Hydronics Systems Operations Manager

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Oxford (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Hydronics Systems Operations Manager in Oxford, Ohio, to oversee the operation and maintenance of geothermal and heating water systems. This role includes strategic planning, budget management, and ensuring safety compliance.

The ideal candidate has a degree in a relevant field with significant experience in hydronic systems and strong leadership skills. The position offers a salary range of $85,000 to $115,000, with eligibility for benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of full-time experience managing a complex hydronic system.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Experience programming and installing hydronic systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and document maintenance programs for hydronic systems.
• Provide technical leadership to hydronic systems technicians.
• Monitor and ensure safety compliance in all operations.

Skills

Leadership & Communication

Technical Understanding

Specific Knowledge

Managerial Complexity

Computer Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Related associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Job Title

Hydronics Systems Operations Manager

Department

Energy Systems

Worker Type

Regular

Pay Type

Salary

Position Salary

Minimum: 85,000 | Maximum: 115,000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefit Eligible

Yes

Job Description Summary

This position is directly responsible for the operation, maintenance, and strategic planning of the geothermal, chilled‑water, and heating hot‑water production and distribution systems on the Oxford and regional campuses. The Hydronics Systems Operations Manager is responsible for the management of involved personnel, annual budgets, and maintenance activities. The purpose of this position is to monitor both budget and operations to provide reliable and cost‑effective utility service to the university community, serving as the university's primary technical authority for thermal utility systems.

Essential Duties

• System Operations & Maintenance: Develops, implements, and documents preventive and predictive maintenance programs for chillers, pumps, process controls, and piping within the plant and throughout the distribution system. Provides continual automated monitoring of all equipment to ensure reliable operation. Purchases and maintains parts inventories.
• Supervision & Leadership: Provides direct supervision and technical leadership to university hydronic systems technicians. Oversees unit operations, sets priorities, reviews completed jobs, and manages the annual operating and capital improvement budgets for the thermal utility systems.
• Emergency Response & System Integrity: Provides expert technical support during any campus emergency and/or power failure event as needed on a 24‑hour, 7‑day‑a‑week basis. Is responsible for scheduling routine equipment and system shutdowns and developing written standard operating procedures for production, storage, distribution, and emergency recovery situations.
• Project Management & Design Review: Reviews the design and installation of thermal distribution equipment and revenue metering in new construction and renovated buildings. Develops and maintains written standards for new equipment and installation requirements. Coordinates with project managers and regional campus staff on new service installations and utility shutdowns.
• Strategic Planning & Financial Management: Drives campus energy efficiency goals by predicting and monitoring fluctuating customer demands and electric utility pricing. Sets operating schedules for plant operations and thermal water storage to reduce energy consumption and control peak demand. Develops short‑ and long‑term plans for campus‑wide thermal distribution service to achieve cost savings while meeting future campus needs.
• Safety & Compliance: Monitors the use of personal protective equipment and procedures to ensure all maintenance and testing operations are conducted in a safe manner. Coordinates and documents safety training for key university employees to maintain high operational standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus a minimum of five (5) years of full‑time experience managing, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system.
• Related associate’s degree plus a minimum of eight (8) years of full‑time experience managing, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of full‑time, verifiable experience managing, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system.
• Requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to be a qualified driver under the Universities MVR policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering plus a minimum of five (5) years of full‑time experience programming, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system.
• Direct experience managing a complex hydronic system in a university, hospital, or similar large‑campus environment.
• Experience managing a unionized technical staff.
• EPA 608 Universal Refrigerant license.
• Professional certification such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Energy Management Professional (EMP), or Certified Energy Procurement Professional (CEP).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Specific Knowledge: Deep working knowledge of large‑scale thermal water production and distribution systems, including centrifugal chillers, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers, and geothermal well fields. Strong understanding of water treatment principles for closed and open‑loop systems.
• Technical Understanding: Proven ability to read and interpret complex piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), mechanical drawings, and control schematics for planning and troubleshooting purposes.
• Leadership & Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, at all levels within the organization and with third‑party vendors. Must be able to lead a technical team and respond quickly and effectively during time‑sensitive situations.
• Managerial Complexity: Must be able to successfully handle a wide range of complex technical and managerial tasks with frequent independent interpretation and decision‑making. Strong budgeting, administrative, and long‑range capital planning abilities are required.
• Physical Requirements: Physical effort requires considerable walking and standing, with some lifting of materials weighing 25 to 50 pounds. Periodically, assignments may entail dealing with modestly unpleasant physical situations.
• Computer Skills: Must be proficient in the use of business application software and experienced in the use of a computerized maintenance management software (CMMS).

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination, and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices.