Chilled Water Systems Manager

APPA; Chapel Hill (NC); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC School of Government Services seeks a Chilled Water Systems Manager to oversee the production and distribution of chilled water across campus. You will plan, engineer, operate, and maintain a complex network serving ~155 buildings with a team of about 30 staff.

The role requires strong leadership, extensive knowledge of chilled water plants, distribution systems, and plant control systems, plus experience with budgeting and long-range infrastructure planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 5+ years of progressive engineering and supervisory experience.
• Experience managing complex utility, industrial, or infrastructure systems.
• Advanced utility and mechanical systems knowledge.
• Strong leadership, budgeting, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-range infrastructure plans and capacity modeling.
• Direct system operations, maintenance, and asset management.
• Oversee budgeting, procurement, and capital project execution.
• Lead emergency response and ensure safety and reliability.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Communication

Problem-solving

Regulatory knowledge

Safety knowledge

Education

PE license or NC eligibility

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

None

Job description

Job Title: Chilled Water Systems Manager

Salary Range: $130,000 - $150,000

Full-time, benefits-eligible position

Department Information

The Energy Services Department consists of five groups: (1) Cogeneration Systems (generates electricity and steam, and the distribution of steam throughout campus and UNC Hospitals); (2) Electric Distribution Systems (distribution of electrical power throughout campus); (3) Chilled Water Systems (producing and distributing chilled water throughout campus); (4) Water, Wastewater and Stormwater (for the use and conservation of water, as well as the proper management of stormwater and runoff); and (5) Administration (provides GIS, SCADA, coordination of operational information technologies, strategic planning, and management functions). Together these five groups provide safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective steam, electricity, chilled water, sanitary sewer, reclaimed water, and potable water utility services to the University’s campus.

The primary purpose of Chilled Water Systems is the cooling and distribution of water to various buildings on the University campus. Chilled Water is critical to the University’s operations, being used for the cooling of residential, academic, and research buildings.

Schedule and Work Location

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Evenings/Weekends

Occasional weekend and off-hours emergency work is required.

Location

UNC's chilled water plants, decentralized plants, and campus chilled water distribution network.

Work Arrangement

• In-Person
• Hybrid
• Remote

Note: Remote and hybrid work arrangements may be reviewed annually and are subject to change based on business need.

Position Summary

The Chilled Water Systems Manager serves as the principal mechanical engineering authority for the University's chilled water production and entire distribution system, supporting approximately 155 buildings across the main campus and satellite locations. This position is responsible for the planning, engineering, operation, maintenance, reliability, and expansion of a complex chilled water network and provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective utility services with a staff of approximately 30 employees. The position leads long-range infrastructure planning, system capacity analysis, capital improvements, and the safe and reliable operation of the chilled water system. The Manager oversees operations, maintenance, engineering, construction, asset management, budgeting, and emergency response while promoting safety, reliability, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate must have strong knowledge of central chilled water plants, distribution systems, chillers, pumps, cooling towers, and plant control systems, including PLC, SCADA, and DCS. The position also requires an understanding of chilled and condenser water chemistry and treatment principles necessary to maintain equipment performance and system reliability. The Manager provides leadership to supervisors, engineers, operators, and technical staff and works closely with consultants, contractors, and campus stakeholders to support current operations and long-term system needs.

This position has been posted by and is sponsored by UNC School of Government Services.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and System Development

• Develop long-range infrastructure plans.
• Perform system modeling and capacity planning.
• Recommend capital improvement projects.
• Collaborate with consultants and campus stakeholders.

Budget Management and Financial Oversight

• Develop and manage operating and maintenance budgets.
• Monitor expenditures and forecasts.
• Support long-range financial planning and reporting.

Operational Leadership and System Management

• Direct system operations and maintenance
• Oversee engineering, procurement, construction, and asset management.
• Maintain safe work practices and operational standards.
• Lead emergency response and recovery efforts.

Additional Leadership Management

• Lead and develop supervisors, engineers, operators, and technical staff.
• Oversee workforce planning, performance management, training, and employee development.
• Promote safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic direction for operational excellence and system reliability.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities)

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• Five years of progressive engineering and supervisory experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex utility, industrial, or infrastructure systems.
• Advanced utility and mechanical systems knowledge.
• Strong leadership, budgeting, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory and safety requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or eligibility in North Carolina.
• Experience with chilled water, district energy, or similar utility systems.
• Demonstrated success leading technical and operational teams.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Office-based with regular visits to utility plants and construction sites.
• Occasional climbing, confined-space access, and exposure to industrial environments.
• Participation in emergency response and adverse weather operations.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an 'at will' relationship.