Operations Assistant Manager

Position Overview

As part of the Facilities Management Department, Duke Utilities and Engineering Services (DUES) provides the utility services to the Duke University Campus and Medical Center including Chilled Water, Steam, Hot Water, High Voltage Power Distribution, Domestic Water, Sewer, and Stormwater.  The Operations Assistant Manager will be responsible for leading the team of utility plant operators in troubleshooting efforts, standard operating procedures, lockout/tagout activities, and support of numerous additional initiatives of department leadership.  The assistant manager will guide the operations team to meet the safety, reliability, and efficiency goals of the department by implementing and executing operation and reliability best practices.  This position reports to the DUES Operations Manager.  

Position Duties

• Develop and manage Lock-out and Tag Out (LOTO) procedures including writing and reviewing the procedures, auditing the procedures to assure compliance with ongoing changes in the facilities, and managing inventory of LOTO tools, parts, and logs.
• Lead strategic initiatives and functional testing procedures for all equipment in the steam and chilled water plants.  This includes identifying and analyzing safety and operational setpoints and failure modes of the equipment.  Write, review, and conduct functional testing to verify all components are working properly and document any issues that arise.  
• Assist in calibration efforts of the controls team.  Document and communicate automation and control related issues to the automation team through routine collaborative meetings.
• Assist in the managing of the water sampling and chemical testing process.  This includes working directly with Chemical treatment providers to verify accurate and consistent testing procedures, coordinating the necessary adjustments of chemical dosages, and reviewing data logs of chemical results and actions.  Oversee chemical treatment initiatives such as equipment rotation, urgent and important issues, controls communication, and manual override.
• Write, review, and manage operational procedures and train the Operations team to assure streamline, consistent operation of the equipment in the utility plants.  
• Assign, schedule and oversee the operational Preventative Maintenance (PM) procedures.  Report, document, and track performance metrics back to Operations Manager.
• Guide the operations team in troubleshooting efforts for issues associated with equipment including boilers, chillers, pumps, fans, compressors, etc.
• Serve as the key trainer for routine hands-on operations duties including performing rounds, LOTO procedures, and routine procedures in accordance with departmental training plan.
• Conduct daily meetings to establish effective and consistent communications between utility operators and operations management.
• Utility plant space management including space utilization and cleanliness, and documenting all necessary consumables and supplies. Ensure various types of hazardous materials, such as refrigerants, fuel oil, antifreeze, solvents, caustic soda are handled and stored properly.
• Oversee the routine conduction of electronic rounds including frequency, accuracy, and follow-up through asset management work order system.
• Support project needs through directing manual and automatic adjustments to accommodate contractors and vendors working in the utility plants.
• Participate in recurring O&M team meetings to assure equipment and plant dispatch needs are being met from a safety, efficiency and reliability perspective.
• Support the safety initiatives of the department by assuring operations team safety training is kept up to date, and that all safety related issues are addressed in a timely manner.
• Primary scheduling and time card approval for approximately twelve (12) utility plant operators
• Provide trend analysis and alarm analysis to define any automation issues and establish corrective measures.
• Observe and inspect work of the maintenance team on utility plant equipment. Ensure the proper use of materials, workmanship, and safety regulations are carried out.  Approve work before equipment is put back on line.
• Respond to emergency calls, on or off shift hours, concerning mechanical or electrical breakdowns with the utility plants or distribution systems, then troubleshoot these problems and facilitate the necessary repairs with the maintenance team.

Qualifications

• 10 Years directly related experience within a utility plant environment, including remote and local operation of steam boilers, centrifugal chillers, and utility distribution systems.
• Proven success in the development of others with a bias toward continuous improvement and successful communication skills

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Computer literate.  Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with work order management system, preferably Enterprise Asset Management (EAM)
• High level of organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning skills.
• Experience with software and SCADA programs capable of utility system monitoring and control 
• Experience with software designed for data collection and reporting - such as electronic round taking, chemical testing results and dashboard, etc.
• Capable of communicating and expressing ideas clearly and concisely, in both written and oral formats. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of an Associate's degree program.

Experience

10 Years directly related experience within a utility plant environment, including remote and local operation of steam boilers, centrifugal chillers, and utility distribution systems OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

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.