Energy Center Manager

The Environment and Energy department is seeking an Energy Center Manager to manage the service contract between the county and the operator of the Hennepin County Energy Center and to serve as the county’s technical representative at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center. The Hennepin County Energy Center provides heating and cooling for county owned and private sector facilities in downtown Minneapolis. The Energy Center Manager acts as the county’s owner representative and is responsible for managing the Energy Center’s operations and maintenance agreement. Additionally, this position will provide input on capital projects and maintenance practices at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC). HERC is a mass burn facility that processes 365,000 tons of solid waste per year. 

Location and hours:This position is located at the Hennepin County Energy Center, 616 10th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415. This position will occasionally be on-site at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, 505 6^th Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55405. Work hours are Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., with flexibility. This position may require working after hours and on the weekends, as needed. 

• Learn customer needs and service requirements acting as the facility representative promoting the highest quality customer care.
• Monitor energy plant output and operations on a day-to-day basis.
• Assist plant management in keeping plant a safe place to work.
• Review work related to management of the energy plant by contractors and vendors to assure contract compliance and to improve plant operations.
• Monitor contract services of all subcontractors and vendors to include approval of invoices for services provided and commodities delivered.
• Work with plant management in the development of the preventative maintenance program.
• Develop and monitor timelines for upgrade projects and oversee work to minimize service interruptions, maintain quality workmanship, and ensure work finishes on schedule within budget.
• Provide leadership to further department-based strategies that align with county goals, mission and core values for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Develop plan for future improvement of plant and satellite systems including decarbonization efforts to meet county initiatives.
• Participate in work groups to oversee the plant performance that can include representatives of the county, plant management, consultants, and vendors.
• Review and make recommendations on capital projects at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center.
• Review and make recommendations on maintenance practices at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center.

• One of the following:
  • Eight or more years of experience in facilities management activities with responsibilities involving multiple facilities.
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in facility management, engineering, architecture, or a related field and four years or more of experience in facilities management activities with responsibilities involving multiple facilities.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a Hennepin County driver's permit.

• State of Minnesota 1^st Class C Engineer (1C) license
• Four or more years of experience working in power plants.
• Experience:
  • Managing energy plant contractors and vendors to assure contract compliance and to improve plant operations.
  • Developing and managing capital projects to minimize service interruptions, maintain quality workmanship, and ensure work finishes on schedule and within budget.
  • Working with electronic maintenance management systems.
  • Using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, and AutoCad.
  • Addressing racial equity, gender equity, LGBTQ equity, neurodiversity equity, and differing ability equity.
  • Implementing DEI initiatives or a strong desire to learn and engage in these efforts.
  • Engaging in ongoing professional development related to DEI.
• Knowledge of:
  • Principles and practices related to district energy systems.
  • Operations and maintenance management of steam and chilled water systems.
  • Local, state, and federal power plant regulations and their application in operations.
  • Electronic maintenance programs with ability to develop analytical reports monitoring overall effectiveness of the facility’s maintenance program. 
  • Drawings and specifications.
• Ability to analyze operational data to benchmark, verify performance, and determine the root cause of equipment failures as well as assist customers to understand their building operations.