Associate Director, Energy Systems

The University of Delaware seeks an Associate Director of Energy Systems to manage the strategic maintenance and operations of energy infrastructure on the Newark campus. Responsibilities include overseeing energy usage, developing sustainability initiatives, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with operational standards. The role involves budget management and leadership of energy programs aimed at reducing the campus's carbon footprint and enhancing operational efficiency.
University of Delaware

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which
encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women,
Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice
of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

Job No: 501812

Work Type: Staff

Location: Newark

Categories: Facilities Management, Full Time

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.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative
Action

The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person
on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity
or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital
status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other
characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment,
educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and
scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the
Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act
of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and
University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits
unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual
violence.

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