Engineer

University of North Carolina, United States

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Chapel Hill, NORTH CAROLINA
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: ; ;

Posting Information
Position Type Permanent Staff (SHRA)
Is this an internal only recruitment? No
Position Title Engineer - Journey
Working Title Engineer
Position Number 00033971
Vacancy ID P013551
Budgeted Hiring Range $43,030 - $102,878
Pay Band Information
To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet .
Salary Grade Equivalent GN14
Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited Full-Time Permanent
If time-limited, estimated duration of appointment
Hours per week 40
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday Business Hours
As business dictates some nights, weekends and/or holidays may be required. 
Department Name and Number ES CW-227310
Date First Posted 09/21/2021
Closing Date 09/28/2021
Position Location Chapel Hill, NC
Position Posting Category Engineering and Architecture

Department Description
The Energy Services Department consists of five groups: (1) Cogeneration Systems (generates electricity and steam, and the distribution of steam throughout campus and UNC Hospitals); (2) Electric Distribution Systems (distribution of electrical power throughout campus); (3) Chilled Water Systems (producing and distributing chilled water throughout campus); (4) Water, Wastewater and Stormwater (for the use and conservation of water, as well as the proper management of stormwater and runoff); and (5) Administration (provides GIS, SCADA, coordination of operational information technologies, strategic planning, and management functions).  
Together these five groups provide safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective steam, electricity, chilled water, sanitary sewer, reclaimed water, and potable water utility services to the University’s campus.  
The purpose of Chilled Water Systems is to produce and distribute all chilled water for 155+ buildings on campus and satellite locations.  Chilled water is produced in two ways. One is by an extensive chilled water generating system – the single, virtual chilled water plant, comprised of four networked chiller plants that are operated as a single virtual system, and by stand-alone chillers that are building-specific.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.
Position Description
The Chilled Water Systems Mechanical Engineer provides engineering support (operations, maintenance, planning and system performance) for all mechanical processes and systems, including chillers (water or air cooled), heat exchangers, pumps, cooling towers, distribution systems, and auxiliary components that are essential to the production and distribution of chilled water for the university.  This position is required to understand the complex processes associated with production and distribution of chilled water along with operations and maintenance required.  The position provides planning and project management support (Utilities Systems Master Plan, Campus Land Use Plan, capacity, and reliability, etc.), safety oversight working closely with the Energy Services Safety Specialist and Management to review procedures and policies (develop department policies such as lock out/tag out, enclosed space entry, refrigerant leak, etc.), assist supervisors and management in the development and implementation of training specific to chilled water equipment and systems and is expected to communicate with a variety of individuals and/or departments.   
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in the engineering discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.  Some positions may require licensure by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.  All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Position requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of mechanical engineering.  The position requires the ability to evaluate, approve and manage projects with significant complexity within budget and on schedule.  The position requires the ability to provide technical analysis and make recommendations and /or decisions on both routine and non-routine engineering problems in the mechanical and process systems.  The ability to communicate with management, peers, and plant personnel is essential and to express verbally or in writing moderately complex technical concepts clearly and concisely is a requirement of the position.
 
Knowledge – Professional:
Thorough knowledge and understanding of concepts, practices and theories used in the engineering specialty area and the ability to use it in practice.  May require the general knowledge to oversee compliance regarding multiple specialties.   Working level understanding of the organizational and business objectives of section/specialty.
 
Program/Project Management:
Ability to evaluate and approve moderately complex program/project specifications for completeness, compatibility, compliance with engineering principles, standards, codes, and design needs; ability to perform inspections/audits to ensure that proper procedures are followed.  Ability to manage moderately complex programs/projects for completeness, compatibility, and compliance with engineering principles and design needs and standards.  Ability to identify and resolve project/program
changes.
 
Communication:
Ability to express moderately complex engineering concepts and related facts in a clear, concise, and organized manner.  Ability to modify, delivery, language, or content to account for the characteristics and needs of the audience.  Ability to write clear, concise, and organized documents and reports addressing moderately complex engineering concepts and facts.  Ability to develop and negotiate positions in moderately complex engineering situations.  May require ability to provide expert testimony.  Ability to provide consultation to clients or others related to the specific program/project.  Develop and/or create informational products.  
 
Engineering Design and Analysis:
Ability to develop and manage program/project plan.  Ability to provide consultation on issues and requests from clients.  Ability to consult with higher-level professionals to discuss alternative solutions.  May require ability to supervise staff.  Ability to develop and implement short-term strategies consistent with agency/university goals.  
 
Engineering Review, Decision Making and Analysis:
Ability to make recommendations and may require ability to make decisions on non-routine engineering and/or program matters or other areas requiring technical engineering expertise.  May require ability to make final decisions.  Ability to provide technical analysis.  May require ability to serve as a mentor/resource to lower-level employees in assignment.  
 
Leadership:
Develops and manages program/project plan.  Provides consultation on issues and request from clients.  Consults with higher-level professionals to discuss alternative solutions.  May supervise staff.  Develops and implements short-term strategies consistent with agency/university goals.    
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited engineering program. Extensive knowledge of hydraulics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics.  Basic understanding of electrical, civil, and structural engineering.  Extensive knowledge of large and complex chilled water production and distribution facilities, equipment, and operation.  Excellent project management skills and at least six years experience related to thermal utility operation also preferred.
Required Licenses/Certifications
NC Drivers’ License or the ability to obtain one.
Special Physical and Mental Requirements
Accuracy Required to Work:
Through instructions and training to personnel, this position assures that safety limit control equipment is calibrated to manufactures specifications. All safety controls used to shut down equipment that do not perform correctly are then replaced, calibrated, and tested
 
Consequence of Error:
Error in the administration of the Water Treatment Program could lead to under-feed of scale and corrosion control chemicals. In addition, poor corrosion protection will result in the formation of deposits on the condenser tubes that, in turn, results in increased energy costs. For example, if high Total Dissolved (TDS) results in 1/100” of scale, this reduces the efficiency of a chiller by ten percent. Because of overall scaling, the utilities cost could increase by $500,000 dollars per year. Prolonged scaling may also result in premature unit shutdown and equipment replacement because of high head pressure. This would make chiller equipment unavailable for use.
 
