Plant Maintenance Foreman - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill : Job Details

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.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

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.

Position Summary

INTERNAL ONLY: Internal posting for permanent, time-limited, layoff priority employees of UNC-Chapel Hill, and temporary employees hired directly by UNC-Chapel Hill only.

This position will work at the highest technical level to lead work in the University's steam generating, electrical generating, and electrical co-generating facilities. 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 facilities. 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 system OEMs while carrying out safe maintenance practices required in a modern complex facility where a high level of coordination and group lock-out strategies are required. The central purpose of this position is to provide technical expertise and support for the Plant Maintenance workgroup as a person with high level specialized skills in the arts and sciences of maintaining large scale industrial facilities where pressures as high as 2,000 psig and voltages as high as 13,000 volts are generated. This position will bridge direction from the Plant Maintenance supervisor to the craftsmen in the field while maintaining a wide variety, and disparate set of plant systems. This person will oversee, assist, guide, and coach others in the safe and reliable practices of maintaining large, complex steam and power generating systems while working inside the most complex industrial facilities in the State's inventory. This position is a leader and technical expert in the specialties associated with steam and power generation including but not limited to: high pressure water and steam, hydraulic and pneumatic controls, chilled water production, circulating fluidized bed boilers, high speed blowers, mills, pumps, fans, cooling towers, burner systems (solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels), and pneumatic transport. The position will be highly skilled in the processes of group lock-out procedures to ensure safety while working in a facility where virtually all equipment is remotely operated using a Distributed Control System (DCS). 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, oversee, and coordinate with the work of contractors assisting with maintenance and repairs as well as projects to enhance facility operation and readiness. This position will work with consultants, contractors, and vendors of all types.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

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

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 technical maintenance 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 large steam and power generating systems, and in doing so will train junior technicians to do the same. These systems consist of boilers, turbines, complex and expansive piping networks, valves, pumps, motors, blowers, 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 maintenance on the facilities' most critical systems. 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. The area of work will cover diverse assignments that require in-depth analysis and diagnostic work to determine the appropriate course of action needed for complex systems. This position will be able to carry out the construction, modifications, repair, and maintenance of the plant mechanical systems and equipment. These systems consist of extremely complex coal-fired boilers, sorbent feed systems, steam turbines, generators, land fill gas flare, and auxiliary equipment. These systems operate by using the plant Distributive Control System (DCS), and the specialist will maintain a working knowledge of that interface sufficient that they may properly coordinate with operations personnel to render equipment safe to work on via group lock-out-tag-out policies.Coordination: This position will routinely coordinate with a variety of other specialties within the plant environment, including operations, instrument & controls, and engineering personnel. The position will also coordinate with outside vendors, OEMs, systems experts, and contractors. The position must possess a high level of coordination ability to work effectively with a wide array of subject matter experts so that they may work safely and effectively together while inside of a dynamic facility still under operation.

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

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).

Required Licenses/Certifications

Valid NC Drivers' License.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

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.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Position/Schedule Requirements Evening work, Exposure to Hazardous Materials, Night work, Overtime, Rotating shifts, Shift work, Valid NC Driver's License, Weekend work Special Instructions

INTERNAL ONLY: Internal posting for permanent, time-limited, layoff priority employees of UNC-Chapel Hill, and temporary employees hired directly by UNC-Chapel Hill only.

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