How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Who We Are

Utilities is a division of Facilities and Operations, made up of 135 dedicated employees responsible for providing utilities services for the university 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Services include campus-wide utilities purchasing, generation, and distribution, as well as metering and billing energy consumption for all university buildings. Distribution includes the operations and maintenance of 300 miles of underground utility systems from outdoor lighting and high voltage circuits to water mains to tunnel piping. The division also provides a wide range of engineering services primarily dedicated to energy management, the operations and maintenance of university facilities, and the utilities infrastructure.

Why Work at Michigan?

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

Responsibilities*

Provide administrative, operational, and technical leadership for the University of Michigan's Thermal-Mechanical and Civil Water Distribution Systems. Manage the procurement of natural gas and establish the fuel section budget for the Central Power Plant and Utilities department. Oversee the operational activities for the departments responsible for Mechanical Utility Distribution Systems and Outlying Boilers consisting of (3) shop trade senior supervisors, (3) program managers (planners), (1) metering systems program manager, and (28) tradespeople conducting operations and maintenance activities within the underground Mechanical Systems department (Tunnels), Outlying Boilers department, Water & Wastewater department, and mechanical systems revenue metering. Support the University's sustainability initiatives with regard to carbon reduction. Provide leadership to ensure the Utilities department's skills and organization evolve to ensure continued reliable service to campus as geo-exchange and other heating and cooling technologies are adopted.

As a Senior Manager in Utilities, this position will:

Oversee all aspects of the University of Michigan's Thermal-Mechanical and Civil Water Distribution Systems; including administrative and functional supervision of the department's professional, trades, and support staff with the authority to hire, set work hours and recommend promotions, pay rates or other changes in status.
Evaluate the effectiveness of departmental operations and recommend organizational changes, policy and procedure revisions, and equipment applications.
Continuously assure alignment of workload/capacity for both support and trade's resources.
Appraise staff productivity to determine opportunities for improved performance.
Actively participate in department and university sustainability initiatives.
Identify and implement process and organizational changes to support Utilities as our heating and cooling systems transition toward more sustainable technologies.
Prepare and administer the budget for respective department areas.
Lead the review, implementation, and administration of gas and water procurement activities including cost analysis, and modeling of potential tariffs for current and future university loads.
Coordinate the negotiation of contracts and manage the purchase and transportation of natural gas, oil and other fuels.
Act as liaison to the local natural gas utility and the City of Ann Arbor Department of Public Works or other non-electric utility provider.
Supervise and coordinate revenue metering, billing and recharging of heating and cooling energy, plus water and wastewater utilities for university departmental accounts.
Provide master planning to meet departmental and university operational, reliability, efficiency, and sustainability objectives.
Coordinate utility distribution system objectives with those in the Utilities department and other university stakeholders.
Plan, design and manage maintenance activities for civil utility distribution systems, mechanical metering systems, tunnels, and distributed boiler systems to ensure they are being well maintained.
As owner representative, review, comment and approve designs, specifications and plans as they are developed by engineering for construction and renovation of university mechanical and civil water distribution systems.
Advise on methods and materials to be used for construction and renovation of these areas.
Review and evaluate bids and proposals from contractors.
Collaborate with other engineering disciplines to develop and apply standards and guidelines that improve safety, quality, reliability, and efficiency.
Represent Utility Distribution Systems and departmental objectives or needs on campus-wide planning and policy committees.
Integrate best practices for environmental health and safety into planning and design, ensuring compliance with affirmative action, safety and environmental programs and policies.
Review and resolve departmental professional and union staff complaints and grievances.

Required Qualifications*

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent degree in a relevant technical field from an accredited institution.
Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in supervision/management or 10 years progressive utility operation and maintenance experience.
Knowledge of current design codes, standards, and regulatory requirements for civil water utilities (City of Ann Arbor and State of Michigan), and mechanical standards such as: ASME B31.1, B31.9, Michigan Boilers Code, and ASHRAE 90.1.
Three (3) years of experience working with and providing support to Mechanical Trades.
Experience in project management including development of budgets and estimates of probable construction costs for development by professional staff and retained consultants associated with utility infrastructure projects.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
Act in accordance with the Facilities and Operations' guiding principles of being Respectful, Collaborative, Proactive, and Solutions Based.

Desired Qualifications*

Registration as a Professional Engineer.
Five (5) years of professional experience in both civil and thermal mechanical distribution systems.
Three (3) years of professional experience managing distributed boiler systems.
Experience working in a large university setting.
Geo Exchange systems knowledge and experience.
Experience with natural gas procurement and tariffs.

Additional Information

Facilities and Operations seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to sustain the excellence of the university, and to offer students richly varied disciplines, perspectives and ways of knowing and learning.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.