Job Description:

• Ensures chilled water and steam is produced and delivered with extremely high reliability (greater than 99% uptime) to support campus safety and operational continuity.
• Directs Central Utility Plant Managerâ™s activities to ensure safe, reliable, efficient and cost-effective operations of the steam plants, steam and condensate distribution and metering systems, chiller plants, distribution, and metering systems. Ensure comprehensive maintenance management system is in place, benefits are fully realized, and are compliant to all city, state, and federal regulations.
• Leads reliability improvement initiatives including the timely publishing of root cause analyses for all disruptions and near misses.
• Establishes and implements short and long range organizational goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures; monitors and evaluates program effectiveness; implements changes required for improvement. Implements strategies for continuous improvement of campus infrastructure, capital planning, systems, operations, and energy conservation.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of procedures to comply with regulatory programs as they apply to the central plants distribution systems.
• Provides leadership to the Building Automation Systems Manager to ensure establishment of and adherence to standards for existing control systems and new installations, plan and implement renewal of end of life systems, and ensure functionality of utilities sub-metering systems. Supports building re-commissioning and new commissioning efforts and initiatives to optimize building systems operation.
• Develops a team environment for direct reports that support customer service and customer-response focus.
• Enforces strict adherence to safety rules, practices and regulations.
• Provides technical support and subject matter expertise for all energy efficiency policy and programming including EF Campus and greenhouse gas reduction in collaboration with Assistant Vice President, Campus Planning and Sustainability.
• Develops strategic initiatives tied to utility management plan, consumption measurement, conservation technologies, renewable energy, sustainable systems, greenhouse gas reduction, policy program development and implementation, utility recharge and forecasting, energy commodity market analysis and procurement of natural gas and electricity.
• Identifies building mechanical problems impacting energy consumption; analyze heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting systems to determine optimum operating conditions. Advises maintenance shops on energy efficient operation of building mechanical systems. Develops and recommends maintenance project priorities for equipment and operational strategies to maximize operating efficiency.
• Leads the Universityâ™s efforts and provides guidance and identification of effective strategies for energy efficiency programs, greenhouse gas reduction and optimization of energy conservation.
• Proactively engages utility usersâ™ group to establish constructive dialog, credibility and cooperation through informal authority. Provides oversight for energy efficiency projects including identifying and prioritizing opportunities and project implementation in cooperation with Capital Project Delivery. 
• Manages utility vendor relationships to leverage value and influence service levels. Establish appropriate key performance metrics to evaluate program effectiveness. Manages development of building construction guidelines for new construction and renovations that ensure proper use of energy wise methods and materials.
• Manages the monitoring of and document the University's overall sustainability performance as it relates to energy efficiency programs.
• Partners with Assistant Vice President, Campus Planning and Sustainability to support Eco Chicago and other associated working groups both internally and externally.
• Identifies opportunities for outside grant funding, rebate programs, or other savings programs and manage application submittals, grant program management, and various reports.
• Manages managers and professional staff. Establishes performance goals, allocates resources and assesses policies for direct subordinates.
• Ensures the performance and results of multiple department trades and operations functions including electrical, carpentry, locksmiths, decorating, sheet metal, roofing, care of grounds, service crew, auto mechanical shops, major façade repair projects, and residential apartment maintenance.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• BS/BA in engineering or related field.
• Masterâ™s Degree in Engineering, MBA or other advanced degree.
• Professional Engineer license.

Experience:

• Ten years of experience in utility infrastructure, university utility and facilities operations preferred; ten years of experience in related field. 
• Demonstrated experience managing the operation and maintenance of central utility plants. 
• Minimum of seven years of environmental/sustainability experience including implementing environmental or sustainability programs, resource management, environmental initiatives, or equivalent experience.
• Supervisory experience; working with unionized workforce.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must have a valid driver's license and successfully complete the University's Motor Vehicle Records background check process is.
• Certified Energy Manager or Certified Energy Procurement Professional required.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Demonstrated experience in sustainability or LEED AP credentials.
• Demonstrated experience with energy, water, and waste conservation in buildings.
• Skilled in budget preparation, financial management and analysis.
• A flexible, problem-solving approach to leadership.
• Demonstrates effective leadership skills within a complex, multilayered organization.
• Ability to think strategically and drive priority initiatives through the organization.
• Strategic planning skills. Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Skills in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals.
• Sensitivity and diplomacy required to balance competing campus interests.
• Experience in financial modeling and risk management concepts.
• Advanced Excel, PowerPoint and Access skills or equivalent.
• Computer literacy in Windows NT and Microsoft Office environments. 
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with senior leadership.
• Demonstrated management skills with ability to relate to a diverse and complex operation and supervision of exempt and non-exempt staff.
• Utilize principles of management to ensure responsibilities are met effectively and efficiently. This includes planning, controlling, leading, and organizing.
• Demonstrated skills in using sound analytic methods and ability to work with complex analytic issues.
• Ability to effectively interact with departmental staff, as well as campus, and university wide administrators.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to effectively communicate within and outside of the department.
• Ability to effectively interpret University and departmental policies, procedures and practices.
• Skill to effectively communicate orally, in writing and electronically.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment of changing priorities.
• Respond promptly by phone or in person as appropriate to emergency situations and therefore must be available 24/7. 

Preferred Competencies

• Effectively lead performance of a large team.
• Create Strategic Vision & Purpose.
• Ensure resiliency (reliability+redundancy+recoverability) of critical campus systems.
• Foster Partnership & Collaboration.

Working Conditions

• Ability to move around campus to inspect buildings and infrastructure including use of stairs, ladders and walking in below grade utility tunnels in extreme temperature conditions.
• Ability to review architectural/engineering plans and specifications. 
• Keyboarding; bending; stooping to reach files; light lifting; standing. 
• Some travel may be required.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• List of References (required)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

About University of Chicago (UC)

One of the world's premier academic and research institutions, the University of Chicago has driven new ways of thinking since our 1890 founding. Today, UChicago is an intellectual destination that draws inspired scholars to our Hyde Park and international campuses, keeping UChicago at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change the world.

Connections working at University of Chicago (UC)