On the other hand, low TDS wastes both water and chemicals. This is generally caused by over bleed of a cooling tower or an incorrect limit setting. The over-feed of chemicals is very costly. This condition could waste thousands of dollars’ worth of chemicals and these chemicals could damage wood and metal material in the cooling towers. Over feed can also cause scale on heat exchanger’s tube surfaces. Thousands of dollars of damages can occur if equipment is shut down and if the safeties do not function correctly.
 
Instructions Provided to Employee:
The position receives general guidance from the Chilled Water Systems Manager, position 55666. The position works independently as a self-starter, initiator, and implementer. The position works from his own experience base, historical perspective and technical knowledge about the chillers, controls, and distribution system. The supervisor works from the perspective of familiarity with the department, its mission, and its personnel.
 
Guides, Regulations, Policies and References used by Employee:
These are extensive. The position uses technical manufacturer’s specifications and equipment maintenance manuals, chemical treatment program manuals, engineering plans and specifications, EPA, OSHA and Health and Safety regulations (including CFC regulations), systems and procedures from the department and Energy Services, University Human Resources policy, purchasing policy and procedures, contracting rules and industry standards.
 
Supervision Received by Employee:
Supervision received is like Instructions Provides to Employee- general and periodic. Work is evaluated through review of reports, discussions, feedback from others and results achieved.
 
Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts:
The position interacts with a variety of contractors, including Johnson Controls International (JCI) service company for refrigeration, parts, and technical assistance; York (JCI) and Carrier for large chiller maintenance and repair; and other supply houses for parts. In addition, the position works with construction managers and designers, Co-Generating Facility on steam production and hourly pricing; EMCS on air handling equipment shutdowns to conserve energy consumption; Electric Distribution on primary power supply issues. Health and Safety on safety audits, issues, training, and publications; Facilities Services departments for auxiliary service work; Human Resources on recruitment, policy, and disciplinary issues; Building occupants to coordinate disruptions of cooling, problem-solving and need assessment; other campuses and agencies looking for advice and consultations on trying to add chiller capacity or modify systems.
 
Physical Effort:
Occasional mechanical and other kind of repair work requiring bending, stooping, climbing, heavy lifting and other physical activity. Stair climbing and descent is a regular part of the job.   
 
Work Environment and Conditions:
The position works in an office, a plant environment and outside. The position is subject to loud noise levels in the plant, wide swings in temperatures and humidity from controlled conditions inside the plant and office to the extremes from weather in outside conditions.
 
Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment and Materials Used:
This position must be proficient in the use of a personal computer, engineering testing equipment and instruments and familiar with the proper use of hand tools, cranes, rigging equipment, machine tools, welding and cutting equipment and other shop equipment.  The computer must be used for computer assisted design and drafting, geographic information systems (GIS) graphics, word processing, PowerPoint presentations and spreadsheets.  
 
Visual Attention Mental Concentrations and Manipulative Skills:
This position requires great concentration for troubleshooting, diagnoses and problem solving, evaluation of options and planning, among other things. It also requires attention to detail and the ability to set and re-order priorities regularly and routinely.
 
Safety for Others:
As an engineer, the position is responsible for staff adherence to safety rules, procedures and regulations, compliance with laws, proper use of safe methods and safety equipment and staff training in safety. Finally, the position monitors equipment operation from a safety perspective and decides when conditions are approaching dangerous levels for staff, adjusting operations, shutting down equipment and/or calling for help.   
 
Dynamics of Work:
Workloads and pressures may increase and decrease suddenly and unexpectedly. The position must be able to adjust its own work and mental preparedness to handle the stress and re-set priorities for itself, as well as the staff, to meet the needs and requirements as they change.
 
Due to the critical nature of the facility’s function, a high level of accuracy and attention to detail is required in calculations and implantation to ensure safe and reliable operation.  Position must be committed to a high level of documentation of any changes made to mechanical and process systems.
 
This position is considered Emergency Duty and as such must report to work during periods of adverse weather or other University emergency.  
 
The employee in this position is considered a Communicable Disease Mandatory Employee – Primary.  As such, will be expected to report to work during a pandemic if directed to do so.  
 
Environmental conditions range from an air-conditioned control room to dusty, hot, humid, and cold conditions.  This position will be required to work in all conditions at various lengths of time depending on the need or operational requirements.  Part of the equipment is located outdoors and operation and/or maintenance are required year-round.  Physical effort required for the position includes, but not limited to, climbing ladders/stairs, working in confined spaces, being in contact with hazardous materials and lifting to 50 lbs. independently.
Position/Schedule Requirements Evening work occasionally, Exposure to Hazardous Materials, Night work occasionally, Valid NC Driver’s License, Weekend work occasionally
Position Attributes
Stimulus/ARRA Funded No
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/198853

Office of Human Resources Contact Information
If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to [email protected] 
 
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

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