Chief Maintenance Engineer

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 73,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition benefits for employee and deps

Retirement savings options

Wellness programs

Job summary

Northwestern University is hiring for a position that manages the safe and efficient operation of building mechanical, plumbing, and control systems across campus. The role ensures high-pressure steam and chilled water distribution is maintained in line with sustainability policies and applicable codes.

The incumbent provides technical guidance to senior management, faculty, staff, and outside consultants, supporting design, installation, operation, and repair of campus systems while ensuring

Qualifications

• Requires City of Chicago Stationary Engineer's License or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Minimum two years of college in stationary, marine, or mechanical engineering or equivalent experience.
• Strong supervisory background in maintaining building systems and equipment.
• Proven communication skills and customer-focused approach.
• Familiarity with safety and building codes; knowledge of automation/controls a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and coordinates maintenance for plumbing, HVAC, and related infrastructure to meet annual budgets.
• Organizes work for planned and unscheduled tasks and ensures staff availability for emergencies.
• Maintains discipline and enforces policies per University guidelines; conducts appraisals.
• Prepares reports on facility condition, renewal needs, and maintenance activities; includes root-cause analyses.
• Identifies training opportunities to improve unit performance and safety.

Skills

Building systems

Supervisory experience

Mechanical engineering

Communication skills

Safety compliance

Education

City of Chicago Stationary Engineer's License

Two years college in stationary/mechanical engineering

Tools

CMMS Systems

PeopleSoft

MS Office

Auto control knowledge

Job description

Department: Facilities Mgmt EV

Salary/Grade: 399/S7

The target hiring rate for this position is $63.97 per hour, as established by the Local 399 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Job ID: 54586

Location: Evanston, Illinois

Job Summary

Manages the safe and efficient operation of all building mechanical, plumbing, and control systems including the associated utility distribution networks. This position ensures all campus mechanical (including high pressure steam and chilled water) and plumbing distribution systems, building utilities, environment, and equipment are maintained and operated properly and in compliance with University Sustainability policies and applicable codes. Reviews and evaluates mechanical and plumbing specifications and drawings, as well as installations, ensuring system functionality, maintainability, and accessibility. Provides technical advice to senior management, administration, faculty, staff, and outside consultants relative to design, installation, operation, and repair of campus systems.

The role will support the department's mission and values by exhibiting the following: inclusiveness, respect, initiative, collaboration, innovation, and accountability. The incumbent will strive to provide excellent service when performing job responsibilities and will practice safe work procedures, and follow safety rules at all times.

Specific Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and coordinates maintenance operations of building plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems and ancillary infrastructure to meet the established annual budget;
• Organizes work for planned and unscheduled maintenance tasks directed to building engineer staff for efficient and effective performance while ensuring that adequate staff is available to respond to irregularities and/or emergencies;
• Maintains good order and discipline among personnel consistent with University and departmental policies, initiating commendatory or corrective action as appropriate;
• Prepares written and oral reports on the condition, renewal needs, and routine maintenance of facilities, components, and related activities including post-incident summaries and root cause analyses;
• Identifies and recommends employee safety, technical, soft-skill training, and professional development opportunities as required to ensure optimum unit performance and development;
• Ensures compliance with applicable OSHA requirements and jurisdictional codes;
• Interviews and recommends hiring or promotion of qualified staff, and performs annual employee performance reviews of subordinate personnel;
• Estimates mechanical and plumbing related project work scope, budgets, and timelines;
• Participates in design and construction reviews for capital projects;
• Must be available and capable of responding to irregularities during evenings and weekends ensuring 24 hour, 7 day per week coverage.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Minimum of two years of college in stationary, marine, mechanical engineering, or the equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired;
• Minimum five years supervisory experience in planning, directing, and coordinating the maintenance of building systems and equipment;
• City of Chicago Stationary Engineer's License (or obtain within 6 months of start date) and have a minimum of five years high-pressure steam experience;
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license recognized by the State of Illinois, provide own reliable transportation, and purchase a University parking permit (as required);
• Be a member of Operating Engineers Local 399, or join after a satisfactory completion of a 90-day probationary period.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Thorough understanding of the steam and refrigeration cycles, and how they relate to building environmental systems and equipment. Knowledgeable of electrical distribution and safe working practices;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Exceptional customer relationship skills and the ability to establish effective working relationships in a diverse environment;
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to effectively motivate work groups toward defined and agreed upon common goals;
• Comprehensive knowledge of the tools, instruments, methods and standard trade/safety practices pertaining to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing;
• Ability to perform calculations applicable to field of experience;
• Working knowledge of BOCA, NFPA, State, Local, and other associated building codes;
• Ability to review construction drawings and make recommendations that will conform to University standards as well as complying with all pertinent codes;
• Receptive to feedback, willing to learn, embracing continuous improvement;
• Helpful, respectful, approachable and team oriented;
• Ability to build strong working relationships and a positive work environment;
• Seeks to build collaboration by encouraging trust, mutual respect and shared purpose;
• Balances listening and talking, speaks and writes clearly and accurately, keeps others informed;
• Integrates health and safety precautions into daily activities;
• Works effectively in an environment in which the parameters may change daily; adjusts behavior to meet the needs of different people and situations.
• Knowledge of Phoenix Controls, Aircuity, Automated Logic, Siemens Insight, Siemens Desigo, JCI Metasys, and Tridium frontends;
• Successfully uses multiple software program independently. Software may include Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, CMMS Systems, and Peoplesoft;
• Proficiency with mobile devices including iOS.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Facilitates open and effective communication, cooperation and teamwork within and outside of one's own team;
• Plans ahead, manages time well and arrives on time;
• Familiarity with zone maintenance models;
• Recommends improvements and opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce costs;
• Analytical skills including critical thinking, decision making, trouble shooting and problem solving, reading and interpreting technical drawings;
• Achieves a standard of excellence with work processes and outcomes, honoring University and Department policies and all regulatory requirements.

Benefits

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.