Central Plant Manager (Inst)

UWMIL University of Wisconsin Milwaukee; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Central Plant Manager at UWMIL University of Wisconsin Milwaukee oversees multiple campus utility plants, managing both strategic and daily operations. This role involves supervising the centralized heating and cooling plant and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's in Engineering, with at least five years of leadership experience in utility systems. Salary range is $110,000–$120,000 based on experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of utility or plant leadership experience.
• Experience operating and maintaining plant equipment and systems.
• Experience analyzing performance and implementing optimization strategies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of heating and cooling production.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory reporting and maintenance requirements.
• Build effective relationships with university personnel and stakeholders.

Skills

Utility or plant utilities system leadership experience

Maintenance and operation of utility or industrial plant utilities

Technical and project management skills

Operation and maintenance of plant equipment

Energy optimization strategies

Budget management in operations environment

PLC-based control systems operation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize and schedule plant activities.
• Direct heating and cooling production; coordinate equipment availability, chemical treatment, and supervise plant staff.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory data reporting, maintenance requirements, and standard procedures.
• Build effective relationships across all UW System, state agencies, vendors, and students.
• Oversee daily operations 24/7/365, ensuring safe and efficient operation of four high‑pressure steam boilers (natural gas and #2 ultra‑low sulfur oil) and three chillers.
• Operate PLCs, MMI devices, and Variable Frequency Drives; maintain underground fuel oil tank records in compliance with U.S. EPA and Wisconsin regulations.
• Maintain emissions and operational records; prepare project requests for small projects and all‑agency submissions.
• Foster effective relationships with university personnel, administration staff, contractors, vendors, and students.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field, 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 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.
• Experience operating and maintaining plant equipment individually and in interconnected systems.
• 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 a American Society of Power Engineers (ASOPE) 2nd Class Power Plant Operators License or equivalent.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Direct experience managing construction projects.
• Knowledge of the Heating Plant Section of the Division of Facilities Development.
• Thorough understanding of plant equipment, operations, steam and chilled water distribution, high‑pressure boiler maintenance and operation, and large‑tonnage chiller operation.

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

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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.

Reasonable Accommodations: Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment.