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