Energy Plant Manager

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI

Pay: $77,500/yr

Shift: Full time

**Job No:** 26154

**Department:** Facilities Management

**Work Type:** Staff - Full Time

**Location:** Main Campus (Houghton, MI)

**Full Time / Part Time:** Full Time

**Categories:** Management, Maintenance / HVAC, Trades

**Applications Close:**

Michigan Technological University is an R1 technological research university founded in 1885 in Houghton. Our rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Research focus areas include defense, health, energy, automotive, environment, and aerospace.

The area’s waters, forests, and snowfall support year-round recreation, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, and paddling. The University is an integral part of the region, supported by a friendly and welcoming community that takes pride in being a true college town. We embrace our size, climate, sense of adventure, and originality.

**Summary**

The Energy Plant Manager at Michigan Technological University leads the Central Energy Plant Operations team, providing reliable, efficient utility services to Michigan Tech. This role drives high-performance, procedure-driven plant operations — with an emphasis on consistent documentation and minimized variability — while supporting the Director of Energy Management on campus-wide energy efficiency initiatives.

**Responsibilities and Essential Duties**

• Manage the Plant Operators and Mechanic/Operators, including scheduling shift coverage, overtime equalization, and time off for the team.
• Recommend and participate in hiring, discipline, and performance decisions for plant staff, with such recommendations given significant weight.
• Lead the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the Central Energy Plant.
• Manage long-term planning and maintenance for the Central Energy Plant and the Building Automation System (BAS), including annual shutdown repairs.
• Manage projects being done within the Central Energy Plant and steam distribution system, and other associated areas.
• Schedule and oversee inspections and testing required for Central Energy Plant environmental and safety compliance.
• Monitor energy performance and identify opportunities to reduce waste and increase efficiency of heating, cooling and other process utilities.
• Assist and train personnel in troubleshooting and diagnosing problems in building HVAC equipment.
• Interface with student groups, Engineering, campus researchers on technical energy or sustainability projects.
• Promote energy conservation and sustainability within the campus community through educational programs, plant tours and presentations.
• Promote a culture of safety within the department.
• Apply LEAN principles and continuous improvement strategies.
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

**Required Education, Certifications, Licensures**

• At least 5 years of steam boiler plant operating experience, electrical power generators and a strong understanding of precision maintenance methods and management.

**Required Experience**

• Demonstrated work experience and/or training in management of personnel in an industrial setting.
• Experience in project management of energy related projects.
• Experience with basic functions of building automation and control systems.
• Experience in power or central steam plant operations and maintenance.
• Experience using personal computers and software packages including spreadsheets, email, databases, work order systems and other electronics documents.

**Desirable Education and/or Experience**

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Automation & Control Engineering
• Experience with operation of building automation and control systems.
• Association of Energy Engineers; CEM or BESA certification.
• Experience in LEAN or other continuous improvement efforts.

**Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities**

• Ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to a culture of safety by having established safety as a key professional value and essential component of daily practice.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service.
• Strong technical knowledge of building steam, condensate and electrical systems.
• Ability to meet and manage deadlines.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple work assignments.
• Ability and availability to be on call and/or work flexible hours when required including evenings, nights, holidays and weeken