Chilled Water Systems Manager

School of Government Services; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

School of Government Services is seeking a Chilled Water Systems Manager in Chapel Hill, NC. This role oversees the University of North Carolina's chilled water production and distribution for ~155 buildings, guiding planning, operation, maintenance, and expansion with a team of ~30 staff.

The position emphasizes safety, reliability, and cost-efficiency. The candidate will lead long-range infrastructure planning, system capacity analysis, and capital improvements, while coordinating with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• Five years of progressive engineering and supervisory experience or equivalent.
• 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 for the chilled water system.
• Perform system modeling and capacity planning.
• Recommend capital improvement projects in alignment with campus needs.
• Direct system operations and maintenance across plants and networks.
• Oversee engineering, procurement, construction, and asset management.
• Lead emergency response and ensure safety standards.
• Develop supervisors and staff; manage training and performance.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field

Strong leadership, budgeting, communication, and problem-solving skills

Advanced utility and mechanical systems knowledge

Job description

Job Title: Chilled Water Systems Manager

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

Full-time, benefits-eligible position

Organization Summary

Founded in 2020, School of Government Services (SOG Services) is an associated entity of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a nonprofit organization, SOG Services supports the faculty and staff of the School of Government in advancing the School's mission to improve the lives of North Carolinians by engaging in practical scholarship that helps public officials and citizens understand and improve state and local government.

Through this work, SOG Services also supports the broader public service, educational, and research missions of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the UNC System.

Department Information

The Energy Services Department is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and reliability of the University’s critical utility infrastructure, including steam, electric power, chilled water, reclaimed water, potable water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.

Schedule and Work Location

Work Schedule:

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Occasional weekend and off-hours emergency work is required.

Location:

UNC Chilled water plants and decentralized plants and campus distribution network.

Work Arrangement:

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.

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.