Associate Director, Energy Systems

PAY GRADE: 34E

Context Of The Job

Under limited direction of the Director of Energy & Engineering, the Associate Director of Energy Systems is responsible for managing the strategic maintenance and operations of the Newark campus steam, hot water and chilled water plants which provides utilities to the campus approximate 10M square feet and service for nearly 24,000 students. This position is responsible for the University’s energy infrastructure, including sourcing, distribution, and optimized usage. The position develops and manages the University’s strategic energy plan with a focus on campus energy usage, including cost and sustainability, as it relates to carbon-footprint reduction. This position is an expert resource for recommending energy reduction strategies including but not limited to lighting, HVAC, and BAS system changes. Manages energy consultants as well as providing energy usage forecasts for the campus. Assists with all aspects of the University’s energy program including procurement, trending, demand response programs, and general reduction of energy use. This includes management of programs that support sustainability, University energy programs and operational efficiency impacting the University. Implements short-and-long-range goals to ensure the reliable operations, maintenance, and vendor management standards of the university are met in a cost effective, safe and efficient manner.

Oversight includes management of technically sophisticated equipment and related systems in the areas of Building Automation Systems (BAS) and Central Plant Operations. This includes field execution of regulatory and compliance-based work, campus chilled water and steam districts, refrigeration instrument controls, boiler maintenance, and all university building automation systems. Responsible for overall facilities operations in accordance with required operating guidelines and budget. This includes active operational identification and implementation of specific projects related to the university’s energy management program. Oversees the activities of over (24) unionized employees and 2 exempt staff. May be granted operational authority in the absence of the Director of Energy & Engineering to address operational issues. Leads operational staff in critical environment strategies and process development. Accountable for human resource management, staff development & well-being. Leadership responsibility for an annualized gross operating budget of approximately $28M. This position is responsible for the co-development of maintenance management strategy and execution for the central plant, utility distribution and building automation systems. This position is considered essential personnel for university emergencies.

Major Responsibilities

• Provide expert direction for energy optimization, energy distribution and energy information projects ranging from physical equipment design and installation projects to data collection and control architecture and enterprise IT projects.
• Provide technical direction and engineering consultant oversight and management related to campus energy utility infrastructure planning.
• Manage and develop the University’s electric distribution monitoring and building power quality monitoring and reporting systems.
• Provide technical directions for the optimized operations of the campus utility chilled water, steam and hot water plants.
• Provide technical direction and project management on the development of Advanced Energy Systems integration projects, including faculty and student research projects related to microgrids, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.
• Manage the University’s major energy procurement contracts including City of Newark Electric Service Agreement (ESA), Natural Gas transportation accounts, and Central Utility Plant fuel oil accounts.
• Develop and manage the strategic energy plan as well as the energy component of climate action plans.
• Manage energy monitoring systems and metering for the University’s $29M utility budget; collaborates closely with other Facilities departments, units, and management levels.
• Oversees the administration and control of budgets and contracts totaling between $1 and 2 million dollars annually for the Utility plants.
• Oversees approximately 24 trades, 1 manager, and 1 engineer.
• Responsible for the 24/7 operation and maintenance of the campus wide chiller, underground steam, condensate, refrigeration, building automation systems and facilities related systems.
• Responsible for 24/7 supervision of refrigeration trades, BAS trades, power plant trades, and boiler mechanics trades.
• Oversees building environmental systems and automation systems to ensure correct operation; optimizes systems, co-develops, and enforces recommended comfort standards.
• Co-Manages 3rd party campus Water Chemical Treatment account which includes boiler chemistry calculations, water softener operations, and chiller/cooling tower treatment programs.
• Responsible for managing repair and maintenance records of heavy refrigeration, BAS, power plant, and boiler related equipment throughout the campus. Responsible for maintaining daily logs and reports on system trends for these areas.
• Evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance. Completes employee forms such as vacation, sick, and accident reports; co-administers the collective bargaining agreement and other work policies; participates in the grievance process. Interviews and hires hourly staff, recommends changes to staffing as appropriate.
• Oversees energy consumption performance, benchmarks performance against external sources. Identifies cost savings in fuel consumption and resolves any issues determined in the analysis.
• Participates in reviews of plans and specifications for new construction/ retrofit projects with Planning & Project Delivery (PPD) and Mechanical and Electrical design engineering firms to ensure compliance with University design guidelines.
• Provide backup coverage for PPD Project Managers to oversee and manage project related campus utility shutdowns.
• Collaborate with PPD to develop, maintain, and enforce campus design standards for all BAS, refrigeration, steam, and condensate.
• Co-Administers the AFSCME Labor/Management Agreement for hourly represented employees.
• Works with 24/7 Call Center Operations as required to assure management of emergent events.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline and seven years related facility management or building operations experience, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Registered/licensed professional engineer and Certified Energy Manager preferred.
• Working knowledge and experience with BAS/EMS and other systems.
• Ability to supervise and train assigned staff including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Knowledge and experience with building systems technology.
• Knowledge of state and federal safety requirements pertaining to facility operations.
• Knowledge and experience with building operating systems such as: boilers, chillers, compressors, and generators.
• Knowledge of proper and safe chemical handling practices of federal, state, and local codes pertinent to facilities planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of direct digital control systems.
• Knowledge of engineering-level understanding of deionized water systems, acid neutralization systems, and heat generating equipment systems.
• Ability to supervise personnel in the installation, calibration, debugging, troubleshooting, and operation of technically advanced building control equipment, systems, and software.
• Knowledge of maintenance business practices and procedures including organizational structure, workflow, budget development and analysis.
• Skilled in examining and re-engineering maintenance operations and procedures, formulating short and long-range goals, policies, and developing and implementing new strategies, programs, and procedures.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and/or projections.
• Experience in operations budgeting is preferred. Ability to analyze budgetary expenditures for compliance with approved budget.
• Effective verbal and written interpersonal communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to interact with all levels of the University of Delaware community directly and indirectly, staff, outside consultants/ contractors, vendors, and City of Newark officials in a professional manner.
• Previous leadership experience supervising and developing staff, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
  
  

Environmental Factors/Occupational Exposures

• Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• The environment involves minimal exposure to physical risks, such as operating dangerous equipment or working with chemicals.
• The physical environment requires the employee to work both inside and outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions.
• Appropriate personal protective clothing must be worn when necessary.
  
  

Special Requirements

• Must have a valid driver's license and regular access to private, reliable means of transportation to maneuver throughout the Newark campus and other University of Delaware locations when operationally necessary.