busy with hands-on projects. He especially enjoys taking his son to car shows and spending family days out on the lake; activities that combine his love of learning, tinkering, and making memories with his family.
Whether he’s mentoring his team, solving complex electrical challenges, or strengthening connections across Facilities, Joe brings curiosity, dedication, and a collaborative spirit to everything he does, helping keep the UC Davis campus powered and running smoothly.