Position Overview

Energy Management oversees the reliable, safe and efficient operation of mechanical, electrical, and civil utilities systems in approximately 250 buildings on the Twin Cities campus. Home to the University’s technical and professional engineering staff, as well as a select group of skilled tradespeople, the group maintains the campus utility infrastructure and provides technical and engineering expertise to the U’s Capital Planning, Facilities Management building operations, and other facilities-related units across the U of M system. The Twin Cities campus has a total electric utility budget of approximately $51M per year. The system includes more than twelve miles of underground steam tunnels and four high voltage (13,800 Volt) switch stations. The Utility Operations group manages and maintains this complex infrastructure, as well as overseeing storm water management, sanitary sewer systems, municipal water distribution, chilled water distribution, steam and condensate, and compressed air systems.

This position provides guidance on the proper operations and maintenance of campus medium and low voltage electrical distribution equipment, lighting, renewables, and emergency generators. Under the direction of Principal Electrical Engineer(s) and Assistant Director of Utilities Operations, it provides supervision of the Energy Management Electrical Utilities maintenance crews. It is responsible for oversight of the University’s medium voltage assets, protecting them to maintain safe and reliable facilities for teaching, research and outreach.

Position Responsibilities

Supervision (30%)

• Supervise the University Electrical Utilities trade crew; Monitor and direct operations and maintenance activities.
• Maintain compliance with safety equipment inspection schedules.

Asset Manager (30%)

• Ensure the preventive maintenance program advances as equipment and their requirements change.
• Responsible for all electrical equipment falling under the jurisdiction of Energy Management. 
• Work in asset management platforms, such as EAM and GIS. 
• Coordinate building outages for Electrical repair and project work.
• Assist with long-range planning to economically comply with applicable codes and standards and protect assets.

Administration (15%)

• Develop, implement and maintain policies and procedures as necessary to ensure compliance with all federal, state and local codes (building, fire, environmental, etc.), as well as University policies. 
• Administer approved operations and maintenance budgets.  
• Help to manage Electric Utilities SOP library.
• Coordinate material and equipment procurement for maintenance needs.
• Oversee service and procurement contracts.

Technical Support (15%)

• Proactively investigate infrastructure problems Provide technical support to those responsible for the repair, maintenance, and operation of electric utility infrastructure. 
• Develop maintenance standards for electrical equipment. 
• Develop and prepare designs of minimal complexity for in-house construction projects and prepare cost estimates to complete the work. 

Project Coordination (10%)

• Support design review to ensure conformity with work/operational practices. 
• Assist in scheduling necessary outages to support capital projects. 

Required (minimum) qualifications

• Graduate from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and at least eight years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in operations and maintenance of electrical power distribution equipment. A minimum of six years of supervisory experience, preferably in facilities engineering and/or maintenance.

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology.
• Prior experience working in a university, hospital, electric utility, or other large, multi-building campus setting.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise electrical trades in operation and maintenance of medium and low voltage distribution systems, renewables, and emergency generators.
• Proven ability to maintain safety and operational performance standards.
• Experience utilizing asset management software including GIS, SCADA systems, EAM, and/or a CMMS.
• Competent in advancing existing preventive maintenance programs.
• Proven skill in Microsoft Office and Google suite.
• Ability to exercise reasonable judgement in application and interpretation of construction standards and building code requirements.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and resolve problems.
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks.