Purpose of Position: The Director of Utilities – Operations is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational oversight of campus utilities generation, ensuring alignment with the university’s mission and goals, meeting regulatory compliance, and fostering continuous improvement in utility operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Subject matter expert for campus and plant construction and operating strategies. Work intimately with other campus stakeholders in master planning and construction activities. Direct development and improvement of UEM standards and specifications pertaining to the needs of the district energy infrastructure and generation systems. (20%)
- Direct maintenance planning, scheduling, and execution efforts for Power Plant and Chilling Station equipment. Develop procurement and planning strategies for inventories, large equipment outages, and other maintenance activities. Develop proper budgeting and scheduling to support Executive Director in determining budget needs and allocations. (15%)
- Work with UEM divisions and Campus Operations to design and implement energy efficiency and optimization strategies in power plant and chilling station operations. Monitor and report impacts of efforts to assist in continuous improvement of plant operating metrics. (10%)
- Develop and train personnel, focusing on personal growth development, increasing skill sets, and career path guidance. Collaborate with managers, supervisors, and staff to identify strategies and needs to improve workplace culture and reinforce Campus Operations and UEM core values and mission goals. Lead development of job-specific training and succession plans. (10%)
- Develop internal strategies to align department goals with portfolio goals. (10%)
- Plan and direct continuous efforts to comply with best practices for safety. Oversee and enforce safety policies and collaborate with managers, supervisors, and employees to identify and implement a safety culture in the workplace and beyond. (10%)
- Assumes Executive Director Responsibilities and assures compliance with University policies and procedures. (5%)
- Manages the day-to-day nominations for purchased natural gas and projects the annual budgetary use of fuel in partnership with the Executive Director. In the absence of the Executive Director, executes gas procurements in fill and hedge orders to secure fuel gas to maintain critical campus generation needs. (5%)
- Serve as project leader for UEM sustainability efforts, including evaluation and planning for renewable technology integration, water conservation, and re-use efforts, plant efficiency improvements, demand-side, and production side energy reductions, and adoption of zero- and negative-carbon technologies. Work with the Department of Sustainability and campus projects to realize the benefits of the district energy program. (5%)
- Perform other related functions as assigned. Attend staff meetings, safety training or meetings. Adheres to Utilities and University policies and procedures.
Required Qualifications:
*Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field. Licensed Professional Engineer in a related discipline, or ability to obtain licensure within two years.
- Five (5) years of experience in energy management, engineering, power plant or similar operations administration, supervision, and operations of which at least five (5) years shall have been in a managerial capacity.
- Working knowledge of electricity, steam, chilled and heating hot water generation, and distribution systems, in operating and maintaining a combined heat and power plant, and managing a District Energy System.
- Demonstrate the ability to foster a safe and cooperative work environment with a demonstrated proficiency and knowledge of the utilities business and the forces affecting it.
- Demonstrate experience in decision making, budget management, and environmental stewardship.
- A proven track record of leadership in cultivating a culture of employee involvement and continuous improvement, supported by strong motivational and influencing skills that foster effective collaboration across diverse teams and cultures.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Five years of experience in the operations and maintenance of combined heat and power systems including gas and steam turbines, industrial chillers, and associated equipment.
- Experience in the use of real time dispatch for power and steam production, chilled water plant optimization, and real time chilled water distribution models.
- Experience in the design, development, and troubleshooting of utilities control systems including SCADA systems, digital controls systems, and balance of plant platforms.
- Experience in utilities infrastructure project management.
Compensation: The anticipated salary for this role is $205,000. For an overview of benefits, please see https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewardsApplications: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit your resume and cover letter as soon as possible using our Talent Profile.