Operations Engineer (FMD)

Facilities Management Department Utilities & Engineering Services

Operations Engineer (FMD)

OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY

As part of the Facilities Management Department, Duke Utilities & Engineering Services (DUES) provides the utility services to the Duke University Campus and Medical Center including Chilled Water, Hot Water, Steam, High Voltage Power Distribution, Domestic Water, Sewer and Stormwater. The Operations Engineer will be responsible for providing Engineering support and guidance to the operations of the Centralized Steam, Hot Water, and Chilled Water plants to meet safety, reliability and efficiency goals of the department by implementing and executing operation and reliability best practices. This position reports to the DUES Operations & Maintenance Manager. They will work with the operations and plant maintenance teams and develop the necessary support documentation regarding the planning and scheduling of all utility plant equipment operation and shutdowns to meet the campus demand. The Operations Engineer will be the technical expert regarding utility plant operation practices and technologies and will provide guidance to the Operations Supervisors & Utility Plant Operators.

Position Duties

· Analyze system operations to identify changes that will improve system reliability and efficiency that contributes to the minimization of usage of natural resources, including water, natural gas, and electricity.

· Ensure that developed operating strategies for utility plants are maximizing the efficiency, minimizing cost and GHG emissions while maintaining required reliability and safety expectations.

· Provide technical assistance and support with primary focus on resolving operational problems and optimizing the efficiency of Chilled Water Plants, Hot Water Plants, and Steam Plants Operations.

· Maintain written procedures and required records of plant operational activities, such as energy consumption, equipment malfunction, meter and gauge readings.

· Support the operations team and operations supervisor with safe work practices through administration, enforcement of company and utility policies, procedures and training consistent with the objectives of the Facilities Management Department and in compliance with Federal and State agencies that will maintain a safe, clean and secure work environment.

· Establish and maintain a professional and consistent positive work environment.

· Provide leadership during critical events and outages involving multiple Duke Utility shops.

· Prepare various reports on operations and activities.

· Work with the Duke Occupational, Environmental and Safety Office (OESO) engineering staff to ensure that the utility plants meet all Federal and State requirements.

· Establish and maintain key metrics for the operations function. Extract and analyze data to report and track compliance with Key Performance Indicators on the performance of the utility systems.

· Accountable for providing short and medium term solutions and day-to-day support for operators, maintenance, engineering, and management to resolve utility system issues, troubleshooting, problem analysis, equipment failures, etc. and recommending measures to improve equipment reliability and efficiency.

· Work with engineering resources to modify equipment and facilities to ensure reliability in an economic and efficient manner to meet design criteria as well as reviewing new equipment designs and equipment modifications to ensure operability is considered.

· Serve as the knowledgeable resource to assist in training personnel in Reliability-related topics to maintain and enhance operations.

· Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Qualifications

Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

· Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or a directly related technical discipline.

· 5 to 10 years directly related leadership experience within a utility plant environment, including operation of large steam boilers, centrifugal chillers and utility distribution systems.

· Proven leadership and development of others with a bias toward continuous improvement.

· Preferred 2+ years’ experience directly supervising operations or maintenance employees.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Computer literate. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and in the use of CMMS software (Siemens, others?).

· High level of organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning skills including data analysis techniques and statistical interpretation skills

· Knowledge of the NFPA Codes, Life Safety Code, ASHRAE Standards and applicable Federal & State regulations.

· Ability to create and maintain positive customer and stakeholder relationships.

· Capable of communicating and expressing ideas clearly and concisely, in both written and oral formats.

Work requires a Bachelor's degree in a specific engineering field related to construction (e.g. Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering) and eligibility for North Carolina licensure as an Engineer.

Work requires a minimum of three years experience in design, planning, OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE evaluation and project management related to new construction and renovation of buildings and/or systems.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.