Director of Cogeneration Plant

Position Summary

The Director of Cogeneration Plant  is part of the Maintenance & Operations (VUMO) department at Vanderbilt University reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Maintenance & Operations. The Plant Manager is responsible for maintaining and operating two central utility plants and utility distribution to all Vanderbilt buildings, ensuring reliability and sufficient generation of electricity and thermal utilities to meet campus demand. The Plant Manager must possess the ability to make independent judgment and take action within established policies and procedures.

About the Work Unit

VUMO is part of the Facilities Department which reports to the Vice Chancellor for Real Estate, Facilities, and Development. VUMO provides maintenance, cleaning, and other ancillary services for six million square feet of academic, laboratory, administrative, residential, and recreational space, as well as power generation and thermal utilities for both Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The Grounds team cares for 330 acres including a registered arboretum and SEC athletic fields. VUMO’s annual budget exceeds $100 million and includes over 400 employees.

Key Functions and Expected Performance

• Develops relationships and communicates regularly with Metro utilities, particularly NES.

• Provides updates, reports, and studies as needed to the Assistant VC for Maintenance & Operations.

• Schedules periodic maintenance and makes frequent inspections of electrical and thermal generating units to ensure proper operation.

• Schedules major shutdowns for maintenance.

• Coordinates efforts of outside contractors or university personnel to achieve repairs.

• Arranges for the procurement of fuel, anticipating quantity, scheduling deliveries, and keeping supporting records.

• Orders supplies and replacement parts used in the plant using the Facilities work management system 

• Responds to emergencies and determines corrective actions using available resources. Coordinates with building occupants.

• Directs the maintenance and operation of all Main Powerhouse systems, and all the primary distribution lines including those to the VU Medical Center complex.
• Reviews plans for new utility related items; collaborates in discussions with contractors, engineers, and architects regarding utility features of proposed buildings; attends construction field meetings, as necessary.
• Directs the administrative functions of the Plant. 
  • Establishes and maintains office routines, to conduct Central Utility Plant business, and maintains sufficient records to show the plant operation history and costs.
  • Assists the BOC in the preparation of the Plant budget.
• Supervises a staff of about twelve co-generation plant specialists, five power distribution specialists, and four welders/pipefitters.
  • Hires or makes the principal recommendation for hiring this staff and evaluates their performance. Makes recommendations on promotions, salary and other personnel matters.
• Coordinates activities by scheduling assignments, setting priorities, and utilizing the work order system to quantify work.
• Identifies staff training needs and ensures that training is obtained.
• Checks daily logs to determine proper operation and efficiency.
• Inspects completed work on boiler repairs, plumbing, pipe fitting, generators, turbines, electrical gear and other electrical work.
• Estimates labor and/or material for repair or new construction of plant systems.
• Reviews and approves employees time cards weekly
• Maintains overtime roster and on call pager schedules 
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Estimates monthly natural gas volumes to support the natural gas purchase hedging program.

Supervisory Relationships

This position has supervisory responsibility and reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Maintenance & Operations.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required and degree in engineering is preferred. 

Experience and Skills

• 5 years managing a cogeneration plant or thermal utility plant; or 10 years as a steam plant operator, at least five of which were as a Working Leader or Assistant Chief Engineer.

• Considerable knowledge of the operation and maintenance of high-pressure boilers, electrical generating equipment, and related mechanical equipment in a steam or electrical generating power plant.

• Considerable knowledge of the power plant control system, and the ability to make adjustments to such that plant is operating at peak efficiency.

• Considerable knowledge of electrical circuits pertaining to boiler and balance of plant equipment.

• Highly knowledgeable of the occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to the work.

• Knowledge of labor relations and union contracts.

• Knowledge of  high voltage distribution equipment including switchgear, breakers, relays, and metering

• Highly knowledgeable of the fields concepts, practices and procedures.

• Ability to train power plant operators and others in the operation and maintenance of the power plant and related systems.

• Ability to keep accurate records and prepare reports.

• Ability to detect operating defects and faults.

• Ability to monitor program and plant performance in order to assess efficiency and effectiveness.

• Ability to maintain work schedules and uphold work standards.

• High computer skills in various applications.

• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both verbally and in writing in a professional manner.