Steam Distribution Foreman

Monday - Thursday
7:00AM - 5:30PM
Based on business needs, this position could be required to work nights, weekends and/or holidays.
This position participates in an on-call rotation.
This position is Emergency Duty, Adverse Weather and Communicable Disease Primary On-site Mandatory. This means it must report to work during periods of inclement weather, university emergency situation and/or public health emergency.

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The primary purpose of Cogeneration Systems is the generation of steam to the various buildings on the University campus and to the UNC Hospitals. Steam is critical to the operations of the University and UNC Hospitals. It is used for heating, cooling, domestic hot water, sterilization of surgical instrument, distilled water production, food preparation and dish washing. Cogeneration Systems also generates electricity as a byproduct of the steam generation. It can presently supply about 30 percent of the peak campus electrical load. Cogeneration Systems is part of UNC Energy Services.

A SIGN-ON BONUS OF $6953 IS AVAILABLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT OF THIS POSITION PAID IN 2 INSTALLMENTS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF HIRE: $3476.50 WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HIRE DATE AND $3476.50 12 MONTHS AFTER HIRE DATE.

This position will work at the highest technical level to lead work in the University's steam distribution system. The position will be able to take advanced technical direction from supervisors, superintendents, and engineers and use that information to work independently in solving the more complex maintenance matters in the steam distribution. The position will be able to lead and work with small workgroups for the duration of a project, or assigned duty shifts to accomplish complex maintenance goals. The position will be able to work with designers, contractors, and campus customers while coordinating all maintenance work associated with energy transfer to the customer's existing buildings or campus capital project. The central purpose of this position is to provide technical expertise and support for the Steam Distribution workgroup as a person with high level specialized skills in the arts and sciences of maintaining large scale industrial steam distribution systems. This position will bridge direction from the Steam Distribution supervisor to the craftsmen in the field while operating our large steam distribution network. This person will oversee, assist, guide, and coach others in the safe and reliable practices of operating large, complex steam distribution systems including interacting with customer's systems in some of the most complex research and hospital buildings in the nation. This position is a leader and technical expert in the specialties associated steam and heating hot water distribution management. This position will undertake a wide variety of diverse assignments requiring in depth analysis and diagnostic work, and will provide leadership, oversight, planning, assistance, guidance, and instructions to technicians at all levels to foster technical expertise in the work group. The position will observe the work of contractors preparing systems to join to the campus steam distribution network and contractors performing maintenance on live systems within the network. This position will work with consultants, contractors, and vendors of all types.

High school diploma or equivalency and two years of related experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. Requires certification(s).

The qualified candidate will be able to successfully demonstrate through a well-documented work history and through the interview process that they possess the character and qualities to fulfill the duties listed below. The qualified candidate will describe and demonstrate past work experiences where these skills have been directly applied in similar working conditions.

Logical Problem-Solving Skills: This position serves as a lead steam distribution specialist. As such this position will be a technical expert performing a wide array of diverse assignments requiring in-depth analysis and diagnostic work to determine the appropriate course of action. Demonstrated logical problem-solving skills are imperative.

Leadership/Mentorship: The position will assist, guide, and coach others. This position will obtain the necessary resources to carry out the operation, construction, modifications, repair, and maintenance of the steam distribution and heating hot water distribution systems and equipment and in doing so will train junior technicians to do the same. These systems consist of extremely complex and expansive distribution piping systems, vaults, tunnels, metering devices, pumps, motors, and other auxiliary equipment where training will require repetitive hands-on training in the field.

Physical Skill Set: This position will self-perform many aspects of operations & maintenance on the steam distribution system. The position will possess and maintain a high level of capability to self-perform repairs and maintenance at the highest level so that proper techniques can be demonstrated to junior technicians and such that the most critical repairs can be self-performed alongside junior technicians on a routine basis.

Water Hammer Awareness: The position must complete supervisor and engineer lead water hammer awareness training and demonstrate a strong understanding of the concepts and known risk factors. The position must then be able to apply that knowledge in the field and reinforce the training of junior technicians to ensure the mitigating practices are central to all system operational decisions. The position will use this knowledge to know when to halt work if necessary to regroup with the supervisor and superintendent for a revise plan of action.

Cordiality: This position will work closely with campus customers and their representatives. The position will coordinate with members of the public that do not understand our course of work, but none-the-less must be involved in the coordination of said work. The position must be able to communicate in a concise and cordial manner to help our customers understand the actions we must take to provide the necessary services to their facilities.

Organization: This position must be able to schedule and review work assignments, set daily objectives for the work unit, and prioritize assignments.

Steam distribution, power plant and/or general industrial operating and maintenance experience, working knowledge of personal computers and associated software applications, and experience with a work management system (Example - MAXIMO).

Valid NC Drivers' License.

The environmental conditions vary tremendously from clean, dry, air-conditioned spaces to dusty, humid, hot, cold, direct sun, precipitation, and windy conditions. This position must be able to work in said conditions for various lengths of time depending on the operational requirements, must be comfortable entering and working in confined spaces or hazardous environments with the appropriate PPE in accordance with established procedures, must have the ability to frequently ascend/descend ladders and stairs in buildings without elevators, must be able to lift/move equipment up to and occasionally exceeding 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation, must be able to wear a respirator and pass Environmental Health & Safety lead fit testing with or without reasonable accommodation, must be able to remain in a single or stationary location or position for extended periods of time. This position must be able to understand the operation of plant systems, distribution systems and equipment, must have a high degree of accuracy and technical skill when placing systems and equipment in and out of service, must be able to maintain a high level of attention to detail and mental concentration to operate the systems and equipment safely. The position must be able to obtain and maintain a NC Class C driver's license in order to operate State vehicles as a core part of the duties.

Not Applicable.

The selected candidate for this position may be eligible for a sign-on bonus. Qualified applicants must apply and be selected from the candidate pool of this posting and meet the State policy following requirements:

To be eligible for a Sign-on bonus, an individual must not have worked in a probationary, permanent, or time-limited appointment in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including without limitation the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system.

A newly hired permanent full time or permanent part-time (more than 20 hours a week) employee are eligible for a sign-on bonus (this will be prorated for employees working more than 20 hours and less than 40 hours per week).

This SHRA Sign-on Bonus is contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. All recipients must sign the Pay Back Agreement form. Additional information regarding the SHRA Sign-on Policy can be found https://oshr.nc.gov/policies/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy .

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.