How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
The University of Michigan Ann Arbor Utilities Department operates a Combined Cycle Cogeneration Central Power Plant (CPP). The CPP supplies much of campus and the University hospital system with electricity, compressed air, domestic hot water, and high and low pressure steam. The Central Power Plant has boilers, HRSGs, steam turbines, air compressors, combustion turbines, and many associated Systems.
This position is primarily responsible for supervision of the plant Instrumentation and Controls Technicians, as well as the plant Electricians. This individual will plan and guide the work of these employees, administer the union contracts, and provide coaching, corrective feedback and discipline as needed. This individual will be a member of the CPP management team, and will report directly to the Central Power Plant Associate Director. This person is expected to work with a variety of individuals at many levels of the organization, working both independently and as part of a team. The successful candidate will be self-directed, and is expected to provide insights into plant operation while enacting proactive improvements to processes and programs.
The staff of the CPP hope to achieve excellence in all we do, striving for the utmost reliability for our customers, complying with environmental regulations, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and ensuring a safe work environment for everyone, while maintaining a positive work environment.
Who We Are
Utilities is a division of Facilities and Operations, made up of 135 dedicated employees responsible for providing utilities services for the university 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Services include campus-wide utilities purchasing, generation, and distribution, as well as metering and billing energy consumption for all university buildings. Distribution includes the operations and maintenance of 300 miles of underground utility systems from outdoor lighting and high voltage circuits to water mains to tunnel piping. The division also provides a wide range of engineering services primarily dedicated to energy management, the operations and maintenance of university facilities, and the utilities infrastructure.
Why Work at Michigan?
Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.
Responsibilities*
Responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:
- Provide expertise, leadership, and supervision for the work of Central Power Plant Instrument & Controls Technicians and Central Power Plant Electricians.
- Maintain a thorough and detailed knowledge and understanding of all CPP power production systems and their components.
- Maintain, organize and order supplies, spare parts and equipment for projects and inventory.
- Manage contracted services as required to keep CPP control and monitoring systems functioning at 100% optimal performance.
- Oversee and plan the maintenance, programming and software updates/corrections of the CPP Distributed Control System (DCS), PLC based equipment, Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS), relays, and various associated control devices and recorders.
- Plan and supervise all IC&E related tasks during unit outages and overhauls to ensure completion within specified schedule.
- Work with University EHS staff and plant Operations team to ensure all air permit preventative maintenance tasks are completed as required.
- Responsible for Plant Data Historian: Ensure 100% continuous recording of data, proper and prompt addition of new points. Coordinate repair activities with University IT group.
- Plant subject matter expert on control systems, logic, relays, analytical equipment and electrical systems, VFDs, PLCs, DCS, etc. Provide guidance and help technicians locate and repair malfunctions and defects down to component level.
- Ensure that specialized IC&E PPE is tested and replaced as needed.
- Analyze and interpret data to discover patterns and/or discrepancies in systems and their associated control devices and programs.
- Ensure P&ID drawings, instrumentation manuals, DCS database, specification sheets, instrument index, plant equipment and testing equipment calibration records, and other data are updated and maintained accurately.
- Provide support and participate in Capital Project planning and design, including the review and approval of drawings, blueprints, specifications and other related documents.
- Participate in Root Cause Analysis investigations.
- Manage the training program for the plant I&C technicians and electricians.
- Evaluate new technology, control equipment, and systems.
- Develop and write procedures, spreadsheets and databases as required.
- Temporarily fill in for supervisors of the mechanical maintenance and operations group during periods of leave and vacation.
- Coordinate preventative and corrective work activities with plant planner, mechanical maintenance supervisor, and operations group.
- This position will be responsible for coordinating Cyber Security monitoring and improvement efforts with the University IT and Cyber Security Group.
- This position will also require good personal communication skills with both hourly and salaried positions as well as outside contractors and engineering firms.
- Exhibit expertise of medium voltage switchgear (2.4 KV & 13.2 KV) knowledge both in troubleshooting and maintenance procedures.
- Experience working with 110 volt, 220 volt, and 480 volt electrical and control systems.
- Exhibit a good knowledge of working in a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
- Proficient in electrical construction techniques and materials.
- Must be able to perform the full range of duties, with or without a reasonable accommodation, in the classification in an environment that has high levels of heat and noise. This role positions self to traverse under and over obstacles, ascends/descends ladders, and occasionally moves powerhouse equipment and materials weighing up to 50lbs.
- Act in accordance with the Facilities and Operations' guiding principles: collaboration, respect, proactive, solutions-based, and responsibility to the environment.
Required Qualifications*
- BS Degree in Electrical Engineering plus four years minimum working experience in a Power Plant or Industrial workplace; or Military Training and eight years controls/electrical/electronic working experience; or AAS Degree at an Accredited Electronic Trade School and eight years working experience; or journeyman electricians license and eight years working experience; or graduation from High School or GED with ten years of controls/electrical/electronic working experience in a Power Plant, Industry, or Marine Environment.
- Practical knowledge, ability and experience with the operation and maintenance of power generation control and electrical systems.
- Good troubleshooting skills and the ability to think of creative solutions for technical issues.
- Ability to proficiently use Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Google software.
Desired Qualifications*
- Bachelor of Science Degree (BSEE) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering; journeyman electricians license, or AAS degree from accredited electronic trade school.
- Power Plant or Industrial work experience.
- Knowledge of calibration procedures for temperature and pressure instrumentation.
- Previous supervisory experience.
- Previous experience working in a union environment.
- LSA Level One Electronics Technician Certification or higher.
- Ten (10) + years of experience in a Power Plant, refinery or petrochemical facility.
- Ability to develop and manage financial budgets.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.