Central Plant Manager (Inst)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is seeking a Central Plant Manager to oversee multiple campus utility plants and manage daily operations. The role includes directing heating and cooling production, scheduling plant activities, and ensuring compliance across state and university reporting requirements.

The position requires a BS in Engineering or related field with at least five years of utility leadership experience, and hands-on work with PLC-based control systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of utility or plant utilities system leadership experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of work experience in maintenance and operation of utility or industrial plant utilities production systems.
• Demonstrated experience working with engineering plans and specifications.
• Evidence of technical and project management skills to design and execute projects.
• Demonstrated experience with operating and maintaining plant equipment both individually and interconnected systems.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing plant performance and implementing energy optimization strategies.
• Experience creating and managing budgets in an operations environment.
• Prior experience operating PLC-based control systems, including operations and troubleshooting of input/output devices and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Confers with plant staff on production priorities and scheduling, equipment availability, chemical treatment, and personnel issues.
• Oversees maintenance and capital projects in progress.
• Develops, plans, and participates in startup and commissioning activities.
• Develops and implements policies to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient central plant operation.
• Supervises at least 2.0 FTE employees, including hiring, performance, and conduct management.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Budget management

PLC operation

Energy optimization

Plant utilities experience

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field

Job description

Central Plant Manager (Inst)

Milwaukee, WI - Full Time

Position Title: Central Plant Manager (Inst)

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Heat/Cool Plant Manager (Inst)

Job Duties: The Central Plant Manager oversees multiple campus utility plants and is responsible for both strategic and daily operations. Reporting to the Associate Director of Facility Services, this position manages the state‑owned centralized heating and cooling plant serving the UW‑Milwaukee Kenwood Campus, as well as six satellite plants. Key responsibilities include prioritizing and scheduling plant activities; directing heating and cooling production; coordinating equipment availability, chemical treatment, and supervising plant staff. Responsible for compliance with multiple entities for data reporting, maintenance requirements, and standard procedures. The manager creates effective relationships across the UW system, state agencies, vendors, and students. The role also performs a full range of duties in a 24/7/365 operation, ensuring safe and efficient operation, monitoring, and maintenance of four high‑pressure steam boilers (natural gas and #2 ultra‑low sulfur oil) and three chillers supplying all major campus buildings. Additional duties include operating programmable logic controllers and associated man‑machine interface devices, variable frequency drive; maintaining underground fuel oil tank records in compliance with U.S. EPA and Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services regulations; maintaining emissions and operational records; and preparing project requests for small projects and all‑agency submissions. The role also requires fostering effective relationships with university personnel, Department of Administration staff, contractors, vendors, and students.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Confers with plant staff on a daily basis to establish steam and compressed air production, chilling priorities, electricity generation, and to discuss equipment availability, chemical treatment operation, work scheduling, and personnel problems
• Oversees maintenance and capital projects in progress
• Develops, plans, and participates in startup and commissioning activities
• Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient use of the central plants
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full‑time equivalent (FTE) employees

Department: Facilities, Planning and Management. The department is committed to promoting respect and civility in the workplace and serves as a role model by practicing exemplary behaviors when working with customers, faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The mission is to provide a safe, sustainable, and accessible physical environment that supports learning, research, work, life, and recreation, supporting the academic and strategic objectives of the University of Wisconsin‑Milwaukee.

Compensation: $110,000 - $120,000 (Salary will be determined by finalist's knowledge, skills, and experience)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field or a combination of related education and experience
• Minimum of five (5) years of utility or plant utilities system leadership experience
• Minimum of five (5) years of work experience in the maintenance and operation of utility or industrial plant utilities production systems
• Demonstrated experience working with engineering plans and specifications
• Evidence of technical and project management skills to design and execute projects
• Demonstrated experience with operating and maintaining plant equipment both individually and interconnected systems
• Demonstrated experience analyzing plant performance and implementing energy optimization strategies
• Experience creating and managing budgets in an operations environment
• Prior experience operating PLC‑based control systems, including operations and troubleshooting of input/output devices and related equipment

Preferred Qualifications

• WI Professional Engineering license (PE)
• Ten or more years of progressive utility system supervisory experience
• Possession of an American Society of Power Engineers (ASPE) 2nd Class Power Plant Operators License or equivalent
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Direct experience managing any construction projects
• Knowledge of the Heating Plant Section of the Division of Facilities Development
• Evidence of thorough understanding of plant equipment, operations, steam and chilled water distribution, high‑pressure boiler maintenance and operation, and large tonnage chiller operation

How to Apply

Interested applicants are required to apply online and provide a cover letter and resume addressing their professional level work experience as it relates to all required and preferred qualifications. Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application. Applications missing any of the required documents listed prior to the application deadline will be marked as incomplete and will not be considered.

This position is a continuous recruitment with an initial review date of 6/15/2026. To ensure consideration, applications must be submitted by 6/14/2026. Applications submitted after 6/14/2026 may not be reviewed.

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from the candidate's application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications. Additional documents submitted aside from a cover letter and resume will not be reviewed.

This position does not offer visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I‑9 form upon hire. Finalist candidate(s) being considered for hire will be required to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified.

Contact Information

Emily Jensen
[e-mail]

Reasonable Accommodations

Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact [e-mail] or 414‑229‑4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials

UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy

Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM's Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229‑4632 for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization

In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

To Apply

To apply, visit https://wisconsin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UW_Milwaukee/job/Milwaukee-WI/Central-Plant-Manager--Inst-_JR10010578