Description

Energy Management oversees the reliable, safe and efficient operation of mechanical, electrical, and civil utilities systems in approximately 250 complex buildings on the Twin Cities campus. Home to the University’s technical and professional engineering staff, as well as a select group of skilled tradespeople, the group maintains the campus utility infrastructure and provides technical and engineering expertise to the U’s Capital Planning, Facilities Management building operations, and other facilities-related units across the U of M system. The Twin Cities campus has a total electric utility budget of approximately $51M per year. The infrastructure required to safely and reliably distribute this energy includes more than twelve miles of underground steam tunnels and four high voltage (13,800 Volt) switch stations. The Utility Operations group manages and maintains this complex infrastructure, as well as overseeing storm water management, sanitary sewer systems, municipal water distribution, chilled water distribution, steam and condensate, and compressed air systems.

This position provides engineering expertise and guidance on the proper operations and maintenance of campus medium and low voltage electrical distribution equipment, lighting, renewables, and emergency generators. Under direction of Principal Electrical Engineer(s) and Assistant Director of Utilities Operations provide supervision of Energy Management Electrical Utilities craft. Responsible stewardship oversight of the University’s medium voltage assets; assist institutional leadership in protecting these assets to maintain safe and reliable facilities for teaching, research and outreach.

Position Responsibilities

Supervision (30%)
Supervise the University Electrical Utilities trade crew; Monitor and direct operations and maintenance activities of crew. Collaborate with general foreperson, trade foreperson, and utility planner. Resource craft trade members as necessary to balance the labor workforce to workload. 
Maintain compliance with safety equipment inspection schedules.
 

Asset Manager (30%)
Ensure the preventive maintenance program advances as equipment and their requirements change.
Responsible for all electrical equipment falling under the jurisdiction of Energy Management. 
Oversee the relationship between asset management platforms, such as EAM and GIS. 
Coordinating building outages.
Assist with long-range planning to help the University economically comply with applicable codes and standards and protect its assets.
 

Administration (15%)
Develop, implement and maintain policies and procedures as necessary to ensure compliance with all federal, state and local codes (building, fire, environmental, etc.), as well as University policies. 
Administer approved operations and maintenance budgets.   
Oversee and implement the Electric Utilities SOP library.
Coordinate material and equipment procurement for maintenance needs.
Oversee service and procurement contracts.
 

Technical Support (15%)
Proactively investigate infrastructure problems and/or coordinate and review similar work by outside resources and independently develop engineering solutions. Provide technical support to those responsible for the repair, maintenance, and operation of electric utility infrastructure. 
Develop maintenance standards for electrical equipment. 
Develop and prepare designs of minimal complexity for in-house construction projects and prepare cost estimates to complete the work. 
 

Project Coordination (10%)
Support design review to ensure conformity with work/operational practices. Review the impact of new designs on existing utility systems. Review ongoing and completed projects to ensure adherence to University quality requirements. Direct project design concerns to University project leaders and/or correspond directly with consultants, contractors and service providers. 
Assist in scheduling necessary outages to support capital projects. 

Physical and environmental requirements
Work is performed in an office setting as well as out in the field. This position will be exposed to hazardous conditions where hearing and visual protection may be required. Must be able to walk and climb to physically access and view various sites.
 

Requirements

Position Qualifications

Required (minimum) qualifications
Graduate from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and at least eight years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in operations, maintenance, design, technical evaluation, and project review activities in the areas of electrical power distribution and electrical equipment. A minimum of six years of supervisory experience, preferably in facilities engineering and/or maintenance.

Preferred qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology.
Prior experience working in a university, hospital, electric utility, or other large, multi-building campus setting. 
Demonstrated ability to supervise electrical trades in operation and maintenance of medium and low voltage distribution systems, renewables, and emergency generators, as well as collaborate with technically skilled staff.
Proven ability to maintain safety and operational performance standards.
Experience utilizing asset management software including GIS, SCADA systems, EAM, and/or a CMMS.
Competent developing new and advancing existing preventive maintenance programs.
Proficient skill in preparing sketches and drawings with the use of AutoCAD.
Proven skill in Microsoft Office and Google suite.
Understanding of digital communication, presentation, and filing systems.
Ability to listen well and exercise reasonable judgement in application and interpretation of construction standards and building code requirements.
Demonstrated ability to lead change and to gain support and commitment from others.
Ability to work collaboratively with others in diverse roles to address and resolve problems.
Highly developed written (including technical writing), verbal, interpersonal and persuasion skills with both internal and external parties.
Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks, resolve problems, negotiate solutions, identify and analyze unit and departmental priorities to ensure work efforts and resources are employed appropriately.
Ability to balance multiple work demands and to thrive in a changing environment.