Utility Plant Project Management II

What You Can Expect

As a Utility Plant Project Management II at the University of Iowa, you will support plant operations & maintenance (O&M), and leadership by driving continuous improvement initiatives and coordinating technical project execution across the utility production facilities. This role focuses on improving safety, reliability, efficiency, and energy performance through thoughtful project development, engineering review, and structured implementation support. You will help conceptualize improvements, review system designs, and support construction and commissioning efforts tied to plant expansion, system upgrades, and operational optimization.

You will work closely with plant leadership, engineers, operators, maintenance personnel, environmental teams, and external consultants to improve plant performance and ensure regulatory compliance. In addition to supporting capital and O&M projects, you will assist in training development, lockout tagout (LOTO) planning, procedure updates, and commissioning of new or overhauled equipment. Your work will directly impact plant reliability, cost effectiveness, and operational excellence across the University utility system.

Reporting to the Plant Manager, your roles and responsibilities include:

• Work with Engie employees and outside consultants to solve engineering problems around the plants; improving the efficiency of the process and quality of the product. 
• Work with the local Environmental team and help oversee plant environmental compliance requirements.
• Work with Engie employees and vendors to help oversee Utility Plant water treatment program and chemical usage. 
• Support small construction O&M projects within the production plants such as installing/replacing pipes, pumps, motors, valves, filtration systems, or insulation. 
• Interface frequently with ENGIE’s CAPEX team, the University of Iowa’s Design and Construction, and our controls and automation partners to provide key input on design projects and prepare to provide support to projects when required. 
• Interface and coordinate with leaders to improve project development/ justification, design review, and execution efficiency through identification of subject matter experts and assisting in scheduling technical resources for project support.
• Assist utility system management with performance projections to help optimize the cost effectiveness of various operational strategies or maintenance scenarios, in addition to supporting logistics, budgeting and forecasting efforts.
• Collaborate with utility system management to update/develop procedures when changes occur or as required.
• Assist with the development of isolation and LOTO plans for O&M and CAPEX projects, outages, and maintenance as required.
• Read and interpret applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements governing design and water quality requirements. 
• Supports full compliance with corporate safety programs and promotes safety culture. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or related field with a minimum of two (2) years of experience directly operating or maintaining utility system equipment; in lieu of a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree with four (4) years of experience in a utility production environment or a high school diploma or GED equivalent with six (6) years of experience in a utility production environment will be considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of water quality requirements and methods for utility system and/or boiler water treatment management.
• Experience analyzing, designing, or implementing utility plant process improvement initiatives and or capital projects.
• Ability to utilize a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to create and complete work orders with detailed notes while maintaining well organized records and system documentation.
• Strong problem solving and root cause analysis skills with attention to detail and the ability to analyze system issues, recommend solutions, and implement system improvements.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with other department personnel, vendors and suppliers, students, staff, and the general public.