Hydronics Systems Operations Manager

Job Title

Hydronics Systems Operations Manager

This position is directly responsible for the operation, maintenance, and strategic planning of the geothermal, chilled water, and heating hot water production and distribution systems on the Oxford and regional campuses. The Hydronics Systems Operations Manager manages personnel, annual budgets, and maintenance activities, monitoring budget and operations to provide reliable and cost-effective utility service to the university community as the primary technical authority for thermal utility systems.

• System Operations & Maintenance: Develop, implement, and document preventative and predictive maintenance programs for chillers, pumps, process controls, and piping within the plant and distribution system; provide automated monitoring of all equipment; purchase and maintain parts inventories.
• Supervision & Leadership: Directly supervise and provide technical leadership to hydronics systems technicians; oversee unit operations, set priorities, review completed jobs, and manage the annual operating and capital improvement budgets.
• Emergency Response & System Integrity: Provide expert technical support during campus emergencies or power failures on a 24‑hour, 7‑day basis; schedule routine equipment shutdowns and develop standard operating procedures for production, storage, distribution, and emergency recovery.
• Project Management & Design Review: Review the design and installation of thermal distribution equipment and revenue metering in new construction and renovated buildings; develop and maintain written standards for new equipment and installation requirements; coordinate with project managers and regional campus staff on new service installations and utility shutdowns.
• Strategic Planning & Financial Management: Drive campus energy‑efficiency goals by monitoring customer demands and utility pricing; set operating schedules for plant operations and thermal water storage to reduce energy consumption and control peak demand; develop short‑ and long‑term plans for campus‑wide thermal distribution service.
• Safety & Compliance: Monitor the use of personal protective equipment and procedures; coordinate and document safety training for key university employees to maintain high operational standards.

Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus a minimum of five (5) years of full‑time experience managing, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system; or related associate’s degree with a minimum of eight (8) years of full‑time experience; or a minimum of ten (10) years of full‑time, verifiable experience.

Requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to be a qualified driver under the University’s MVR policy.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a minimum of five (5) years of full‑time experience programming, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system.
• Direct experience managing a complex hydronic system in a university, hospital, or similar large‑campus environment.
• Experience managing a unionized technical staff.
• EPA 608 Universal Refrigerant license.
• Professional certification such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Energy Management Professional (EMP), or Certified Energy Procurement Professional (CEP).

• Specific Knowledge: Deep working knowledge of large‑scale thermal water production and distribution systems, including centrifugal chillers, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers, and geothermal well fields; strong understanding of water‑treatment principles for closed and open‑loop systems.
• Technical Understanding: Proven ability to read and interpret complex piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), mechanical drawings, and control schematics for planning and troubleshooting.
• Leadership & Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, at all organizational levels and with third‑party vendors; able to lead a technical team and respond quickly during time‑sensitive situations.
• Managerial Complexity: Ability to handle a wide range of complex technical and…