Central Utility Plant Supervisor

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Facilities, the supervisor of the Central Utility Plant plans, coordinates, and supervises the operation and maintenance of the Central Utility Plant, the Satellite Utility Plant, and the campus utility distribution systems. The central plants include a combined-heat-and-power (co-generation) system, three boilers, nine chillers, related cooling towers and ancillary equipment, water purification systems and air compressors. The plants produce electricity, steam, chilled water, deionized water, and compressed air for distribution to Caltech’s four million square foot research campus.

Essential Job Duties

• Develop and implement plant procedures to maximize reliability and optimize efficiency of plant operations.
• Ensure compliance with all regulations governing emissions (i.e., SCAQMD, etc.), waste water discharge, equipment operating permits, and Cal-OSHA safety regulations.
• Comply with all reporting requirements of the plant operating permits.
• Program, organize, and facilitate all plant operations, repairs, and upgrades.
• Analyze work orders; develop work plans and coordinate workloads and schedules to accomplish tasks in a timely and cost effective manner.
• Plan and execute annual and other periodic, scheduled maintenance of major utility systems including the gas-turbine and steam-turbine generators, boilers, chillers, air compressors, water purification equipment, and all associated subsystems.
• Administer work utilizing Caltech’s integrated work management system.
• Plan major utility maintenance and upgrade projects.
• Provide FM project management with technical assistance with specifications, design review, job walks, proposal evaluation, and schedules to support projects.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings; maintain up-to-date record drawings of utility plant facilities and equipment, including single-line process diagrams and detailed mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Supervise and ensure performance of the Central Utility Plant staff, including but not limited to, senior utility plant operators, utility plant operators, utility mechanics, mechanic aides, controls specialists, service mechanics, and water chemistry technicians.
• Evaluate and manage personnel including hiring, termination, and job performance.
• Schedule shifts for plant operators and other work groups as needed, to ensure 24/7/365 manning of the utility plants.
• Approve daily time records in the work management system and ensure the accuracy of the automated timekeeping system: process all vacation and leave requests.
• Develop and maintain a training program to educate plant personnel in all aspects of utility plant operation and maintenance and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain training records.
• Ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• At least 2 years trade college education in steam plant operation, power generation, or equivalent relevant work experience.
• 10 years of experience in utility plant operation, including power generation by steam or combustion turbines, chilled water production, and water chemistry control.
• Demonstrated leadership, strong verbal and written communications skills, and the ability to communicate in English.
• Computer literacy in MS Windows and Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Availability to respond to emergencies outside of normal business hours.
• Possess and maintain a City of Los Angeles Unlimited Steam Engineer license with Turbine Endorsement, or be able to earn this license within one year of employment.
• Maintain a valid California driver’s license throughout the course of employment.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, bend in all directions, climb stairs and ladders, squeeze with arms and hands, operate machinery using hands, work outdoors in all kinds of weather, be able to distinguish red and green indicator lights on equipment and control screens.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering.
• Familiarity with AiM IWMS, Kronos Timekeeping.
• Experience with AutoCAD.

Required Documents

• Resume