Utility Plant Operations Supervisor - req# 33556

Are you a seasoned utility operations leader ready to take the reins of one of the most vital departments on campus? If so, we want to meet you!

The Utility Services Department at the University of New Mexico (UNM) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Utility Plant Operations Supervisor to lead the charge in maintaining uninterrupted utility services across our vibrant campus. You’ll oversee and coordinate operations at our main and remote utility plants, ensuring the seamless delivery of steam, chilled water, potable water, natural gas, electricity, and compressed air.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead with Purpose: Supervise and inspire a skilled team of utility plant operators and technicians, handling scheduling, training, evaluations, and daily support.
• Ensure 24/7 Reliability: Manage the operation of high-pressure boilers, large-capacity chillers (700 to 2000 tons), 7.7 MW gas turbine generators, and associated auxiliary systems.
• Maintain Top Performance: Monitor performance, analyze operational data, investigate abnormal events, and adjust systems to maximize efficiency and reliability.
• Enforce Safety & Compliance: Guarantee that all operations comply with University policies, engineering specifications, and local/state/federal safety and environmental standards.
• Develop Your Team: Provide hands-on training, coordinate internal knowledge transfer, and support ongoing technical development and certification.
• Drive Collaboration: Partner with other departments, vendors, and engineering teams to ensure timely maintenance and strategic improvements.

What You Bring:

• Experience: Experience operating and maintaining complex utility systems, including boilers, chillers, gas turbines, and auxiliary equipment.
• Leadership: Proven ability to supervise rotating shifts, manage overtime fairly, mentor junior staff, and foster a culture of accountability and safety.
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of utility plant engineering, water systems, chemical treatment, and energy distribution.
• Communication Skills: Able to effectively coach, report, document, and collaborate across diverse teams and management levels.
• Computer Proficiency: Comfortable using software tools for maintenance tracking, reporting, and procedural documentation.

Why Work at UNM?

Working as a staff member at UNM offers a range of exciting benefits, including:

1. Comprehensive Healthcare: Access to competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

2. Retirement Plans: Pension plus additional retirement options with generous employer contributions.

3. Paid Time Off: Up to 168 hours of vacation, 96 hours of sick leave annually, and 11 paid holidays.

4. Professional Development: Tuition remission for employees and dependents, plus career advancement opportunities.

5. Wellness Programs: Access to fitness facilities and wellness resources to support your health.

6. Community Engagement: Be part of a diverse, inclusive campus with vibrant cultural and recreational life.

7. Job Security: Join New Mexico’s flagship university and enjoy stable, respected public service employment.

At UNM, you’re not just taking on a job-you’re stepping into a career where your work makes a real difference every single day.

Apply now to become the Utility Plant Operations Supervisor and play a critical role in powering the success of the University of New Mexico.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver's license is a requirement for this job.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• Must have and maintain New Mexico CID Low- and High-Pressure Boiler Operator Licenses (BO1) and (BO2).
• Must have and maintain NMED Water Supply Level 3 (WS3) certificate.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.
• Must have Basic First Aid and Adult CPR/AED Certificates or obtain within 3 months of date of hire.

High school diploma or GED; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Certification/Licensure: New Mexico CID Low Pressure Boiler License; New Mexico CID High Pressure Boiler License; and New Mexico Environment Division (NMED) Water Supply Level 3 (WS3) certificate.

· Overtime Management: Proven ability to schedule, coordinate, and track overtime to support 24/7/365 operations, ensuring fairness and maintaining accurate records for internal and external audits.

· Training Coordination: Experience in organizing and managing in-house training programs aimed at helping less experienced operations technicians gain the skills to safely and efficiently operate, start, and shut down diverse plant equipment.

· Work Order Oversight: Ability to assign, monitor, and ensure timely completion and closure of preventive and corrective maintenance work orders within the operations team.

· Team Leadership: Strong interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with, coach, support, and, when necessary, discipline direct reports while fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment.

· Managerial Collaboration: Willingness and ability to accept direction and feedback from management constructively.

· Cross-Department Communication: Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with team members, coworkers, and personnel across departments within the utilities division.

· Technical Experience: Minimum of five years of hands-on experience in the operation and maintenance of high-pressure boilers, large-capacity chillers (700 to 2000 tons), 7.7 MW gas turbine generators, and associated auxiliary systems.

Only applications submitted throughthe official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this jobadvertisement on a 3rd party site, pleasevisit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.