Steam Distribution Foreman

Position Summary

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.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

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.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

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 ).

Work Schedule

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.